AceShowbiz - Transgender model Valentina Sampaio has responded to criticism surrounding her debut at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show earlier this month. In a new interview, Valentina was forced to defend herself against the haters.

Valentina, who had become the brand's first openly transgender model in 2019, told TMZ of her historical runway walk, "It was a dream come true, one that so many people told me would be impossible for me to ever realize and I just did." She added, "It makes me feel seen, accepted and valued for who I am as a person, as a professional."

The Brazilian model, who walked the runway alongside fellow transgender star Alex Consani, continued, "It's collectively a step forward in celebrating the rights of my community, to live and work with dignity." Challenging the haters, she noted, "We are here. We always have been here. And we always will be here. I'd like to see more brands embrace diversity and representation."

In a separate interview, Valentina admitted that becoming Victoria's Secret's first trans model is something she will "cherish for a lifetime." She told PEOPLE, "Today, the Victoria's Secret family has shown the world that being trans is just as exceptional and beautiful as anyone else on that runway."

"Inclusivity is crucial to the world we're building, and I'm honored to walk with pride, love and the hope of inspiring the next generation," she added.

Born in a fishing village in Aquiraz, Brazil, Valentina said she was eight years old when a psychologist identified her as transgender. She told the New York Times that she "always felt like a girl." She received support from her father, who is a fisherman, and her mother, who is a teacher, as her parents "are very proud" of her choice.

Valentina graced the front cover of Vogue Paris entitled "Transgender Beauty" back in 2017. She later started working with big brands, including Moschino, H&M, Balmain, L'Oreal, Marc Jacobs Beauty and Dior Beauty.