Transgender Model Lea T. Makes Her First Post-Op Runway Appearance
By Nora Crotty Monday, May 14, 2012 / 10:52 AM
http://fashionista.com/2012/05/transgender-model-lea-t-makes-her-first-post-op-runway-appearance/Lea T. took to the runway in São Paulo Saturday night in celebration of Elle Brazil's 24th anniversary–but her turn on the catwalk marked an important personal landmark in the model's career as well: According to Made in Brazil blog's Juliana Ribeiro, this is Lea T's first modeling job after undergoing sexual reassignment surgery. The model opened up about her plans to have surgery when she went on Oprah in February of last year, telling Oprah, "Of course physically, this operation is a big operation...But at the same time, I think it's mental too. To think like, 'Wow, I cut part of my body.'"
Of course, being pre-op never stopped Lea T from tearing up runways and booking major editorials and covers.
She modeled swimwear in an ad campaign for Brazilian swim label Blue Man last fall.