Mimi Tao

Mimi Tao (, ; born 19 March 1993) is a Thai fashion model. She is best known for being the first transgender model to appear on the reality television series, Project Runway.

Early life Tao was born and raised in Khon Kaen, Thailand. She is the middle child of three, with an older sister and a younger brother, all born one year apart. At eleven she became a monk, but left the monastery after six years to help her family, who had been bankrupted by a financial crisis. She left for Pattaya and there she was offered a job as a cabaret dancer. After working for three months she left Pattaya to search for a better paying job in Bangkok. Tao successfully applied to work for the renowned Calypso Cabaret show and held that position for another couple of months. A TV documentary about the Thai supermodel which she came across while working there, sparked her interest in modelling. Yui taught Tao everything she knew: catwalk techniques, posing skills, how to get in the best light at a photo shoot, and how to book jobs. Tao spent three months studying under Yui until she was ready to enter the modeling industry on her own. In 2018, Tao appeared in 24 shows at New York Fashion Week.

In 2021 Tao became a regular model on season 19 of Project Runway. She also was a regular model in 2023's season 20.

In 2019, Tao was represented by the Los Angeles modeling agency Slay, which represents only transgender models.

Personal life Tao is a Buddhist. She is transgender.