Mimi Tao
Mimi Tao | |
|---|---|
| มีมี่ เทา | |
 Tao at the Bangkok International fashion Week 2019 | |
| Born | Phajaranat Nobantao[2] March 19, 1993[3] Khon Kaen, Thailand |
| Occupation | Fashion model |
| Television | Project Runway |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (2 m)[1] |
| Hair color | Dark Brown |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Agency | Slay Model Management |
| Website | Mimi Tao |
Mimi Tao is a Thai fashion model. She is best known for being the first transgender model to appear on the reality television show series, Project Runway.
Early life
[edit]Tao was born and raised in Khon Kaen, Thailand.[4] She is the middle child of three, with an older sister and a younger brother, all born one year apart. At eleven she became a monk, but left the monastery after six years to help her family, who had been bankrupted by a financial crisis. She left for Pattaya and there she was offered a job as a cabaret dancer. After working for three months she left Pattaya to search for a better paying job in Bangkok.
“Phetkanha’s story was what touched me and made me want to become a model. She came from a poor family and, like me, had tanned skin, high cheekbones and a squarish face—all of which weren’t features that Thai people would traditionally consider beautiful—yet she was still able to make it and become so famous. That’s when I decided I wanted to be like her, and I set out looking for her, hoping that she would teach me to model.”
—Tao for Tatler Asia.[5]
Tao successfully applied to work for the renowned Calypso Cabaret show and held that position for another couple of months. A TV documentary about the Thai supermodel Rojjana “Yui” Phetkanha which she came across while working there, sparked her interest in modelling.[4][2] She was a fan and after some persuasion, convinced Phetkanha to help her learn modeling.[4][5] Yui taught Tao everything she knew: catwalk techniques, posing skills, how to get in the best light at a photo shoot, and how to book jobs. Tao spent three months studying under Yui until she was ready to enter the modeling industry on her own.[2]
Career
[edit]Tao moved to the United States in 2017 to pursue a modeling career after failed attempts in Thailand and Singapore.[5][3] In 2018, Tao appeared in 24 shows at New York Fashion Week.[6]
In 2021 Tao became a regular model on season 19 of Project Runway.[5][4] She was the show's first transgender model.[7][8] She also was a regular model in 2023's season 20.
As of 2019 Tao is represented by the Los Angeles modeling agency Slay, which represents only transgender models.[4][3]
Personal life
[edit]Tao is a Buddhist. She is transgender.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Portfolio". MIMI TAO. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c Yongcharoenchai, Chaiyot (December 13, 2015). "The monk turned model breaking all the rules". Bangkok Post. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c "From Buddhist Monk to transgender model, meet Mimi Tao". FOX 11 Los Angeles. 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ a b c d e f Vitkute, Demi (2019-03-15). "Mimi Tao was the first transgender person on 'Project Runway.' She says she can't change the industry alone". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ a b c d Chong Seow Wei (19 March 2021). "Transgender model Mimi Tao on Buddhism, beauty standards, and self-acceptance". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "Mimi Tao was the first transgender person on 'Project Runway.' She says she can't change the industry alone". Washington Post. 2020-08-03. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
- ^ Rodriguez, Matthew (14 March 2019). "'Project Runway's First Transgender Model Wants to Change the Industry". Out Magazine. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ Lee, Amy (2019-03-14). "'Project Runway' 2.0 Debuts With Heartfelt Moment From Series' First Transgender Model | Entertainment Tonight". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved 2023-08-10.