Who is trans Next Gen NYC cast member Emira D’Spain?

American model Emira D’Spain has become the first full-time trans cast member of a Bravo show after joining Next Gen NYC.

The reality series was announced on 8 April and follows the children of several Bravo stars as well as newcomers like Emira D’Spain. Bravo explained: “Next Gen NYC follows a tangled web of friends raised in the spotlight — or at least close enough for good lighting — as they stumble into adulthood one brunch, breakup and spontaneous decision at a time.”

Emira D’Spain, 29, is joined by Bravo newcomers Shai Fruchter, Georgia McCann, and Charlie Zakkour.

Real Housewives children Gia Giudice, Ariana Biermann, Brooks Marks, and Riley Burruss also star, and their parents also appear in the series. Alongside them will be Ava Dash, the daughter of Damon Dash and Rachel Roy, and Ariana’s boyfriend, Hudson McLeroy.

Posting about her casting on Instagram in April, D’Spain wrote: “time to be messy.”

Next Gen NYC certainly is messy. During one group dinner, things get a little tense for Gia, Brooks, and Ariana. At one point Gia says, “Shut the f**k up.” Meanwhile, Ariana calls Brooks out for being “a d**k.”

Dramas also unfold over money, fashion, and family.

Emira D’Spain’s casting represents a new milestone for the reality-tv network. Until now, the restaurant hostess, Billie Lee, had the biggest role on a Bravo show held by a trans person. As a part-time cast member on Vanderpump Rules she appeared in 10 episodes before leaving the show in 2019.

Responding to Newsweek about D’Spain’s casting, a Bravo spokesperson said, “It was important for Next Gen NYC to highlight the diversity and authenticity of this generation.”

Who is Emira D’Spain?

The model and influencer is originally from Dubai but was raised in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from New York University and secured a job as Paper Magazine’s beauty director.

She previously worked with Victoria’s Secret and was the first Black transgender model for the brand. WWD reports she has also modelled for Fenty Beauty, Ugg, Anastasia Beverly Hills and NARS Cosmetics.

A bio for D’Spain on the Bravo website reads: “Ambitious, driven and always two steps ahead, Emira lives life on her own terms and never apologizes for her success. She usually stays above the fray when drama unfolds, but this summer, balancing romance and friendship loyalties might disrupt her perfectly planned hustle.”

In 2022 she appeared in Galore magazine where she was referred to as TikTok’s ‘It Girl’, though she’s said she’s struggled with how to effectively use social media in the past. Newsweek reports her as saying: “Part of me goes back and forth where I feel like I’m not doing enough for my community, and then sometimes when I feel like my transness plays too big of a role on my platforms.

“I never want my page to solely be about being trans because it’s just one part of my life. That being said, I still want to lift my community up and champion them always. So I don’t know yet—I’m still finding a way to accomplish that perfect balance.”

Next Gen NYC premiered on Bravo in June.