Tyra Banks gave Isis King, the transgendered contestant “America’s Next Top Model,” the gift that keeps on giving – a sex change.
Enlisting the help of Dr. Marci Bowers, a post-op transexual, Banks gifted King with the pricey surgery which she could not have otherwise afforded.
“It’s just the finances,” King told show producers on why she had not taken the plunge to become a woman. “It costs a lot of money, between $20,000 and $35,000.”
The 22-year-old, born Darrell Walls, once lived in a homeless shelter before landing on the hit reality show. She was eliminated in September after doing poorly on a pool photo shoot because she was uncomfortable about her male anatomy.
“I really try not to really think about it,” she said of her – ahem – differences from the other contestants.
“I try not to think about it because [modeling] is something I’m really passionate about and I feel like I really was born in the wrong body and it’s just the one thing that makes me feel uncomfortable.”
But, she insists her anatomical irregularities really aren’t that big of a deal.
“Me personally I look at it like yes, I’m the first transgender contestant, but OK lets move past it now. I didn’t want it to turn into ‘the transgender.’ I’m just a woman trying to compete just like everyone else.”
Despite her confidence, King was floored when Banks introduced her to Dr. Bowers, who will do the operation pro bono.
“This is not happening,” King squealed, “[I feel] Like I’m about to wake up.”
The episode airs Tuesday evening on Fox.