@leynabloom
A simple hello fromLeyna Bloomis enough to give you a sense of her aura.
Her vibrant energy is immediately apparent.
In fact, Bloom effortlessly embodies what youd imagine of a fashion model.
@leynabloom
Her story represents one grounded in resilience.
On a chilly day in New York City this week, Bloom and I met up again.
LEYNA BLOOM:It was a surreal moment for me.
@anastasiagphoto /@leynabloom
And I was just like, okay, this is happening.
But you know when something like that happens, you kind of just see what happens.
And then it broke the Internet.
@leynabloom
It was a happy moment for me, all trans women, and women of color.
They miscredited my name as Geena Rocero, who is another trans Filipina model.
I had to look at the bigger picture, which was the fact that Im inVogue.
@leynabloom
Its just funny because the name of the editorial was called Celebrating the Differences.
BYRDIE: Was that your first encounter with that kind of experience?
Theyre all the same.
Dont make me an accessory to your productreally celebrate me.
Like, be liberated in that decision.
There have been times when Ive been on set and obviously the main model would be a white woman.
And they would, like, have a bag or an accessory.
The director would say, Oh, no, take the bag away.
Oh, maybe you should add earrings.You know what, fuck it, just put a Black model in.
Its the business Im in.
You have to be aggressive, though.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters said you cant be afraid to speak up.
I recently went to the CFDA Gala with one of my favorite designers, Becca McCharen of Chromat.
I saw Anna Wintour was right in front of me.
She wasnt talking to anyone; she was just sitting there on her phone.
I went right up to her ass and tapped her on the shoulder.
BYRDIE: And what did you say?
LB:Hi, Im Leyna.
Im the first trans woman of color to be featured inVogue India, which came out last month.
And she was like, Wow, thats amazing.
Youre very bold and courageous to just come up and tap me.
LB:I think theres so much work to be done.
But theyre just putting us in there.
When we have something important to say, let us talk about it.
Dont put rules on our beauty when our beauty breaks all the rules.
We stand outour personalities, ideas, food, spirits, and fashion.
And the guy was like, I dont want to be a trend.
Its such a trend.
This is not a trend.
This is what fashion is about.
If it doesnt include everyone, its not working.
I pity these directors of these movies and TV shows with a whole cast thats white.
Its just like, wheres the color at?
Where are the stories?
Im a really big fan of Fenty Beauty.
Men are wearing makeup too.
Put a beautiful fucking boy, male influencer, or trans person in your ads.
I was a little taken back when Rihanna didnt choose to go that route.
Thats how you really make an impact, when everyone is taken care of.
Male actors rappers, singers, and entertainers all get their makeup done.
These male motherfuckers are getting their faces beat down.
Everyone is using makeup.
Makeup should not just be for one genderit should be for every form of the human race.
BYRDIE: I love that you spread the message of resilience and hope.
Youve really built a community thats not just for trans women but for all people.
Do you feel a sense of responsibility?
People see my glow and my confidence, and thats something that I have no control over.
Thats something thats kind of rooted inside of me and exudes out.
Im just living my life and loving every moment, and its attracting peoples attention.
Its my own personal superpower.
I always tell peopleall the answers that you need are inside of you.
People always ask me, How do I get into modeling?
If you want it, you will go and get it.
Yes, I love you.
Yes, your hair looks good.
Yes, your body looks good.
I love every single inch of you.
Its finedont attempt to be picture perfect; theres no such thing.
Just love what you are.
I just wanted to love myself first.
When I did that, people showed up, and opportunities came.
BYRDIE: What makes you come alive?
LB:My past.
This pushes me every single day.
Remember that people died so that you could be right here.
She said, Girl, everything I did was for a reason.
Because what youre doing right now means that I did it.
Thats what I was doing it for.
That touches my soul.
The fact that no one on this earth can do what I can do gives me power.
BYRDIE: How has your relationship with your body shifted over time?
LB:Growing up, I was as skinny as a toothpick.
I wanted to look like the women that I loved on television and in movies.
Ive seen my body grow, change, and mold.
Ive seen it get smaller, bigger, wider, and skinnier again.
I love all of that.
I love those transformations of what my body can do.
I love my stretch marks and dont mind if I gain a little weight.
I appreciate all aspects of myself.
I want other women and men to love their bodies.
Youre in constant [transformation].
Humans are always evolving; were always mutating.
Thats the most beautiful thing about us.
Im not going to change my body.
Im going to love it.
Its all about loving myself.
BYRDIE:The rights of the LGBTQ+ community arent always upheld.
How are you working against a limiting society thats working against you?
LB:My dad was a heterosexual man, and he was in the military.
I found a home.
And right now youre denying your superpower and your uniqueness?
I’m like,And what?
Yes, Im bad as fuck, and you cant tell, but you know what?
Thats who I am.Im so happy that Im unique and different.
Im so happy that I live and breathe in that.
BYRDIE: Whats your advice to people still searching for confidence?
LB:I recently saw Tracee Ellis Ross at Pat McGraths Mothership Ball.
And thats what I have to say to everyonewere all kings and queens.
Be confident in the talent that you possess.
Everyone in Hollywood is already trying to steal it from us.They literally want to be us.
They want our voices, our songs, rhythm, and more.
But they cant do it like us.
Our culture is the blueprint.
We are where the sea started.
I understand your Black-girl magic.
I understand your Black-boy joy.
And I love it.
You cant put rules on our beauty; our beauty breaks all of the rules.
I was raised in that conjunction of just tension, especially being a biracial woman.
We need more of that.
BYRDIE: Are there specific beauty rituals you do that make you feel beautiful?
LB:A five-minute meditation goes a long way for me.
I used to be a professional dancer, so I stretch at least once a day.
I move around and stretch out my ligaments to double-check that everything is working properly.
Its a full-body euphoria for me.
Im minimal when it comes to products.
I love a good moisturizer because when my skin is clear, I feel beautiful.
I love coconut oil for healthy hair and skin.
I go to Sephora all the time, and Im always looking for the newest skincare products.
I love things that just feel good and smell good.
I want to know that what Im putting on my body is healthy.
BYRDIE:What are your fave beauty products of the moment?
LB:At the moment, Im loving Fenty Beauty and Make Up For Ever.
I use Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation and Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Powder on top.
I use this to mattify my foundationit literally lasts all day, and it works on every skin tone.
Then I go in with Nars Blush in Dolce Vita.
I love this shade.
BYRDIE: Who is your role model?
LB:My dad is my superhero.
He is literally like my rock.
I love my father so much.
Every time I had a performance, he would always be there with flowers.
My whole trans transition period, he was there front and center paying for all of my insurance.
Its in post-production right now.
Its about 10 millennials living in New York City and how were all connected.
Its about love, sex, fashion, music, and connection.
Its directed by Linda Yellen, who is an amazing, Emmy Awardwinning director.
BYRDIE: What do you want to be remembered for?
LB:That I did everything with a smile.
All I pray for is loveits what I live by.
I have love tattooed on both of my wrists: love in English and I love you in Philippians.
While were talking inclusivity, see what four makeup-loving men have to say about the beauty industry.
