Verenna Marques , a black, trans woman from the Northeast, has transformed her story of overcoming obstacles into inspiration for hundreds of young models who dream of walking the catwalk. Founder of VM Scouting , a national and international reference in the discovery and development of talent, Verenna left Salvador for São Paulo at the age of 16 and today challenges aesthetic and social standards with a management that combines technique, affection and transformation.
Your journey began in Salvador and took you, at the age of 16, to São Paulo, with a heart full of ambition and courage. What was this moment of rupture in your life like and what kept you going when everything around you seemed uncertain?
When I came to São Paulo at the age of 16, I had nothing but courage and an immense desire to be someone in life. I had left behind a difficult childhood, with abandonment, running away… And yet, deep inside me, there was one certainty: I could not give up. What kept me going was my faith and this hunger to do things differently. Even alone, without structure, I knew I could not stop. São Paulo was huge, yes, but my desire to succeed was greater.
VM Scouting was born during the pandemic, at a time of uncertainty for the entire world — but for you, it was a leap of faith that paid off. Do you remember the exact moment you realized that what was once an Instagram profile could become a transformative business?
I remember it like it was yesterday. I had been doing scouting for a while, spontaneously, because I believed in people. But during the pandemic, with everything at a standstill, I looked at Instagram and thought: “Why not show what I can do here?” When I started receiving messages, responses from agencies, real opportunities for the girls, I understood: this is bigger than me. It wasn’t just a profile, it was a channel to transform lives — including mine.
Your approach to models goes beyond aesthetics: there is technique, empathy and a very strong emotional commitment. How do you deal with the responsibility of being “the family” of these people in a city as intense as São Paulo?
This responsibility is not light, but it is what gives meaning to my work. When someone comes here, coming from the countryside, from the outskirts, with their eyes shining and their heart heavy, I remember myself. So, I make a point of being that support, that foundation. Being their family means caring, it means being present, it means teaching them more than just a catwalk — it means teaching them to walk with self-esteem. Because no one shines if they have no ground to stand on.
You proudly say that “Vivaldo left the path already paved and Verenna arrived to take over”. What was it like to experience your transition in a world that is still as conservative as fashion, and what changed in your work and your worldview after that?
It was a rebirth. My transition came after I turned 24, when my career had already borne fruit. I knew it would be challenging, that many people might turn their backs on me. But I needed to see myself for real. When Verenna arrived, everything became clearer: my self-esteem came, my strength multiplied. And at the same time, I understood how few of us still have this opportunity. Fashion is full of beauty, but it needs more truth. And my existence is an affirmation of that every day.
Beauty with axé — presence, truth and energy — is how you define what really matters in the fashion world. In practice, what do you look for in a person when you see them for the first time and think: “this person has something”?
Axé is something that cannot be explained, but can be felt. When I look at someone and think “there’s something there”, it’s because that person arrived with truth, with presence. We teach technique, but that shine, that energy that catches your eye, that’s rare. I don’t just look for what pleases the standards. I look for what pulses, what moves. Beauty without truth means nothing to me. But when there’s axé… ah, then there’s a future.
You created not only a company, but a support network, a new way of scouting with affection and strategy. What was the most memorable moment when you felt you changed someone’s life — and perhaps yours too?
There was a girl who came from a town so small that there wasn’t even a cell phone signal. When I saw her video, I knew I had to find her. When she arrived in São Paulo and stepped foot in an international agency for the first time, she cried. And I cried with her. That was when I understood: it wasn’t just about fashion, it was about giving voice, giving time, giving space. That moment changed everything for me. Because we change others when we believe — and, in that, we transform ourselves too.
In a country where so many trans women still face exclusion, you have become a respected name and a symbol of achievement. How do you see your role in the fight for more representation and real opportunities on and off the catwalk?
I know that, being who I am, my existence is already a political act. Being a trans, black, northeastern woman and occupying this space is like opening a door with your foot, it’s like bursting a bubble. But it’s no use just being there — you have to pull others in too. That’s my role: to show that it’s possible and ensure that others have access. The catwalk has to reflect the real world. And until it does, I’ll keep making noise.
Your new dream involves traveling the world with a team that you’ve built, paving the way for those who haven’t had a chance yet. What do you think fashion — and the world — needs to understand about inclusion, and how can your vision accelerate this change?
There is a lack of true listening. Fashion needs to stop including only when it is convenient or attractive in the campaign. True inclusion means access, continuity, and support. It is not enough to cast a diverse body — you have to take care of it before, during, and after. My vision comes from the place of someone who has experienced it firsthand. I want to put together a team that travels, that seeks out hidden stories in the corners of Brazil and the world. Because there is no shortage of talent. What is missing is someone who looks with heart, strategy, and passion.
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