Meet your November 2017 Playmate, @supa_ines. "Nudity shouldn’t be taboo. Nudity means a lot to me, since I went through a transition to get where I want to be. Nudity is a celebration of the human being without all the excess. It’s not about sexuality but the beauty of the human body, whether male or female." 📷 by @derekkettela
Cooper Hefner, Playboy's chief creative officer, told the New York Times that choosing Rau as the Playmate "speaks to the brand's philosophy."
“It’s the right thing to do," Hefner told the Times. "We’re at a moment where gender roles are evolving.”
While Hefner stands behind his decision, the reaction from fans on social media was mixed. Many praised Rau's beauty, but others accused the magazine of using the model as a marketing ploy and "pushing" their agenda down readers throats.
The Paris-born beauty has appeared in a Balmain campaign and Vogue Italia. She's also appeared in the front row of Desigual, Zuhair Murad and AREA fashion shows.
Rau says it took her a while to find her confidence. "I lived a long time without saying I was transgender," she told Playboy. "I dated a lot and almost forgot. I was scared of never finding a boyfriend and being seen as weird. Then I was like, 'You know, you should just be who you are.' It's a salvation to speak the truth about yourself, whether it's your gender, sexuality, whatever. The people who reject you aren't worth it. It's not about being loved by others; it's about loving yourself."
Beyond the fashion world, the 26-year-old told the men's mag, "I just signed a book deal, and I just shot a film. I really want to be an action star!" She hopes to "call Los Angeles home soon."
