From Beauty Director to Influencer — Emira D’Spain Breaks Barriers and Shares Influencer Secrets
3/13/20260 min
This week, we’re joined by Emira D’Spain — model, influencer, television personality, and former beauty director at PAPER magazine — who has been breaking barriers across fashion, media, and entertainment. Emira made history as the first Black trans model to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and the first full-time trans cast member on Bravo, but before influencing, she was building a traditional editorial career after graduating magna cum laude from NYU. We talk about how she made the leap from beauty editor to full-time creator, how her editorial background shapes the way she approaches influencing, and what people don’t see behind the scenes of brand events and partnerships. Emira also spills a little influencer tea, shares the content that performs best for her today, and opens up about the biggest lessons she’s learned navigating social media, business, and beauty.
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Clips
Transcript
27 sentencesKirbie Johnson· Host0:00
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Sara Tan· Host0:36
[upbeat jingle] G-L-A-M, Gloss Angeles. Hi, Kirbie.
Kirbie Johnson· Host0:44
Hi, Sarah.
Sara Tan· Host0:45
Welcome to Gloss Angeles.
Kirbie Johnson· Host0:48
[upbeat music] All right, everyone. Today's guest is a model, influencer, and television personality who got her start as beauty director of Paper Magazine. She's broken barriers in fashion and television by being the first Black trans model to walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and the first full-time trans cast member on Bravo. You've probably seen her sharing her best makeup and hair tips while slightly dragging herself in the process. [laughs] Amira Despaine, welcome to Gloss Angeles.
Sara Tan· Host1:18
Yay.
Emira D’Spain· Guest1:18
Hi.
Kirbie Johnson· Host1:19
Stunning.
Emira D’Spain· Guest1:20
Thank you.
Kirbie Johnson· Host1:21
[laughs] Stunning. Snaps.
Sara Tan· Host1:21
Yeah, wow.
Kirbie Johnson· Host1:21
Round of applause.
Emira D’Spain· Guest1:22
I'm so happy to be here.
Sara Tan· Host1:23
[laughs] We- It's like the glow is blinding.
Kirbie Johnson· Host1:26
[laughs] We first met Amira two years ago-