Tyra Gives Away Sex-Change Operation

Oprah only gives away cars. Take that! On today’s even-more-very-special-than-usual episode of The Tyra Banks Show, Isis King, the transgender model on America’s Next Top Model Cycle 11 gets the surprise of a lifetime when Tyra gives her a gift that truly will keep on giving: A sex reassignment surgery.

Should we be thoroughly delighted that Isis will get to fulfill her longstanding dream or furious that a deeply personal decision is being transformed into a ratings circus? Can we both at the same time? We loved Isis on ANTM— not only was she able to pull off some fierce looks but she patiently kept at explaining that she was not a man dressing up like a woman, but a woman born into the biological body of a man.

Born Darrell Walls, the 22 year old had spent time living in a homeless shelter before America’s Next Top Model, where she received a mixed reception from the other contestants. Okay, one of them pushed her into a jacuzzi, but it’s impossible to determine if the fighting and insults are a result of racism, homophobia or just the usual cat fighting and backstabbing. Those girls are mean!

You’ll get to see Isis confront some of her frienemies from the show before Tyra reveals that she’s getting her surgery, at which point a stunned Isis says. “This is not happening. [I feel] Like I’m about to wake up.” Congratulations, Isis.

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