Ines Rau is known for her ambitious and determined personality. She started modelling at age 16 and rose to prominence due to her dazzling looks and bold personality.
As a result, she has been featured in several top magazines, including Harper’s Bazaar. Also, around 2022, she received worldwide fame when it was alleged that she was dating PSG and French forward Kylian Mbappe.
With that said, here are more details about the French model’s career and sexuality.
She is of Algerian descent
Who is Ines Rau, and why is she popular? Ines-Loan Rau is a French model who made history as the first openly transgender Playmate in Playboy magazine’s history. She was born in 1990 in France and is of Algerian descent.
Ines is popular for gracing Balmain and Vogue runway shows and making headlines for her comments against racism and sexism. Many know her for her daring yet elegant style.
She underwent a gender-affirming surgery
Was Ines Rau a man? Ines Rau’s parents assigned her the male gender when she was born. But when she turned 16, she transitioned and underwent a gender-affirming surgery.
While growing up, the transgender model always wanted to be a princess and then a rock star. She then read a book by British model and actress Caroline Cossey titled I Am Woman at least two times, which motivated her to be a woman.
Ines assumed her new look and became a model. When she told her family and friends about her gender change, they surprisingly supported her.
There are some random photos of Ines Rau then and now that you can find online.
She is the first openly transgender Playmate in Playboy magazine
After her surgery at 16, the transgender model gained recognition for her striking looks and bold personality. She became a dancer at 18, primarily performing for DJs in Ibiza.
When she turned 23, Ines posed nude for a French luxury magazine. Soon, others in the modelling and fashion industries noticed her and made her a transgender model.
In 2014, the French model appeared nude in Playboy magazine’s A-Z issue in a feature called Evolution. The publication aimed to represent gender identities beyond the male-female binary.
In 2017, Ines Rau made history as the first openly transgender Playmate in Playboy magazine’s 64-year history.
Since then, she has been featured in Balmain and Vogue runway shows and worked as a model for Nicole Miller, Alexis Bittar, and Barneys New York.
She is rumoured to have dated French forward Kylian Mbappe
Ines Rau and Kylian Mbappe’s relationship started around 2022. The duo was first spotted at the Cannes Film Festival.
Their second encounter was more romantic because the paparazzi spotted them enjoying a serene time on a yacht. The French striker looked happy and even lifted Rau in his arms.
Although they appeared to be a couple, they never confirmed or denied their relationship. Nevertheless, they kept it as an open secret.
She is an advocate for transgender rights
The alleged relationship between Ines Rau and Mbappe ended after the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It is unknown why they never kept in touch or revealed whether they were romantically involved.
Reports emerged that Mbappe ended the relationship after suffering homophobic chants from fans during the World Cup in Qatar.
As of 2023, it is unknown whether Ines Rau is dating anyone. However, she continues to focus on her modelling career and advocacy work for transgender rights. She mostly comments against racism and sexism and has remained actively campaigning for transgender rights.
After his brief encounter with Ines Rau, the French forward started dating Belgian model Stephanie Rose Bertram. Reports of the relationship between Mbappe and Bertram emerged after the World Cup.
Stephanie Bertram is a Belgian model and former partner of ex-PSG right-back Gregory van der Viel. It was reported that the model was in Qatar cheering on Mbappe from the stands and was also present at the Lusail stadium for the World Cup final.
However, the relationship is still a secret, and the two have not confirmed whether they are romantically involved.