Well, the much anticipated debut of Cycle 11 occurred on Wednesday night and as I expected from someone who rocked the ballrooms in the runway category, she's all that and four bags of chips. She's also exposed a not too well kept secret about the modeling industry.

A few of the girls walking the runways are transwomen.

It's been rumored for years that ballroom legend Tracy Africa went from walking the ballroom floors in the 90's to getting paid strutting catwalks in New York and the fashion capitals of Europe.

Top Model judge and noted fashion photographer Nigel Barker said in a recent interview, "One of the things about the fashion industry, is that there have been many transgender models over the years. It's very legitimate in our industry. It's a bit shocking for prime-time TV, but it opens peoples' eyes."

Even though Isis was discovered when she participated in a photo shoot during Cycle 10 of America's Next Top Model, she honed her modeling sashays walking the femme queen runway category in various balls.

Isis may just be in a competition to realize her dream of becoming a model, but she's also, like Jackie Robinson did when he broke baseball's color line 51 years earlier, carrying the hopes and dreams of the African-American transgender and ballroom communities with her.

Her participation on this show is also exposing for the entire world to see the ignorant ugliness directed at transgender people.

The other thing that's cool about this is that it exposes a side of African-American transgender people we rarely get to see portrayed on television. We are beautiful and intelligent people who have hopes, dreams and aspirations, just like 'errbody' else, and given an opportunity and a fair shot, we can rise to the occasion. And not too unlike Tyra Banks when she broke into the modeling ranks 90's and did some trailblazing things enroute to achieving supermodel status, she's competing to extend the legacy of trailblazing African-American models.

No pressure. She's already a winner in my book by just being there and having the inner strength to fight for what she wants. And Isis, if you're reading this, you're not alone. Your transsistahs love you and have your back

As someone who knows from personal experience what it's like to be a transgender pioneer, I have a clue what shes dealing with. Isis has handled with class, dignity and style the media attention, the transphobic remarks from various quarters and even the cattily snide remarks from her fellow competitors while exhibiting a laser-beam like focus on the task at hand.

It was interesting to note that one of the first competitors to be sent packing was ShaRaun. She was the ringleader of some of the catty sniping during Isis' first photo shoot. She also said, "America's Next Top Model isn't going to be a drag queen."

Well, Miss Thang, it ain't gonna be you either, because as they say in the ballroom community, you've been chopped.

I'm also waiting to see what happens to Clark, who's also hatin' on Isis. She was quoted as saying, "Isis has no place in this competition." Umm, this competition is all about who can model. Possessing ovaries and a vagina doesn't automatically give you a leg up in that department.

Even if Isis doesn't walk away with the ultimate prize, there are legions of African-American transpeople and her supporters who hope she does. But I'd love to see her win this cycle of America's Next Top Model just for the self esteem boost it will give many transgender kids (and adults) struggling with myriad issues.

And yeah, it would be cool to see her doing a Cover Girl commercial and strutting the runways . . .