Tyra Banks Surprises "Model" Contestant With Sex Change Operation

Us:

Tyra Banks surprises Isis King, the first transgender contestant on America's Next Top Model, with sex reassignment surgery in an episode of her talk show to air Tuesday.

"This is not happening!" King, who was born Darrell Walls, says when Banks introduces her to Dr. Marci Bowers, a leading gender reassignment surgeon who has experienced the surgery herself. Bowers is paying for the surgery.

"[I feel] like I'm about to wake up," says King - who lived in a homeless shelter in Maryland before trying out for the show.

The 22-year-old hadn't gone under the knife yet because she couldn't afford the $20,000 to $35,000 price tag.

Read the whole story: Us

Comments

[amaycatbaker]

There was only one thing I found creepy about a trans-gender male going on a show that inspires "lust" in men and women.

Isn't that what modeling is making a person lust for the thing the model is selling?

Isis can do what ever she wants, but... I am sure the illusion sells but... creepy.

[ellawensmom]

This is only kind of related, but the problem that I sometimes see with the whole transgendered question is, "How can these people honestly date?" It must be very hard for them. Do they date men who are gay who like men who look like women? Do they date straight men, and if so, what happens when they tell them they are transgendered? Sometimes you hear of a transgendered person having sexual relations with a straight man without informing them they are transgendered, and when the straight guy finds out, violence occurs. I believe that transgendered folks should be honest about their original sex because I think the other person in the relationship should be given the opportunity to make an informed choice. I just have no idea how difficult it must be. I don't know many men who would accept a woman who used to be a man.
Does anyone have any wisdom regarding this?

[DCCommuter]

Honesty and sex don't go together. That's why we have a 50% divorce rate among [nontransgendered] married people.

[Bostongirl1]

I'm happy for Isis - she's a sweet person.

[ianmcc]

I'm very glad for Isis, but a little off subject, I am soooo annoyed with all the old media who attempt to cross over onto the net but still try to force you to watch freaking commercials (this happened at the start of the Tyra video). I couldn't even mute the commercial. They just want to move over onto the net and make it just as crappy as regular tv, the very reason people are leaving tv more and more in the first place.

[Drummaboy]

What an embarrassment...why is this show still on the air? Dingbats watching Dingbats. (singing) Only in America!!

[redhed515]

If I had been living in a homeless shelter just a few months ago, would my top priority be worrying about how to come up with the $20,000-$35,000 to have my p e n i s made into a v a g i n a?

[Chaucea]

I think it is fantastic that Tyra is pushing the envelope on this, and presenting this in a way that is very positive, and maybe, just maybe, will open up a few minds about this subject. Good for her! :-)

[Chirp]

The phalloplasty surgery often does not have the best outcome. It's much rarer to have it done than the M to F and fewer surgeons are skilled at doing the procedure. It is also very expensive, even more so than the M to F.

I'm surprised by the amount of not very compassionate or well-informed commentary about transgendered folk here- by some people, not all. Transgendered people are often victims of violence and homicide. They are born with their minds not "matching" their bodies and live in conflict and shame often for decades. They are not bad people. I have had quite a few as clients- I work in healthcare- and they are often very bright, talented at music, math, and computer science. Their brains are just wired differently. It is very cruel to marginalize people while they suffer. How painful that must be to always be fearful of harm and be denied the happiness of just being yourself.

[truthFORauthorityNOTaft]

Here here! People here are bright, but before judging we should all just research the facts.
Scientific research has proven this to be a real medical condition. There are reports of children as young as 5 hurting themselves because they feel wrong. It is not just about sexual attraction. This is not like being gay. Yes neither is a choice but gay people are happy with themselves and certainly don't feel sick. Transgender people are suffering and trapped within their bodies. I wish people would show a bit more compassion.

[ZimboChick]

She's Tyra b----------!

[NewArtz]

If humans can write the Bible and say God did it, then I suppose they just as well can do whatever else to which they set their minds. It makes a lot of people feel secure to believe that God actually wrote down words, and it makes some folks feel secure to have the sexual identity they feel best suits them. Just because you think your myth is better than everyone else's doesn't mean you have good judgement, it just shows that you don't know what a fool you are.

Freedom means you can believe and live the myth that you believe completes you. Isis can believe whatever she wants, and it's her body. I accept that some people believe they are saved whether they actually are saved or not. I can also accept that some people believe they are another gender whether they actually are or not. As long as we keep our scapels and swords to ourselves then "fish and humans can coexist peacefully."

Preach it, Isis!

[thankulord13]

Yes here in America they held Blacks as slaves, stole land from the Native Americans and did many other things in the name of God!

[EndangeredJackalope]

Didn't realize she still had a show..

[tlgeiger62]

I'm not entirely sure why but this is a little over the top even for Tyra. And the surgeon is paying for the operation? Something's not right.

[lynnn]

I thought Isis was the most beautiful this cycle.

[Azmom]

Maybe donating money to a homeless shelter would be money better spent.

[luckyoldson]

Why? It's not your life.

[ShanniC]

Even still... what's worse, Living on the street with no food, shelter etc etc. Or not having the cash to get sex reassignment surgery?

[harriettubman]

I think this is great!!! I'm tired of seeing transgendereds dressing like women or men but haven't had the surgery or neccessary counseling. The "pregnant" man needs to have her surgery done too so the media can stop calling her that. Until then, she's a woman.

[GhostNyc]

Regarding pregnant man- I agree with your logic, as it currently stands she really is a pregnant woman who wants to be a man.

[fabhell]

How'd HE get pregnant, anyway? LOL.

[maggiee]

That is a weird thing to be "tired" of. Really? You're not tired of something more important? Who cares what someone chooses to call themselves. The pregnant man can call himself a pogo stick for all I care.

[Badbone]

It's possible for most of us to be tired of more than one thing.