 Lena Bloom has undeniably made history and shattered barriers in the modeling industry. As the first transgender model to grace the cover of sports-illustrated swimsuit and continued to model for the magazine each year since, Lena has become a trailblazer and an inspiration to many. Beyond her modeling career, she is also an accomplished dancer, showcasing her talent in various artistic realms. Born on April 25th, 1990 in Chicago, Illinois, Lena was immersed in the world of dance from a very young age. With her grandmother owning a dance studio and several family members being dance legends, Lena's passion for dance was ignited early on. By the time she reached the sixth grade, her remarkable skills were already evident. She had the privilege of dancing for the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, even sharing the stage at the age of 14 with Misty Copeland, one of Time magazine's most influential people in the world. Lena's talent and dedication to her craft led to a scholarship offer from the prestigious Chicago Academy of Arts. However, she made the courageous decision to turn down the scholarship midway when the school refused to recognize her as a woman. Despite having already transitioned by that point, Lena's journey hasn't been without its challenges. Raised by her loving father, Lena faced financial difficulties and occasional bounce of homelessness during her upbringing. Her father, a military veteran and her mother an immigrant from the Philippines, who was unfortunately deported when Lena was just a baby, shaped her early years. From a young age, the dancer was self-aware that she identified more comfortably as a female, and her family embraced and supported her fully in her gender identity. Lena's father even accompanied her to Thailand for the medical transition procedures, highlighting the immense love and support she received during her journey. While Lena's public transition has been well documented, there is limited information available regarding specific procedures or what she looked like before her surgeries. However, even in a youthful picture of Lena with her hair down, it's evident that she was raised as a female from the beginning. At the age of 17, Lena packed up her determination and moved to New York City with the little money she had saved from working at both McDonald's and Starbucks. Her tenacity pushed her forward and despite sleeping on trains and surviving on $1 pizza slices, she was determined to start fresh. Lena worked as a waitress and pursued modeling in her spare time. In 2017, her career began to skyrocket when she became the first trans woman of color to be featured in the Indian edition of Vogue. From there, Lena caught the attention of big brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Bella Hadid, Suju Park, and Stella Maxwell. But Lena's talents extend beyond modeling and dancing. She has also delved into acting and made history in this field as well. She became the first openly trans woman of color to lead a feature-length film at Cannes or any major film festival. Additionally, Lena was part of the final season of FX show Pose, further showcasing her acting prowess. Lena's advocacy for marginalized communities has been an integral part of her journey. She uses her platform to speak out against injustices and fight for equality. Her Instagram is filled with powerful protest photos demonstrating her unwavering commitment to making a difference. Lena fearlessly calls attention to issues such as the lack of diversity on the Victoria's Secret catwalk and has even started a campaign on Twitter to become the first trans woman of color to walk the runway in a Victoria's Secret fashion show. Her compassion and love for others shine through her interactions with her followers. Lena's live sessions on social media allow her to connect with her audience on a deeper level, spreading her message of acceptance and understanding. While her inspirational story has garnered public attention, she chooses to keep certain aspects of her life private. Details such as her name prior to Lena and transformation photos remain undisclosed. A search for Lena's name on the internet primarily yields information about her achievements and a brief glimpse into her family history. Lena Bloom's journey is a testament to resilience, courage and the power of embracing one's true self. Through her modeling, dancing, acting and activism, Lena continues to break barriers and inspire others to follow their dreams. Her unwavering commitment to authenticity and her drive to make a positive impact in the world make her a true force to be reckoned with. As Lena blooms, so does the past she pays for others. Reminding us to celebrate our individuality and stand up for what we believe in. We'll be back with more transformations, so make sure to like, subscribe and hit that bell to receive notifications. My name is Katie. If you want to hear more of this voice, check me out on TikTok. Until then, I'll see you in another video.