A new twist for ‘America’s Next Top Model’

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King's mother, through a Top Model representative, declined an interview request.

Once in New York, she legally changed her name, selecting "King" to honor her mother's side of the family. She chose Isis as her first name, after the powerful Egyptian goddess.

But her mother didn't take to it. She instead called her "D," for Darrell.

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In New York, King had also had run into obstacles. The $4,500 she had saved to move to the city had dried up, and she needed help getting back on her feet. She moved into an apartment provided by The Ali Forney Center, an organization that serves homeless gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth.

"Technically, I was homeless," King said. "I just wasn't living literally on the street."

In late 2007, America's Next Top Model filmed an episode in New York to raise awareness about homeless youth. The contestants modeled in street clothes and a handful of homeless youth donned couture, serving as extras in the shoot.

King was one of them.

When Banks later scrutinized models' photos for judging, "she kept on noticing Isis," executive producer Ken Mok said. "And she said, 'Who is that girl?'"

King clearly knew how to pose, understood fashion and was passionate, he said.

Earlier this year, Top Model found King and invited her to audition for the new season.

"I think the one message we always try to get out there, that Tyra always expresses, is you want to widen the spectrum of what is considered beautiful," Mok said.

Top Model was actually shot over the summer, so King and other contestants already know their fates though they are not permitted to discuss them. Fans of the reality show, which airs Wednesday nights, will have to wait until Dec. 10 to learn who wins.

King says her main challenge on Top Model was being so vulnerable in front of millions.

"For the world to see my issues and my struggles as a person, with my whole transition — I think that was probably the toughest thing I had to endure," she said.

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But King, who now lives in New Jersey, said she believes she has a future in fashion.

She's hopeful, too, about her family's acceptance of her life.

On a recent visit to Maryland, King was playing with her younger brother when her mother called out to her, she said.

There was no hesitation — she was no longer "D."

For the first time, her mother called her Isis.

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