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oprah talks to lea t – first transgender supermodel

In 2011, Oprah interviewed Brazilian model Lea T, who Oprah described as the world’s first transgender supermodel. In the interview, they discuss Lea’s journey from being born “in the wrong body” as a male, while she felt from her earliest memories that she was actually a woman. Lea discusses the complex challenges faced in her efforts to navigate social, career and family dynamics in her transition into life as a woman and a female model.

discussion

At the time of this interview, Oprah’s television show had approximately 7 million viewers on an average day. Think about the implications of an interview like this on the viewing public. In what ways do high-profile figures and media events shape public perceptions of transgender issues?

Why would Lea T want to tell her story on a platform like Oprah’s show?

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