France soccer player Kylian Mbappe’s rumored girlfriend Ines Rau made history in the November/December 2017 issue of Playboy magazine. The French model, then 26-year-old, became the first openly, transgender Playmate, with a pictorial and centerfold in the long 64-year history of the men’s lifestyle and entertainment magazine.
The model was almost in disbelief at how her life took a turn for the good.
“When I was doing this shoot, I was thinking of all those hard days in my childhood,” she said in an interview. “And now everything happening gives me so much joy and happiness. I thought, ‘Am I really going to be a Playmate—me?’ It’s the most beautiful compliment I’ve ever received. It’s like getting a giant bouquet of roses.”
Ines Rau became the first transgender Playmate to feature in Playboy.
Ines Rau reveals why she had surgery at 16
At the young age of 16, Rau underwent gender reassignment surgery. She had drawn inspiration from the first transgender woman to pose for Playboy, actress Caroline ‘Tula’ Cossey. Tula appeared as a Bond Girl in 1981’s For Your Eyes Only and was outed as transgender later.
Caroline Cossey, modeling under the name Tula, posed for Playboy and even appeared in the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only. She was outed by a tabloid as transgender. Also she did lose work, she petitioned for several years to change British laws regarding trans people. #PoseFX pic.twitter.com/DAqPxgDWSt
— The Bowery Boys Podcast (@BoweryBoys) August 21, 2019
Rau read a book called I Am a Woman, written by Tula. The French model read and reread the book before undergoing surgery. Rau told models.com:
“Until now I wasn’t really out about it. I just woke up one day realizing that it’s enough, I need to embrace who I am and be loved for what I am and what I have been through- without the fear of being rejected.”
Ines’ family and friends supported her but Rau thought the world would reject her if they knew she was transgender.
“I was like, You know, you should just be who you are. It’s salvation to speak the truth about yourself, whether it’s your gender, sexuality, or whatever. The people who reject you aren’t worth it. It’s not about being loved by others; it’s about loving yourself.”. At the age of 24, she embraced her sexuality.
Achievements of Ines Rau in her modeling career
Ines Rau was the first openly transgender Playmate. The French model of Algerian descent was Playboy magazine’s Playmate of the Month for November 2017. However, the November issue was not the first time Rau was photographed for Playboy. She had appeared in a May 2014 A-Z Issue. It was a spread titled “Evolution” that aimed to prove acceptance of gender identities of all forms.
Model Ines Rau has made history by becoming Playboy’s first transgender Playmate. https://t.co/oGr0MrZrQO pic.twitter.com/blb5GL75Wb
— BBC (@BBC) October 28, 2017
Following her magazine appearances, the Paris-born model has had a successful career. She has worked as a model for American fashion designer Nicole Miller, Brooklyn-based lifestyle brand Alexis Bittar and Barneys New York. She has also made an appearance in a campaign for Balmain and in Vogue Italia.
Rumors about Kylian Mbappe and Ines Rau
Earlier in 2022, French soccer player Kylian Mbappe was linked to model Ines Rau. Rumors were heating up that the two are together. They were spotted at Cannes Film Festival in May getting cozy with each other.
Yes, Mbappe’s trans girlfriend, Ines Rau pic.twitter.com/6JRHS49NJH
— mybirthdaydateis420 (@mybirthdaydate1) December 18, 2022
France soccer’s hottest property, Kylian Mbappe, was also seen carrying her in his arms at the beach. This sparked many fans to believe that the two were together. However, Mbappe has managed to keep his dating life extremely private. There is nothing official stated by the Frenchman about his relationship status.
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