“You can call me Miss Miami Swim until further notice.”
That bold declaration came from Australian transgender model Riley Minford, who turned heads and lit up social media after walking the runway at Miami Swim Week on Sunday, June 1.
The 25-something Sydney-based model didn’t just walk – according to many she owned the catwalk in two jaw-dropping looks during the Oh Polly show: a fiery red cutout one-piece and a barely-there white bikini.
But Riley’s story runs much deeper than a killer strut. Her rise to fame is a story of resilience, transformation, and proving everyone — including her own mother — wrong.
From rejection to runway
Growing up in Australia, Riley faced harsh resistance at home when it came to her identity. She told Beauticate that her mother recognized early on that she was different — but instead of offering love, she offered fear.
“She’d say to me, ‘Riley, I knew if you were gay or trans, you’d de sad and alone.’ Or she’d tell me that she was worried I’d get AIDS and die with just a cat for company.”
Riley Minford felt out of place — especially during moments that reinforced the gender divide. Whether it was sports day, swimming carnivals, or classroom activities where teachers would separate students with a casual, “boys to the left, girls to the right,” Riley was left in emotional limbo.
She never felt comfortable standing with the boys, but wasn’t allowed to join the girls either — despite knowing deep down that was exactly where she belonged.
Despite the emotional wounds, Riley held on. Her father wasn’t around emotionally, but helped financially. Meanwhile, Riley began discovering her identity in high school — while attending a private Christian co-ed school.
“I struggled so much with identity until high school, and then I really switched things up,” she said.
Still, she kept her truth hidden for years. It wasn’t until after graduation that Riley decided to begin her transition.
“I had hidden from my trans self for so many years, that before I started this journey, I didn’t know whether or not I would be open about being trans,” she explained.
Fearless on the catwalk
That fear of being open didn’t last. After stepping out onto the world stage in Miami, Riley was all confidence.
“I was absolutely terrified but I got on that runway and ate it up,” she told The Daily Telegraph’s Sydney Confidential.
With nearly 75,000 Instagram followers cheering her on, the half-Filipino influencer had this to say:
“It felt so special being flown across the world to walk and I hope I did my duty.”
And a lot of people on the Internet agreed. Her fans flooded her comments with love:
“You’re an icon!!!! So proud of you!!!”
”Queen, you deserve it all and more!”
“This is such a moment.”
“We can’t handle how perfect this is.”
“I think she’s going to be the next top supermodel.”
From pain to progress
Today, the same mother who once tried to suppress Riley’s identity is now cheering her on.
“It’s a whole different vibe now,” Riley said. “She’s my biggest cheerleader.”
And while many transgender people face difficult transitions both physically and emotionally, Riley says that wasn’t her biggest challenge.
“I thought the physical process of transitioning would be the hardest part, but for me it wasn’t at all,” she said.
“I transitioned so flawlessly that now I could fly under the radar if I wanted to, so it made me want to be out and open and proud. I wanted to take the high road for others who don’t have it so easy.”
Breaking the mold in fashion
Riley’s Miami Swim Week debut isn’t just a personal milestone — it’s part of a much larger shift in the fashion world.
Trans supermodels like Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio made history at last year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, breaking barriers in an industry long dominated by cisgender beauty standards.
“I’m trans, and I think it’s really important to have people like me on the runway being perceived as beautiful,” Alex told WWD.
“Especially in a setting like this that’s always been very cis-oriented, it’s important to be bringing in a lot of different types of people.”
Valentina echoed the sentiment on Instagram:
“Inclusivity is crucial to the world we’re building, and I’m honored to walk with pride, love, and the hope of inspiring the next generation.”
What’s next for Miss Miami?
With her newfound confidence, a growing fanbase, and viral support from Miami Swim Week, Riley’s star is only rising.
She may have once feared being “sad and alone,” but now she’s got a global audience, a powerful story, and a crown-worthy title:
“You can call me Miss Miami Swim until further notice.”
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