Filipino-American transgender model Leyna Bloom revisited her milestone achievement as the first Filipina to walk the prestigious L’Oréal Paris runway in 2019. Her reflection came after Miss Universe 2015, Pia Wurtzbach, made headlines this year, claiming she was the first Filipina to grace the same stage.
Bloom took to Instagram on Friday, September 27, to share her pride in representing both the Philippines and the indigenous Blaan tribe from Southern Mindanao during her historic walk. “Reflecting on this journey, it feels surreal that nearly three years have passed since I made history as the first Filipino [Philippine flag emoji] and BlaanTribe woman to walk the prestigious L’Oréal Paris runway,” she wrote. Bloom also highlighted the significance of that moment, which took place in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower, calling it a “powerful reminder” of how far she and her fellow trailblazers have come.
In her post, Bloom emphasized the impact of her participation not only as a Filipina but also as a transgender woman. She noted that 2019 was a pivotal year for her, as she shared the stage with Ines Rau, marking the first time two transgender women walked the L’Oréal runway. “It wasn’t just about representation—it was about breaking boundaries, changing perceptions, and showing the world that beauty transcends the limits placed on us by society,” she said.
Bloom graciously congratulated Wurtzbach on her achievement, acknowledging her as the second Filipina to walk the runway. “Congratulations to Pia Wurtzbach for being the second Filipino woman to ever walk the show. You looked incredible on the runway this year,” Bloom remarked.
However, after a netizen pointed out that Stephanie Valentine, another Filipina, also shared the runway with Wurtzbach, Bloom promptly edited her post to include both women. “Huge congratulations to my Filipino sisters… for walking the runway this year—you both looked absolutely stunning and represented us beautifully,” she added.
Bloom also engaged with a netizen who corrected Wurtzbach’s statement about being the first Filipina on the L’Oréal runway. Bloom responded by reaffirming her role, saying, “Thank you. [I] love representing General Santos #Blaan tribe [Philippine flag emoji].”
Wurtzbach, in her original post on September 24, had expressed her excitement, stating she was “the first Filipina walking the L’Oréal catwalk for Le Défilé,” after the luxury brand announced her participation.
Bloom’s reflection served as a reminder of her groundbreaking role in the fashion world, celebrating diversity and inclusion while recognizing the achievements of her fellow Filipinas on the global stage.
