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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation/Slay Model Management) |
It was just three years ago when Slay Model Management, the world’s first transgender-exclusive model agency, held its first ever model search in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA. Buoyed by the results of the previous searches, Slay Model Management is kicking off the month of April with its first international Slay Model Search, this time in partnership with ABS-CBN Global, the leading Filipino media and entertainment company worldwide, and Bigo Live. This year’s search will focus on Asia which is among the world’s fastest-growing economic regions in the realm of Fashion. To add to that, Asians, as they say, are smokin’ hot right now: in demand in films, TV shows, theater, music, social media, and yes, even in the modeling world.
“Having Filipino roots, this edition of our international trans model search is a personal homecoming for me. A lot of the shoots for the show are being done in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia. My team and I are also delighted to work with leading Filipino media and entertainment network ABS-CBN Global which will carry the show worldwide on its iWantTFC streaming platform, MYX Global and TFC channels on cable and satellite," said Slay Models Management founder and director Cece Asuncion. But also of major importance to Asuncion is the tremendous potential of Asia to produce world-class trans models. “Our search is looking for 24 trans model hopefuls from Asia to compete for a contract with Slay Model Management. Believe me when I tell you that we had to choose from a wealth of amazing entries and it was really tough to trim down the number. I’m very proud and excited about our final candidate choices and I’m confident that they will astound the audience with their looks and their passion for the craft in representing themselves as among the best in the modeling business," said Asuncion.
Asuncion’s credentials to do this show are indisputable. He began his involvement with the transgender community when he directed the documentary, “What’s the T?”, which explored the challenges, successes, and lives of five transgender women. It went the festival route and was voted Festival Favorite Cinema Diverse at the Palm Springs LGBT International Film Festival. Asuncion’s festival recognitions were followed by a reality series called, “Strut”, which he co-produced with American actress and TV personality Whoopi Goldberg. The series followed the life of transgender models. It won the GLADD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Series in 2017. Adding to his expertise in this field, Asuncion has judged major beauty pageants and model searches that include the 2017 Miss Universe Pageant and several state pageants under the Miss USA system and was even tasked to host Miss Teen USA 2018. He is also the Executive Producer of the reality series, “The People’s Queen”, on TFC. His Models have appeared on Vogue, Vogue Germany, Vogue Scandinavia, Elle Japan, and Oprah Magazine as well as on Netflix’ Next in Fashion, Ryan Murphy Productions-Pose, Bravo’s Project Runway, NBC’s Law and Order, Quantum Leap, Eva Mendes for NY and Co. Katy Perry Fragrance, Make-up Forever, About Face Beauty, Nikita Dragun Cosmetics, Macy’s, Savage X Fenty, MAC cosmetics, Josh Rosebrook Skin Care to name a few. Slay Models have also appeared with A-List Hollywood celebrities such as Ricky Martin, Ariana Grande, Sam Smith on their music videos. “We’re doing this show to generate sustainable opportunities for very capable trans models. We’re not here to sell transness; we’re here to reframe what ‘beauty’ is among human beings. Our models don’t look at themselves as victims or even activists. They’re just models! They transcend gender and beauty stereotypes by polishing their craft professionally to represent brands and designers in the best way possible," said Asuncion.
Catch the excitement before and behind the cameras of the 2023 Slay Model Search on April 27, 2023 at 8:00 pm PHT/HKT/SGT LIVE on iWantTFC and ABS-CBN Entertainment's YouTube channel. It will also be on Bigo Live which will stream from backstage. There will be a delayed broadcast on MYX, TFC, Kapamilya Channel, Metro and Kapamilya Online Live. For more information, visit and follow Slay Model Management on Facebook and Instagram.
