Bravo’s Next Gen NYC has sparked considerable buzz with its vibrant cast of Gen Z personalities navigating friendship, romance, and ambition in New York City. Among those who’ve captured widespread attention is Emira D’Spain. A central question that many viewers are typing into search bars—and debating online—is: “Is Emira trans on Next Gen NYC?”
Yes—Emira is openly transgender, and her presence marks a milestone in reality TV history. In this article, we’ll explore who Emira is, how Bravo frames her identity on the show, the significance of her casting, and why representation matters.
Table of Contents
Who Is Emira D’Spain?
Emira D’Spain (born October 8, 1996) is a model, content creator, TikTok star, and former beauty director at Paper magazine. Originally from Dubai, she was raised in Dallas before moving to New York to study at New York University, where she graduated magna cum laude WikipediaScreen Rant. Her rise to prominence includes:
- Becoming the first Black transgender woman to model for Victoria’s Secret in 2022 WikipediaReality TeaThem.
- Building a strong digital following with beauty and fashion content, especially “get ready with me” (GRWM) videos that have reached tens of millions of views Reality TeaScreen Rant.
- Joining Next Gen NYC in 2025 as the first full-time transgender cast member on any Bravo show PinkNewsDeciderThem.
Is Emira Trans on Next Gen NYC?
Yes, Emira is openly transgender, and her casting on Next Gen NYC is both deliberate and groundbreaking:
- Bravo’s Representation Milestone: Emira is the network’s first full-time transgender cast member.
- Industry Recognition: GLAAD highlighted her importance in bringing bold LGBTQ presence to the series.
- Media Context: Outlets like PinkNews emphasize her role as a trans woman on the show, underscoring its significance in broader media representation.
- Reality Tea and Other Coverage: Recognize her trailblazing history as both a Victoria’s Secret model and Bravo cast member.
Thus, the answer to “is Emira trans on Next Gen?” is a clear Yes, and her presence is presented in the media with respect and acknowledgment of its importance.
How Is Emira’s Identity Presented on the Show?
Interestingly, while Emira’s transgender identity is known and celebrated outside the show, Next Gen NYC does not make it the focal point of her storyline:
- Organic Presence: According to them.us, Emira shares that she intentionally doesn’t let her trans identity define her public persona—even while accepting that her existence challenges assumptions and broadens perspectives.
- On-Screen Appearance: Reality Tea notes that Emira references her Victoria’s Secret campaign in the first episode—but in a matter-of-fact way, not dramatized—“it kind of, like, blew up”.
- Media Framing vs. Storytelling: While media outlets highlight her as a trans figure, Bravo’s show’s narrative treats her as a multidimensional personality balancing modeling, relationships, and creative aspirations—rather than centering “her transness”.
This representation aligns with a shift toward normalizing LGBTQ+ identities—where being trans is part of who someone is, but not the only story.
Why Emira’s Casting Matters
Emira’s appearance on Next Gen NYC is significant in several ways:
- Visibility in Mainstream Media: As Bravo’s first full-time trans cast member, she brings transgender representation into spaces that have historically lacked it PinkNewsThem.
- Intersectional Representation: She’s not only trans, but also a Black and Emirati-American woman—her presence brings multiple layers of diversity to reality TV WikipediaReality TeaPinkNews.
- Redefining Storylines: Emira’s story isn’t defined by struggle or trauma—she’s ambitious, elegant, and unapologetically herself, offering richer, more empowering narratives GLAADThem.
- Inspiring Others: GLAAD and other advocates celebrate her casting as a “milestone,” and she herself expresses pride in “opening the door for people behind [her]” GLAAD.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know
1. Is Emira trans on Next Gen NYC?
Yes. Emira D’Spain is openly transgender, and she’s Bravo’s first full-time trans cast member on any show PinkNewsDecider.
2. Was she the first Black transgender model for Victoria’s Secret?
Yes. In 2022, Emira made history as the first Black transgender woman to model for Victoria’s Secret WikipediaReality TeaThem.
3. Does the show explicitly talk about her being trans?
Not prominently. While her identity is known and celebrated in media, the show treats her as a multidimensional personality—without making “being trans” her defining storyline ThemReality Tea.
4. Why is her casting significant?
Emira brings much-needed representation and visibility to transgender individuals in mainstream reality TV. Her intersectional identity also broadens representation PinkNewsGLAADThem.
5. What other achievements does Emira have?
She’s a model, beauty creator, and former beauty director for Paper magazine. Her TikTok and social media presence is strong, with high engagement and reach WikipediaScreen RantReality Tea.
In Summary
- Yes, Emira is trans on Next Gen NYC.
- Her casting is groundbreaking—she’s Bravo’s first full-time transgender cast member.
- The show presents her identity naturally, without sensationalism.
- Her presence signifies meaningful progress in media representation.
- Beyond trans visibility, Emira’s vibrant career and personality bring depth and authenticity to reality TV storytelling.
