Strut

Strut is a unique and exciting reality television series that first aired on Oxygen in 2016. It is a groundbreaking series that offers an unflinching look at the world of modeling, more specifically shedding light on the lives and careers of transgender models. The series is executive produced by the award-winning actress and activist Whoopi Goldberg, and offers a raw, real look at the groundbreaking strides made by transgender individuals in an industry that is typically exclusive and very critical.

Strut mainly revolves around the journey of five models managed by Slay Model Management in Los Angeles, which is hailed as the world's first exclusively transgender modeling agency. The series showcases their professional struggles, personal triumphs, and shared ambitions in the fashion industry. The five stars of Strut are Laith De La Cruz, Dominique Jackson, Ren Spriggs, Isis King, and Arisce Wanzer. Each one offers a different perspective and experience, and their stories are full of emotion, strength, and determination.

Laith De La Cruz, hailing from the Bronx and a former professional mixed martial arts fighter, is a transgender model who is catered to men's fashion. His story showcases challenges faced in both his personal and professional life, while he also shines light upon issues he faces within the larger transgender community.

Dominique Jackson is an established model who has been in the fashion industry for over two decades. Dominique embodies the struggles and triumphs as a transgender woman in the fashion industry, and her presence in the series portrays the reality of the industry's transformation over time.

Ren Spriggs, a former military member, brings her own unique journey to the show. She offers a compelling narrative of struggle and strength, challenging views on gender transformations, body positivity, and self-acceptance.

Isis King, the first transgender woman to compete on America's Next Top Model, also stars in the series. She is a trailblazer in the industry and the series takes viewers through her highs and lows in her career, and the significant impact she’s made in the modeling industry.

Arisce Wanzer, an openly transgender woman and model who has worked internationally and is known for her vibrant personality, is the final member of the leading cast. Her journey in the series outlines her point of view about the industry and its potential for change.

Strut is not just about glamorous high fashion shoots and runways. It digs deep and exposes the harsh realities and struggles encountered by the transgender community, illuminating the personal and professional challenges they often face. The series is a profound visual narrative that provides the audience an understanding of the process and dynamics involved in the lives of transgender models while also smashing stereotypes and breaking barriers in the fashion world.

The show accessed distinct personal perspectives, allowing honest and unfiltered conversations about the transgender community. Issues such as acceptance, self-identity, gender fluidity, diversity, and inclusion are subtly interwoven through the riveting personal stories of each model, providing viewers with a more nuanced understanding of the everyday lives and battles of a community that is often misunderstood in the mainstream media.

The show dresses its narrative with drama, humor, ambition, persistence, and strength, making it a captivating watch - not just for fashion lovers but also for those interested in contemporary social issues. As a socially poignant series, Strut balances the glamour and hardships in the world of fashion, creating an engaging viewing experience.

Strut was a breath of fresh air in the reality genre, removing the overused cliché narratives and replacing them with truthful, authentic stories. It presented the audience with the struggles and triumphs of an underrepresented community, and in doing so, broke down barriers and broadened the lens through which society views the world of fashion and modeling.

The series received a warm reception upon its premiere. It was recognized and praised for being one of the very few platforms that opened up conversations about the complicated intersection of trans identities and the fashion industry. The positive response was largely due to its unbridled exploration of diversity, the human spirit, and its facilitation in nurturing deeper empathy and understanding for the trans community.

Strut is a groundbreaking series that candidly portrays the lives and careers of transgender models, thus promoting a powerful message of acceptance and breaking traditional boundaries within the competitive world of fashion modeling.