The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Model›Leyna Bloom
Entertainment • Model

Leyna Bloom

Leyna Bloom is an American model, dancer, actor, and activist.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Leyna Bloom is an American model, dancer, actor, and activist. She is recognized for breaking barriers as a transgender woman of colour, including being the first openly transgender woman of colour to appear in Vogue India and in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. She also made history at the Cannes Film Festival with her leading role in Port Authority.

Early life

Bloom was born in Chicago, Illinois, and is of Filipino and African-American heritage. Sources disagree on her birth year, with some listing 1990 and others 1993 or 1994.

Modeling career

Bloom became known for breaking barriers in fashion. In 2017, she was the first openly transgender woman of colour to be featured in Vogue India. In 2021, she appeared in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, described as the first openly transgender Black and Asian-American model in the issue.

Acting career

Her screen work includes the feature film Port Authority, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019. Sources describe this as the first time a trans woman of colour led a feature film at the festival. She also appeared in the final season of the FX series Pose.

Public profile and activism

Bloom is identified as an activist and public figure associated with LGBTQ+ visibility and representation in fashion and entertainment.

Key facts

  • First openly transgender woman of colour to appear in Vogue India (2017).
  • First trans woman of colour to lead a feature film at Cannes (Port Authority, 2019).
  • First openly transgender Black and Asian-American model in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (2021).
  • Appeared in the final season of the FX series Pose.
  • Identified as an activist for LGBTQ+ visibility and representation.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Leyna Bloom?
Leyna Bloom is an American model, dancer, actor, and activist known for breaking barriers as a transgender woman of colour in fashion and film.
What is Leyna Bloom known for?
She is known for appearing in Vogue India and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, and for acting in Port Authority and Pose.
Where was Leyna Bloom born?
Sources identify Chicago, Illinois, United States, as her birthplace.
What is Leyna Bloom’s background?
Sources describe her as having Filipino and African-American heritage.
What is Leyna Bloom’s connection to Cannes?
Her film Port Authority premiered at Cannes in 2019, which sources describe as a first for a trans woman of colour leading a feature at the festival.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9192069/
    Supports: Identifies Bloom as a transgender model, dancer, actor, and activist.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leyna_Bloom
    Supports: Provides overview, birthplace, and career highlights; source for birth-year conflict.
  3. All American Speakers — https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Leyna+Bloom/449077
    Supports: States she was the first transgender woman of colour in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and first trans woman of colour featured in Vogue India.
  4. TIME — https://time.com/6053051/leyna-bloom-interview/
    Supports: Describes Port Authority, Cannes premiere, and Bloom’s 2017 Vogue India milestone.
  5. South China Morning Post — https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3143220/meet-leyna-bloom-first-transgender-model-cover-sports
    Supports: States Bloom was born in Chicago to a Filipino mother and African-American father and discusses her Sports Illustrated milestone.