Mimi Tao
Thai fashion model
Mimi Tao | |
|---|---|
| มีมี่ เทา | |
 Tao at the Bangkok International fashion Week 2019 | |
| Born | Phajaranat Nobantao[2] (1993-03-19) March 19, 1993 (age 31)[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
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 [th] 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
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
Tao is a Buddhist. She is transgender.[4]
References
- ^ "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.
