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Trans woman model Jasmine Basanes says ‘SLAY Model Hunt Asia is not a pageant’

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Stephanie Rose Manhit

“Asia is really big on pageantry, and it’s like an Olympic sport for us, which is amazing, but modeling is completely different,” stated Jasmine Basanes, 2022 SLAY Model Search North America winner during the preliminary competition of SLAY Model Search Asia held last April 22, 2023 at Revel at the Palace, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. <div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal"><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2023/4/28/first-trans-exclusive-model-agency-in-asia-opens-in-manila-1522">READ: First trans exclusive model agency in Asia opens in Manila</a></div>During the Q&amp;A, the models themselves took particular care to explain that the event was a model hunt, not a pageant. In fact, they shared how they related to each other not as competitors, but as equals sharing a bond of sisterhood.“Your photos and your videos are gonna be out there more; not everyone watched pageants, but everyone looks at models,” Jasmine explained. “This is the time that we can actually show that trans people can actually be models.”Jasmine is a Filipina who has been slaying the runways in Los Angeles and New York. <div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;min-height:15px;text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/Jasmine.jpg" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>“Bringing this trans model hunt to Asia is huge,” she said. “I think this is the perfect time for us to show that transpeople are worth it. Trans people are able and employable.”“We’re not just a number. We’re not just a quota that they have to hit during Pride Month. We do the work and people need to see that,” she continued.Asia is known for being on the conservative side of issues, but Jasmine feels that despite the socio-political climate, now is the time to get the ball rolling. “If we don’t start it now, when are we going to start?” she questioned. “Not necessarily forcing it but just getting everyone used to it. Just opening up the door a little bit, just so the conversations can start.”As a trans woman in the fashion industry, Jasmine had her own struggles to deal with. Now that she is a mentor to new trans models, she passes on these words of wisdom: “Be respectful. Be nice to everyone,” she shared. “You can be gorgeous, you can have an amazing body, you can be great with photos. But if you’re not nice, it’s not gonna get you far.”

SLAY Model Search North America winner Jasmine Basanes clarified the difference between pageantry and modelling.

SLAY Model Search North America winner Jasmine Basanes clarified the difference between pageantry and modelling.

Trans woman model Jasmine Basanes says ‘SLAY Model Hunt Asia is not a pageant’

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Trans woman model Jasmine Basanes says ‘SLAY Model Hunt Asia is not a pageant’

Ann Manhit

Published April 28, 2023 09:10 PM PHT

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Jasmine Basanes

slay model search asia

slay model management

lgbtq+

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