Next Gen NYC star Emira D’Spain is a true trailblazer! Emira is a model and content creator. Before she made her reality TV debut, the new Bravo star made trans history. Now, she’s starring alongside Bravo’s notable nepo babies on the new Manhattan-set series. Here’s everything to know about Emira, Bravo’s newest LBGTQ+ star.
Emira D’Spain from Next Gen NYC made trans history
Before joining Bravo’s hottest new show, Emira D’Spain made history as the first Black trans woman to model for Victoria’s Secret. Emira referenced this campaign in the first episode of Next Gen NYC, saying that it “kind of, like, blew up.” Her trailblazing campaign with Victoria’s Secret was in February 2022.
At the time, she wrote on Instagram, “Honored to be the first black trans girl working with @victoriassecret.” She continued, “As a kid, I only DREAMED of working with Victoria’s Secret.” Emira shouted out the first trans woman to model for Victoria’s Secret, Valentina Sampaio, who “paved the way and it’s such an honor to continue that legacy on the first day of black history month.”
In addition to making trans history with Victoria’s Secret, Emira’s already had quite the modeling career. She’s also modeled for major brands like Fenty Beauty and NARS cosmetics. She appeared in Nylon and posed for the cover of Glamour magazine. When she posed for the cover of Galore Magazine, Emira was proclaimed “TikTok’s It-Girl.”
Now, Emira continues to break barriers as the first full-time openly trans cast member on a Bravo show.
What did Emira do before Next Gen NYC?
Emira was born in Dubai and raised in Dallas. She moved to the Big Apple to attend NYU. In the premiere, Emira joked, “When I tell you New York has seen my glow up.” She added, “Years later, I’m that b*tch.”
After attending NYU, Emira was the beauty director for Paper Magazine. While working in that highly coveted position, also built up a significant following on TikTok. She typically posts beauty and fashion content, especially “Get Ready With Me” (or GRWM) videos. Her GRWM videos have racked up over 85 million views.
Today, she has 1.3 million followers on the app. She also has over 200k followers on Instagram. As we saw on the premiere of Next Gen NYC, Emira’s content creator career has been so successful, she was able to buy her family a house!
When describing her content, Emira noted that she wants to help inspire others. “All the things that I put out into the world, it’s like I want everyone to feel confident,” she said.
Emira has “hustle in her DNA.” As described in her cast bio, “Ambitious, driven and always two steps ahead, Emira lives life on her own terms and never apologizes for her success.”
What to expect from Emira on Next Gen NYC
Before the show, Emira already had a large following on TikTok and a successful content creator career. On Next Gen NYC, Emira is focused on her burgeoning modeling career. In the premiere, she walks her first runway show. And in the preview for Next Gen NYC Season 1, Emira gets an ad in Times Square with the brand Kosas! She also promises, “I love being messy.” She’s blunt and honest, and has a big personality. She joked (?) that she’s “banned from Mallorca.”
Emira was introduced to the show as Brooks Marks’ friend. They met at NYU. “Brooksy is like my little baby,” Emira gushed in a confessional. Brooks warned, “One thing about Emira, you should never cross her friend.” Meanwhile, Emira said that Brooks is the type of friend who will “tell you what you don’t want to hear.” But added that he always does it in “the sweetest way.” Will their friendship survive reality TV?
Emira also hit things off with Gia Giudice. Gia came out from Jersey for Emira’s debut fashion show. In fact, the whole cast came out to support her. Afterwards, they went to a dinner to celebrate her first runway gig. Naturally, things got messy.
This season should show more of her relationship with her boyfriend Kevin who, along with her mom Fouzia, attend the show to support her. According to Emira’s Bravo bio, “She usually stays above the fray when drama unfolds, but this summer, balancing romance and friendship loyalties might disrupt her perfectly planned hustle.”
