America's Next Top Model Producer Aims to Redefine Beauty
Matt Richenthal
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Due to all the attention America's Next Top Model has alread received for including Isis Tsunami - the show's first-ever transgender contestant - on its 11th season's cast, you could say the decision has already paid off.
But executive producer Ken Mok says he has a grander goal in mind with Isis.
"We want to redefine what beauty is," Mok told ABC News. "You can be tall, you can be short, you can be plus size, you can be transgender; you don't have to be what the modeling industry says you have to be. That was one of Tyra's original missions."
As for casting Isis, Mok said the show wasn't aiming to break down any barries.
"She participated in the shoot and we didn't know anything about her. But when we started reviewing the photos, the girl that kept popping out of the background was Isis. She really knew what she was doing. Tyra wanted to know who she was. It was clear she really had a passion for modeling. So when it came to casting this season, we said, 'Why don't we find that girl?'"
America's Next Top Model premieres September 3.
Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.
