Whoopi Goldberg announced on Monday that she is in the process of producing a reality television show for Oxygen centering around transgender models.
"The View" co-host will have an executive producer credit on "Strut," a show focused on Slay Model Management -- the first modeling agency to exclusively represent transgender models, according to People.
"This show is important right now, because for all of the positive advances the community has made and continues to make, transgender is still a hot-button word that gets people hysterical,” Goldberg reportedly said in a statement. “People tend to focus on the stereotype instead of the person, and this series will give viewers a unique opportunity to spend time with real people who are struggling with the same challenges we all face as we make our way through the world."
The show comes at an important cultural moment for transgender visibility, when trans and gender-nonconforming people are being subjected to a wave of anti-queer legislation in Southern states, such as North Carolina's House Bill 2.
Transgender models are also nothing new, though the cultural fascination with transgender people are certainly giving them a more visible platform. A number of other agencies specifically catering to trans models have established themselves in the past years, including Trans Models agency in NYC.
Carmen Carrera also became one of the most well-known trans models in the world when she transitioned after her time on "RuPaul's Drag Race." Carrera went on to become the subject of a petition to make her the first openly trans Victoria's Secret Angel.
Speaking about "Strut," Goldberg added, "You may even be surprised to discover that you have been seeing and interacting with transgender men and women in ways you didn't even realize!"
"Strut" is slated to premiere on Oxygen later this year.
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