Laith Ashley is a transgender model and activist known for his work in the fashion industry and his advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.

He has used his platform to raise awareness about the lack of representation and inclusivity in the fashion industry and to advocate for trans rights.

Taylor Swift appreciated Laith Ashley

Taylor Swift has released the visually stunning music video for the hit single “Lavender Haze” from her latest album “Midnights.” 

The video takes the viewer on a surreal, dreamlike world inspired by the ’70s, featuring purple smoke, flowers growing from the carpet, and a television that reveals a galaxy.

The video stars Taylor as the lead, alongside Laith Ashley, a transgender model, and actor, who plays her lover in the video. 

The video ends with Taylor falling asleep on a cloud in a sea of swimming koi fish, surrounded by stars.

On Instagram, Taylor praised Laith for his performance, stating, “There is my incredible co-star @laith_ashley who I adore working with.” She also mentioned, “This was the first video I wrote out of the 3 that have been released, and this one really helped me conceptualize the world and mood of Midnights.”

Who is Laith Ashley?

Laith Ashley grew up in a working-class family in the Bronx, New York. From a young age, Ashley knew he was different from his peers and did not identify with the gender he was assigned at birth. 

However, it wasn’t until he was in his teens that he began to explore his gender identity and understand the concept of being transgender.

Despite facing discrimination and harassment, Ashley continued to explore his gender identity, transitioned to living as a man, and started working in a barbershop, where he found a supportive community.  

Laith began masculinizing hormone therapy, and within a few months, his voice had deepened, and he had grown a beard. Nine months later, he underwent a double mastectomy and adopted the name Laith.

Ashley is one of the few openly transgender models to have achieved success in the fashion industry.

In addition to his work in the fashion industry, Ashley is also an advocate for trans rights more broadly. He has spoken about the importance of visibility and representation for trans people and has called for greater acceptance and understanding of the trans community. 

Ashley began his career as a model in 2013 and has since walked in New York Fashion Week and appeared in campaigns for brands such as H&M and American Apparel. 

He has also been featured in Vogue, Elle, and GQ publications. In addition to his modeling work. Ashley has also been involved in various charitable efforts and has worked with organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign and the Translation Network.