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Who is Laith Ashley? Internet hails Taylor Swift as she casts trans model in 'Lavender Haze' music video

A user said, 'I mean Taylor Swift could've chosen anyone but she chose Laith Ashley, a transgender male actor, Truly a LGBTQ+ ally!'

Taylor Swift released a new video for her song 'Lavander Haze' starring a Transgender male model on January 27, Friday. Her new music video from the album 'Midnights' features a shirtless Laith Ashley as her love interest. 

In the music video released, Swift, who wrote and directed the video, is seen lying in bed together with Ashley before she reveals a starry sky on his bare back. The video features all things lavender with topless Swift mouthing the words of the song in a lavender-colored pool. Swift described the video as "a sultry sleepless 70’s fever dream." She and Ashley can be seen cuddling in the remarkable video and people have been quick to praise the groundbreaking release amid growing anti-trans sentiment and legislation in the US.

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Who is Laith Ashley?

Ashley, born on July 6 1989 in New York, is a 33-year-old Dominican-American model and activist for transgender issues. He began his transition process in 2014 and started modeling soon after that. He is represented by Slay Model Management agency. He started his career being photographed by Bruce Weber for Barney's campaign. He has also modeled for Diesel being photographed by David LaChapelle and became the first-ever transgender man to be featured in a Diesel campaign. He has appeared in various renowned fashion magazines including GQ, Vogue France, and Elle UK. In addition to being on the cover of magazines, he has also appeared in a number of fashion shows including walking for Gypsy Sport at New York Fashion Week and the Marco Marco Fashion Show at LA Style. 

In an Instagram post two days ago, Swift referred to Ashley as "my incredible co-star" who she "absolutely adored" working with. Ashley also posted on Instagram thanking Swift for choosing him to play her love interest in the video with the caption, "Thank you @taylorswift for allowing me to play a small part in your story. You are brilliant and this is an experience I will never forget. It was truly magical. Your storytelling abilities through your music and visuals continues to leave me in awe, inspired, and hopeful. Thank you for being an ally and for continuously using your platform for good. Representation matters. AND LOVE WILL ALWAYS WIN! Now go check it out if you haven't already."

People on the internet are applauding Swift for the music video. One Twitter user said, "I mean Taylor Swift could've chosen anyone but she chose Laith Ashley, a transgender male actor, to be part of Lavender Haze mv. That shows how much she values inclusivity. Truly a LGBTQ+ ally!!!" One fan said, "During a time where trans people are constantly under attack and facing prejudice at what seems like all corners, having a major pop star like Taylor swift feature a trans man as a life interest in a charting song is a huge deal. #LavenderHazeMusicVideo."

Another fan said, "the fact that taylor swift has a trans man as her lead in the video, shirtless, showing affirming surgery scars AHH ITS SO BEAUTIFUL!!" One fan said, "TAYLOR SWIFT raising platforms to the TRANS community by casting a trans man as her love interest in the Lavender Haze music video. THAT SCREAMS SUBSTANCE. MISS TAYLOR IS AWARE! A QUEEN INDEED." Fans also praised Ashley for his role. A fan said, "You are fantastic, Laith! This is so so inspiring and wonderful to see as a queer person sending you endless love and congratulations!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.