VH1 Orders Tyra Banks-Produced Series 'TransAmerica'

VH1 has ordered TransAmerica, a new docu-series executive produced by Tyra Banks and Gay Rosenthal. 

The series focuses on a group of transgender women from Chicago as they navigate personal and professional life. VH1 ordered 8 episodes of the 60-minute series, which is scheduled to premiere late 2014 or early 2015. 

Banks has had previous reality television success with her series America’s Next Top Model, while Rosenthal worked with VH1 on series such as Behind the Music

The cast of TransAmerica includes Carmen Carrera, a model; Giselle, a graduate student; Natalia, a beauty consultant for Christian Dior cosmetics; Sidney and Victory. 

“It would be easy to focus on the transgender aspect, but this series is about so much more,” said Susan Levison, Executive Vice President of VH1 Programming, in a statement, “This is a show about a group of compelling, gorgeous young friends who are on a unique journey while staying true to their authentic selves. We believe that message resonates”

In addition to Banks and Rosenthal’s involvement, the series is executive produced for VH1 by Susan Levison and Nina L. Diaz.