Bravo is making history with the upcoming debut of its new reality series Next Gen NYC, featuring Mira D’Spain as the network’s first full-time transgender cast member.
NBCUniversal, which owns Bravo, confirmed the news to Newsweek following the show’s announcement on Tuesday. A Bravo spokesperson said the show was created to reflect “the diversity and authenticity of this generation.”
Bravo has built a loyal following through its reality programming, including The Real Housewives, Vanderpump Rules, and Below Deck. While past shows have featured a mix of straight and gay personalities, D’Spain is the first transgender person to be cast as a main character.
In 2019, Vanderpump Rules included Billie Lee, a transgender hostess at the West Hollywood restaurant Sur, but she was a part-time cast member who appeared in 10 episodes before leaving the show after its seventh season.
D’Spain, 29, was born in Dubai and raised in Dallas. She studied at New York University and began her career with an internship at Paper magazine, where she later became the beauty director. She has modeled for major brands, including Victoria’s Secret, and gained a large online following with over 159,000 Instagram followers.
In 2022, D’Spain became the first Black transgender model to represent Victoria’s Secret. That same year, she was featured on the cover of Galore magazine and described as “TikTok’s It-Girl.”
Speaking with CR Fashion Book, D’Spain described her personal style as “Barbie glam” with a love for big hair, pink blush, and wispy lashes. She also shared lighter details, like her love of coffee, sushi, and pizza—and her wish to have met Joan Rivers.
When asked about representing the transgender community, D’Spain said she continues to search for balance.
“I never want my page to solely be about being trans because it’s just one part of my life,” she said. “That being said, I still want to lift my community up and champion them always.”
Next Gen NYC follows a group of young adults navigating life in New York City, including Ariana Biermann, Gia Giudice, Riley Burruss, and Brooks Marks. New faces Ava Dash, Shai Fruchter, Georgia McCann, Hudson McLeroy, and Charlie Zakkour also round out the cast.
The show premieres June 3 at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo and will stream on Peacock the following day.
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