Thai Lady Boy Beats 200 Other Women In Modelling Contest
Angkookrat Warangnam beat hundreds of women to make it into the final of a modelling competition - and then shocked organisers by revealing she was a man.
BRIGHTON, U.K.: -- Thai lady boy Angkookrat, known as Toon, was one of 200 'women' to enter the Brighton's Next Hot Model contest.
Shy Toon sailed through the preliminary rounds, wowing judges with her deep brown eyes, long dark hair and slimline figure.
After being given the green light by every member of the panel, the Lady Boys of Bangkok star, 26, revealed that she was born a man.
Organiser Scott Woolgar said: "During the selection process it did not cross any of our minds for a minute that she was a man.
"I know a lot of judges showed pictures to friends and family to get a bit of help and nobody twigged.
"When we were deciding who to put through to the final she was on everybody's list. Everyone thought she was one of the prettiest girls.
"The competion is based on approach, looks and personality and Toon has all of that. It is about beauty pure and simple regardless of whether Toon was born male or female.
"We believe beauty is more than skin deep and would be honoured to have Toon in our final."
Bangkok-born Toon, who has performed with the popular touring show for three years, will go head-to-head with eleven fellow finallists on the catwalk next Friday (May 25).
If she is selected by the six-strong judging panel, featuring modelling star Sophie Anderton among others, she will win a trip to Dubai and the chance to star in her own professional photo shoot.
Leggy Toon, who is mid-way through the group's nationwide 'Carnival Queens' show, is still listed as 'male' on her passport, which still features her birth name.
Toon said: "I feel humbled to make it through to the final and to be recognised as a woman.
"I'm excited and nervous about how hard it will be to win the whole thing.
"I saw a couple of beautiful girls when I went to the heats so I know there will be lots of competition. I wil try my best to win."
Lady Boys of Bangkok artistic director Phillip Gandey was proud of his star's achievement:
He said: "It seems like they didn't realise Toon was a lady boy but our lady boys are so beautiful that every day people pass them on the street and don't realise these girls were born as men.
"Brighton's Next Hot Model says it is looking for hot boys and hot girls and wehink Toon is a great contestant."
The Telegraph 2012-05-19
Search Option
Recent Posts
Todays Birthdays
