PHOTOGRAPHY + INTERVIEW: IRVIN RIVERA

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: CECILIO ASUNCION

HAIR & MAKEUP: LARRY TRAEVON

PHOTO ASST: MARK ASUMA

Tyra Castillo, winner of Slay Model Search 2021, has arrived and she is ready to slay the game. Tyra, who loves ANTM (America’s Next Top Model), is also a nurse, and a volleyball player, spoke with us about her journey so far, what led her to the modeling competition and what’s in store for her on the horizon. There’s a lot of exciting things in store for this versatile, talented model on the rise.

Slay Model Search is the brilliant initiative of Cecilio Asuncion, the director and founder of Slay Model Management. Slay Model Search provides a venue for trans models to be seen and showcased in the spotlight- to present their versatility, charm, and fierceness in the fashion industry.

Tyra’s poses are very natural and organic. She’s a great mover with so much levity in her. Her positive attitude and energy lights up the room and that’s one of the most important things to note in this industry. You want to work with someone that makes things easier for you. 

These series of images are from a test we did with her to showcase her versatility in modeling. From commercial, to beauty, to editorial- Tyra could slay them all.    

Tyra played volleyball, track and field since college. And like most of us, she have a few insecurities as well. She used to be insecure of her body and her big calves.

“I always wanted smaller legs--- so I had body image issues back then because of that.”

“When I moved here (United States), I didn’t realize that there are other shapes, sizes and forms of a woman. Back in the Philippines, we were conditioned to think that beautiful women are petite, small and slim. I grew up watching trans women becoming a woman to have a really small physique.”

But upon her move to the US, it made her realize the diversity and beauty in women's bodies. Since then, Tyra viewed athletic physique in a different light. “Athletic women with muscles are strong and confident.”

“Now, I feel more comfortable in my own skin as a woman”

I feel like I’m just really lucky. I’ve met a lot of trans women- even women who used to live in the Philippines and who moved here who experienced a lot of discrimination. But for me, my journey transitioning from the Philippines to here in the US, I’m very lucky that I didn’t have a very difficult time. I’ve never been in any position where they refused to hire me because I’m a transgender woman.

It was good for me. I am aware that its gonna be a different story for every other trans woman. I am just thankful and lucky that I get to be in this journey and it has been good so far.

Her family has been a great support system for Tyra.

 “We moved here altogether since 2008. They’re very supportive. I also have a gay brother whose older than me. “

“Sa Pilipinas pa lang, alam na nila na bakla talaga kami. (Even in the Philippines, they already knew that we’re gay.) I never have to explain anything- na gusto ko maging babae, wala nang ganun. Alam na nila agad.” (I never had to explain anything- that I wanted to be a woman. There’s none of that. They already knew.)

The great thing I love about Tyra is her energy.

Her energy is just so light. There is levity in her spirit and that’s probably the reason why—there’s positivity in her and people would always want to work with someone who is positive.  That’s her magnetic trait.

How was it to be the winner of Slay Model Search 2021? How did you get scouted?

I was supposed to be on the 1st Slay Model Search. I learned about it through my friend. He told me to join and audition for last year’s model search. But the moment they announced the dates of the competition, I realized that I couldn’t do it because of work. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to join because I can’t get days off work.

After the first model search concluded, they asked me if I would be interested to audition again. I auditioned with Cece. I told him I was already turning 30. Can I still do it? He said why not? The industry is shifting. Just go for it.

So then I was like, okay, let’s do it.

I came into the competition without expecting to win anything. I went in to learn and experience the process. I want to see and experience the sisterhood- the glam, photoshoots, etc.

Now that you’ve won, how was that like?

Prior to this I never really had this much attention, especially in social media. So I was surprised and overwhelmed. Nagulat ako (I was shocked!)

It was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions pero masaya ako na I get to share my stories and my journey (I am happy that I get to share my stories). I love how I could at least inspire in one way or another, other people, especially people in the Trans community.  Masaya! (it was really fun)

Tyra became a beacon of hope.

How do you balance your nursing career with this newfound modeling career? How do you manage that?

Before the competition, I accepted a position for 4 days a week because I wasn’t really expecting myself to win. SO I had a 4x a week job. And then when I won, I was like, oh my god, how will I work this out?  I wanted to experience the whole modeling scene. So I emailed my old job and turned it down. I explained to them what happened, and I went back to my old department as a nurse where I could have more flexibility.

I asked them if it’s okay if I could go back to my department and drop my position to 60%

Luckily they are very supportive to what I do. So I am very lucky that I have this flexibility of time right now.

Seems like everything is just aligned and working out for her.

It’s all proper timing.

Coming into this, what are your expectations into modeling?

Where did you learn? What inspired you to model?

Growing up, I’ve been watching ANTM. That was my inspiration back then.

I want to be one of those girls. I remember Naima’s (Naima Mora) season. I really love that season. I was inspired to model from that.

Other models inspire me as well- Jasmine Tookes, Shaina Shaik, Kelsey Merritt, I just wanna be of those girls.

“I am just really comfortable when someone takes my photos. Really, thank you ANTM.”

How do you think Slay Model Management changes the modeling industry in general?

It makes us, trans women, more visible especially in the fashion industry,

I won’t be aware of other trans women models if not because of Slay Model Management.  So I am really thankful that Slay Model Management exists.

Cece is very supportive as an agent and as a mentor.

Any advice to anyone trying to pursue a modeling career?

Advice? just pursue your dreams. If there’s an opportunity, just grab it. Keep going and keep doing what you love.