Aariana Rose Philip, the first Black trans model with quadriplegic cerebral palsy signed by a top-tier modeling agency, made headlines by attending the 2026 Met Gala in a powered wheelchair, becoming the first wheelchair user in the event’s history.
Throughout her career, she has worked with brands such as Victoria’s Secret, Sephora, Calvin Klein, and BOSS, and has appeared on the covers of British Vogue and Netherlands Vogue. However, Philip pointed out that despite all her achievements, the fashion industry continues to be driven by “whiteness”, which remains an obstacle for models with her profile.
Her statements sparked a massive debate on social media between those who support her and those who question her stance.
