Commercial appeal

Incredible new Nike ad celebrates vogue legend Leiomy Maldonado

Nike and voguing simply aren’t two things you’d tend to think of in the same sentence. Basketball, sure. Running, absolutely.

But in Nike’s new advertisement for the #BeTrue pride collection, the sportswear giant features legendary Puerto Rican vogue artist Leiomy Maldonado, aka the “Wonder Woman of Vogue.” She’s perhaps best known in mainstream circles as the first transgender person to ever appear on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew in 2009.

The spot features the inarguably athletic Maldonado dancing and voguing up a storm, and she’s so mesmerizing it’s easy to forget you’re watching a commercial; let alone a Nike commercial.

Related: Religious Officials Set Nike Bonfire After Company Drops Manny Pacquiao

Featuring narration by mc/commentator Precious Angel Ramirez (aka Princess Miami Precious), the end result is effectively moving and rises far above the typical corporate cash-ins that clog the airwaves come Pride month.

The ad quickly caught the attention of Laverne Cox, who sung its praises on Instagram:

Oh this is so beautiful. There's so much to post and share this week, the girls are doing big things, trans folks are stepping forward witj talent, vision and determination and I love you all. Congratulations @wond3rwoman1. This is epic and legendary and you were already legendary. Let them know! #TransIsBeautiful @Regrann from @wond3rwoman1 – #betrue to #equality. Break barriers. Accept all athletes. Thank you @nikenyc for the opportunity and platform to share my story with the world! Thank you @thickbitch2k for the voiceover !!! Makeup @tiffanytheartist #leiomy #amazonmotherleiomy #wonderwoman #wonderwomanofvogue #voguing #nike #nikenyc #nike?? #dancersbody #sexylatina #athleticwomen #athleticwomenfitness #sexyandfit #nikewomen #pridemonth #transisbeautiful #vogueicon #athlete #queenofvogue #queenofdramatic #queenofhairwhips #justdoit – #regrann

A post shared by laverne cox (@lavernecox) on

h/t: Mic

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