Victoria’s Secret has reportedly hired its first openly transgender model. Here’s everything we know about her. (LB)

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• Victoria’s Secret has reportedly hired its first openly transgender model.
• Brazilian model Valentina Sampaio recently shared an Instagram photo of herself tagging the Victoria’s Secret Pink lingerie line alongside the hashtags "campaign," "vspink," and "diversity."
• If true, this would mark an important shift in direction at Victoria’s Secret, which has long been accused of lacking inclusivity and diversity in its ad campaigns.
• This came to a head last year, after the chief marketing officer of its parent company, L Brands, made controversial comments about featuring transgender and plus-size models in its annual runway show.
• Here’s everything we know about Sampaio.
• Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Victoria’s Secret has reportedly hired its first openly transgender model, and it could signal that the brand is finally listening to some of its most critical customers.

Earlier this week, Brazilian transgender model Valentina Sampaio, shared a photograph of herself on Instagram and tagged the Victoria’s Secret Pink brand along with the hashtags: "campaign," "vspink," and "diversity."A day later, she shared a video of herself with the caption: "Never stop dreaming."

Victoria’s Secret has not yet confirmed publically whether it has hired Sampaio and a spokesperson for L Brands did not immediately respond to Business Insider’s request for comment. But if true, this would mark a significant shift in its strategy.

Read more: People slammed Victoria’s Secret after its marketing chief made controversial comments about transgender models, but he didn’t resign. This could be why, according to former executives.

The brand has long been accused of lacking inclusivity and diversity in its ad campaigns. This came to a head last year after the chief marketing officer of its parent company, L Brands, said that he didn’t think its annual fashion show should feature "transsexuals" because the show is a "fantasy."

Now, the company is reportedly "rethinking" and possibly even canceling its fashion show.

Here’s everything we know about 22-year-old Sampaio:

If you’re a current or former employee of Victoria’s Secret and have a story to share, contact this reporter at mhanbury@businessinsider.com or on Signal at +1 (646) 768-4716 using a non-work phone.

Sampaio was born in the north of Brazil in a fishing town called Aquiraz.

 

Sources: The New York Times and i-D

She was eight years old when a psychologist identified her as transgender, but it wasn’t until she was 12 years old that she started calling herself Valentina.

 

Source: Diario do Nordeste

Sampaio has said in multiple interviews that she wasn’t bullied for this as a child. She said that she didn’t struggle as her parents (a fisherman and a teacher) along with her schoolmates were always accepting of her decision. They were "proud" and "supportive," she said.

Source: The New York Times.

 

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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SEE ALSO: The rise and fall of Victoria’s Secret, America’s most famous lingerie retailer

Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (Mary Hanbury)