As a little boy, Lando van der Schee (23) was glued to the TV when America’s Next Top Model was on TV. Due to mental problems and the focus on thetransition from boy to girl, the Enschedeër put aside the desire to become amodel for a while. *That Lando wins the thirteenth season of Holland ‘sNext Top Model years later as a beautiful woman is a dream come true. “I am proud of myself.”*
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Lando still works full-time at Subway sandwich shop in the city center ofEnschede. But her life will look completely different in the near future.Today (Monday 14 November) was the denouement of the latest season ofHolland’s Next Top Model. Lando beats fellow finalists Philip and Jazz to takehome the coveted title.
Grateful and proud
“A storm of emotions.” This is how the Enschedeër describes the denouement ofthe modeling competition. “My whole body started to shake. But most of all Ifelt grateful that so many people voted for me. And I felt proud. I haveovercome so much during this program.”
“I don ‘t have to hide anymore“
Lando started the TV adventure as an insecure girl. She hid her insecuritybehind a mask of make-up. “I am a sensitive person. I really care what someonethinks of me. I always saw that as a weak quality of myself. Makeup felt likea shield I could hide behind. I now know that my sensitivity is actually agood quality. I don’t have to hide anymore.”
source of inspiration
The program has made her more confident. “And more mature. I found out that ifyou really want something, it can happen.” As a trans woman, she especiallywants to inspire people who are struggling with themselves and their genderexpression. She herself knows how that feels. “I always knew I was differentfrom other kids. Wasn’t comfortable in my own skin for years, but I didn’tunderstand where it came from.”
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Ups and downs
That changed when she started her training as a beautician in 2016. “That yearI came out as transgender. Then I started discovering girl life.” Thenlaughing: “And I went very well with that.” That doesn’t mean that things wentwell for her after that. “It went through ups and downs. But now I’m doingreally well.”
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Lando with her fellow finalists. Photo: Tom Cornelissen
Role models in the media
Lando is delighted that this season of Holland’s Next Top Model is moreinclusive than ever. “Everyone is beautiful in their own way. Why should therebe only one standard model? Young people want to recognize themselves in thepeople they see on TV or in the magazines. They are looking for role models.That is why diversity is so important.”
Lando himself will soon be featured in the magazines. She has won a photoshoot and an interview in Dutch Vogue. And a contract with model agency TheMovement Models. So her boss at Subway can expect a letter of resignation?Lando laughs. “I don’t think I’ll be working there for very long, no.”
To the big city
She will also be leaving beautiful Enschede. “I want to move to the big city.I’ve always said I want to live in Amsterdam. Also in terms of modeling thatis more convenient for me. But I also think Enschede is very pleasant.Everyone is nice and sober. I like that.”