Crossing over: Transsexual model Lea T. lands first commercial magazine cover
By Maysa Rawi
Last updated at 5:51 PM on 1st December 2011
It's been a busy year for Lea T.
The transsexual featured on the runway for the first time and was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey.
And it looks as though the rising's star's hard work paid off - as she has landed her first mainstream magazine cover.
Leah T. strikes a pose on the cover of Elle Brazil, wearing Givenchy
Lea T., whose father is former footballer Toninho Cerezo, is the star of the Elle Brazil December issue - wearing Givenchy of course.
Debut: Lea T. walks the runway at Brazil Fashion Week in February
The 28-year-old model was discovered by the label's designer Riccardo Tisci.
She first appeared on the cover of Love magazine, a biannual published by Conde Nast, locking lips with Kate Moss - an image that propelled her to fame.
Speaking to Oprah in February, Lea broke down as she talked about the challenges she faced when she began the gender reassignment process in 2008.
She told Oprah: 'I was hoping I was gay. I was like, ok, I'm gay, because for my family it's less painful.
'I wish I could accept my body as a man. I would be a straight guy, having a girlfriend and a family, daughters, married, a normal life, but it's something in your brain.'
But she needn't have any regrets as her mannish look is proving popular in the industry.
Colleague Andrej Pejic has been equally as successful as a womenswear model - despite being a man.
Andrej told Vogue.co.uk: 'There are similarities between myself and Lea T, and we're placed in the same category, but our look is very different.
'Lea has been extremely brave in being very honest about her journey - but I don't really see myself as being here to challenge transgender stereotypes.'
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