For the first time ever in all the Top Model franchises, a transgender has been hailed as the ultimate winner, with Loiza Lamers winning in "Holland's Next Top Model" Cycle 8.
"Holland's Next Top Model" Cycle 8 has ended with a history, crowning a transgender as its grand winner. Loiza, 20, is a former hairdresser and make-up artist. She outshined 12 other contestants in the competition, bringing almost $80,000 prize money and a modeling contract with Touché Models, News.com.au reported.
Throwback of an awesome day!! #amazing
A photo posted by Loiza Lamers (@loizalamers) on Nov 1, 2015 at 1:49am PST
The production of HNTM reportedly had no idea that Loiza is a transgender and the model chose not to reveal it. She only admitted that she had a gender reassignment two years ago when had secured a spot in the top 13.
Lamers told the host, "I'm really at a point where I can say I am very proud to be transgender."
She also told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, "When I announced that I was born a boy, I knew I would face attention." She added, "Luckily I received nothing but nice and sweet reactions to my participation from people. And anyone who took offence just walked circles around me."
After winning the competition, she posted on her Instagram (translated), "I really am the luckiest woman in the world! 1000 times thank you lovely people!"
The first transgender who joined the Top Model was Isis King, in Cycle 11 of "America's Next Top Model." Isis returned to the All Stars edition, "America's Next Top Model" Cycle 17.
After 12 years on television, Tyra Banks announced that ANTM Cycle 22 will be the show's last. She told ET, "I think it's time. You want to leave while you're on top. What are we going to do? We've done girls, guys, guys and girls, we can't do children ... I think we've done enough."
