Jesinta Franklin throws her support behind swimwear brand Seafolly’s bearded non-binary ambassador

Jesinta Franklin is a big fan of Deni Todorovič, the non-binary activist who has made headlines after claiming to be an ‘ambassador ‘for the swimwear brand Seafolly. 

The model insisted that ‘fashion is about inclusivity’ and ‘being authentic’ adding that ‘the more brands that promote that the better’. 

‘I find what they do so inspirational, especially as a parent, because it provides visibility to a group of people who have been silenced and pushed away for so long,’ Franklin told The Herald Sun on Saturday. 

‘As a mother I want to see more of it because I want both of my children to grow up knowing that they can be 100 per cent who they are without any fear of judgment or oppression’ the 31-year-old added. 

On Friday, Seafolly denied Todorovič (pictured) was an ambassador for the brand, and said they were a ‘special guest’ to the brand’s World Pride event in Sydney 

On Friday, Seafolly denied Todorovič was an ambassador for the brand, and said they were a ‘special guest’ to the brand’s World Pride event in Sydney. 

The swimwear giant clarified who their official female brand ambassador is amid widespread criticism for allowing a non-binary activist to promote their brand.

British-born, New York-based model Joanna Halpin, 31, has been the official face of the celebrated swimwear brand’s latest campaign, Summer Somewhere, since early February. 

The stunning model’s role was overshadowed this week when non-binary influencer Deni Todorovič, who uses they/them pronouns, claimed on social media that they were Seafolly’s ‘ambassador and brand partner’.

‘I find what they do so inspirational, especially as a parent, because it provides visibility to a group of people who have been silenced and pushed away for so long,’ Franklin told The Herald Sun on Saturday 

Seafolly also issued a statement on Friday, insisting that they are ‘supportive of all women’ and that Halpin is their official ambassador, not non-binary transgender activist Deni.

Halpin spoke out on Saturday in an interview with News Corp’s Stellar magazine, where she appeared to subtly reference the recent furore surrounding Deni’s association with Seafolly. 

‘Brands now work with people who are not necessarily a model, more a personality,’ she said. 

‘It’s not just limited to models in the way it was in the ’90s, with traditionally beautiful women.’

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Todorovič said the criticism still ‘deeply hurt’ despite its predictability and he’d been flooded with hateful and abusive comments since working with Seafolly. 

 ‘As a mother I want to see more of it because I want both of my children to grow up knowing that they can be 100 per cent who they are without any fear of judgment or oppression’ the 31-year-old added

‘The proud moment comes when I think about why campaigns like this are so necessary,’ they said.

‘We need queer people on TV, in parliament and in power. And not just queer people but trans people – in many parts of the world being a lesbian or gay is seen as okay, but being trans isn’t.’

While celebrating the novel use of a transgender model in a swimwear campaign, Todorovič said seeing the outline of a penis beneath swimmers was hardly new. 

‘I’m wearing bikini bottoms which are basically Speedos, which, last time I checked, people with penises wear Speedos.

‘So maybe you just need to investigate and dig a little deeper as to why me, in a Speedo essentially, feels like an attack on your gender identity, because that’s not what I’m trying to do.’ 

Seafolly also issued a statement on Friday, insisting that they are ‘supportive of all women’ and that Joanna Halpin (pictured) is their official ambassador, not non-binary activist Deni