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 Sydney-based model in her mid-20s didn’t just walk the runway by many accounts, she owned it. During the Oh Polly show, Riley turned heads in two show-stopping looks: a bold red cutout one-piece and a barely-there white bikini that left the crowd buzzing.
But there’s more to Riley than a fierce runway presence. Her journey to the spotlight is one of resilience, reinvention, and defying expectations including those of her own mother.
From Rejection to Runway
Growing up in Australia, Riley Minford’s path to self-acceptance wasn’t easy. At home, she faced painful resistance to her identity especially from her mother, who, Riley told Beauticate, responded not with love, but with fear.
“She used to say, ‘Riley, I knew if you were gay or trans, you’d be sad and alone.’ Or she’d warn me I’d get AIDS and die with just a cat for company.”
From a young age, Riley felt out of place particularly during moments that underscored the gender divide. School events like sports day, swimming carnivals, or classroom instructions to split by gender “boys to the left, girls to the right” left her feeling stranded in a space where she didn’t belong.
Riley never felt at ease standing with the boys, yet she wasn’t permitted to join the girls despite knowing, deep down, that’s exactly where she belonged.
Though the emotional toll was heavy, Riley pressed on. Her father was largely absent emotionally, though he supported her financially. It was during high school at a private Christian co-ed institution that she began to explore her identity more deeply.
“I struggled so much with who I was until high school,” she said. “That’s when I really started to shift.”
Still, Riley kept her truth to herself. It wasn’t until after graduation that she made the life-changing decision to begin her transition.
“I had hidden from my trans self for so many years,” she explained. “At the start of this journey, I wasn’t even sure if I’d be open about being trans.”
Fearless on the Catwalk
That fear of being open didn’t last long. When Riley stepped onto the world stage in Miami, she radiated confidence.
“I was absolutely terrified—but I got on that runway and owned it,” she told The Daily Telegraph’s Sydney Confidential.
With nearly 75,000 Instagram followers behind her, the half-Filipino model and influencer reflected on the moment with gratitude:
“It felt incredibly special to be flown across the world to walk. I just hope I made it count.”
A Moment of Celebration
Riley’s moment in the spotlight didn’t go unnoticed. The internet lit up with praise, as fans flooded her social media with messages of love and support:
“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
Remarkably, the same mother who once struggled with Riley’s identity is now one of her strongest supporters.
“It’s a whole different vibe now,” Riley shared. “She’s my biggest cheerleader.”
While many transgender individuals face immense challenges throughout their transition, Riley says her biggest hurdle wasn’t physical.
“I thought the physical process would be the hardest part, but it really wasn’t,” she said. “I transitioned so seamlessly that I could go unnoticed if I wanted to—but that made me even more determined to be open and visible. I want to take the high road for people who don’t have it so easy.”
Breaking the Mold in Fashion
Riley’s debut at Miami Swim Week isn’t just a personal triumph—it’s part of a broader cultural shift in fashion. As the industry begins to challenge long-held beauty norms, trans models are finally claiming their place on the runway.
Trailblazers like Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio made headlines last year during the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, redefining what it means to be a supermodel in a space historically dominated by cisgender ideals.
“I’m trans, and I think it’s really important to have people like me on the runway being perceived as beautiful,” Consani told WWD.
“Especially in spaces like this—traditionally centered around cisgender beauty—it’s so important to bring in a wider range of voices and identities,” one model said, reflecting on the industry’s slow but steady shift.
Valentina Sampaio echoed that sentiment in a heartfelt Instagram post:
“Inclusivity is essential to the future we’re building. I’m honored to walk with pride, with love, and with the hope of inspiring the next generation.”
What’s Next for Miss Miami?
With a newfound sense of purpose, a rapidly growing fanbase, and viral buzz from Miami Swim Week, Riley’s rise is only just beginning.
Once afraid of being “sad and alone,” she now stands in the spotlight—with a global audience, a powerful voice, and a story that’s nothing short of crown-worthy.
