'I always felt more feminine than male': Poland's Next Top Model favourite tells judges how she was born a hermaphrodite



With her flawless skin and versatile look, it is little surprise that Michalina Manios is a favourite to win Poland's Next Top Model.

But the 22-year-old stunned viewers last night when she revealed to judges that she was born a hermaphrodite.

She explained that she had both male and female genitalia at birth, but was officially considered male until four years ago because doctors had initially assumed she was a boy.



Feminine: Poland's Next Top Model favourite Michalina Manios stunned judges last night when she revealed that she was born a hermaphrodite and was considered male until just four years ago



She told the panel: 'I was born a hermaphrodite and when the doctors first saw me they assumed I was a boy as I had male genitalia.



'But I grew up feeling more feminine than male and so four years ago I had an operation to remove the male bits and changed my name.'

The beauty has proved a hit with Polish supermodel Joanna Krupa, who hosts the show's Polish edition.

Front runner: The 22-year-old beauty has proved a hit with supermodel Joanna Krupa, who hosts the show

Pole position: With her flawless skin and versatile look, it is little surprise that Miss Manios is tipped to win

She is joined on the judging panel by fashion designer Dawid Woliński, journalist Karolina Korwin-Piotrowska and photographer Marcin Tyszka.

Supermodel Anja Rubik has also appeared on the show as as a celebrity guest mentor.

Miss Manios is not the first transgender model to make waves on the fashion scene in recent years. Brazilian supermodel Lea T, who has posed alongside Kate Moss and is muse to Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci, was born male.

Versatile: Judges have praised Miss Manios for her ability to look different in every shoot she has done so far

And androgynous male model Andrej Pejic, the current darling of the fashion world, models more womenswear than he does menswear thanks to his delicate features, slender build and long blonde hair.

