Riley Silverman
Riley Silverman may be one of the funniest comedians smashing the patriarchy, but to many fans, she’s known for her style. She got discovered for her frequent photo-based reviews on the site of online clothing retailer ModCloth. The company’s co-founder spotted Silverman’s photos of herself in ModCloth clothes in the Style Gallery, and pinned her for a modeling opportunity as #Fashion-Truth girl for April 2015, making her ModCloth’s first transgender model. Despite her budding fashion success, Silverman’s calling is still comedy. “I really like being able to connect with audiences and dig into what makes us laugh,” says the Midwesterner, who now lives in Los Angeles. “I especially like finding common ground in topics that might not seem like there is any.” Silverman has appeared on Comedy Central’s “Not Safe with Nikki Glaser,” and will be appearing on the upcoming second season of Seeso’s “Take My Wife.” This summer, she will headline the Portland Queer Comedy Festival. Coming out, for her, was “slow and meandering,” and she often thinks back on what kind of role model she needed as a kid. She hopes to be that role model for others. “As self-aggrandizing as this sounds, sometimes I just think being here is what matters,” she says. She loves it when parents of younger trans kids approach her after shows. “I think I help them see a future where their kids will be alright, and they help me see a future where kids won’t have to go through what I did.”—SJ
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