7 Transgender Influencers to Follow for Beauty Inspo
Due to social media, there’s more representation among the LGBTQIA+ community. Here are some of the amazing transgender influencers we love.
These transgender influencers are proven trend-setters!
Teddy Quinlivan
Model Teddy Quinlivan came out as transgender in 2017 in an exclusive interview with CNN Style. Over the years, the catwalk regular has walked for the likes of Louis Vuitton, Moschino, and Chloé, to name a few. In 2019, Chanel Beauty named Quinlivan as their first openly transgender influencer and campaign face. The appointment was a major first for the brand and helped propel Quinlivan to international attention. On Instagram, she shares everything from political views to saucy selfies to an audience of 150k followers.
Laverne Cox
With 4 million followers and counting, the Orange is the New Black actor uses her platform to advocate for trans rights -as well as sharing fierce red carpet outfits, dance videos and beauty looks. Considered influential to so many people around the world, it’s no wonder Cox was given the honor of being the first trans star to appear on the cover of Time magazine in 2014.
Hari Nef
As one of the most well-known faces in fashion, actor and model Hari Nef found herself serving as a muse for Gucci’s whimsical creative director, Alessandro Michele (a perfect pairing, if you ask us.) Thanks to starring roles in You and Transparent, Nef was quickly propelled to a household name — attracting some 500 thousand followers in the process.
Gigi Gorgeous
Who in the LGBTQ+ community doesn’t know this vivacious blonde? The internet personality has let fans in on the highs and lows of her transitioning journey via YouTube for years, attracting over 2 million Instagram followers in the process. On her feed, expect unashamedly over the top (OTT) makeup looks, fun and colorful outfit shots, and, of course, her opinions on important issues affecting transgender individuals.
Zaya Wade
Despite being just 12-years-old, Zaya Wade (daughter of basketball sensation Dwayne and stepdaughter of actress Gabrielle Union) has bravely shared her journey since coming out as transgender this year. The tween was applauded for how she courageously and confidently ‘re introduced’ herself to the world in March 2020. Her doting parents currently run her Instagram account, which has already amassed over 200 thousand followers. She mentions in her bio that nothing gets posted without her approval. Watch this space!
Nikita Dragun
This mega-influencer, with a whopping 7 million followers, doesn’t do things by half. Case in point: even a visit to the grocery store requires a full on look with a capital L. This well-known star has found a legion of fans thanks to her bedazzled costumes, candy-colored wigs and larger-than-life personality.
Valentina Sampaio
Brazilian bombshell Sampaio recently made headlines when she was announced as the first transgender influencer to be featured in the iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Let’s just say Sampaio is no stranger to “firsts,” having previously been the first trans woman to cover Vogue Paris and the first trans model to bag a Victoria’s Secret contract. Talk about making money moves! Her Instagram feed, which boasts almost half a million followers, has no shortage of stunning outfit shots and traffic-stopping makeup selfies.