EPISODE · Mar 19, 2026 · 1H 11M
Gia Carangi
from The C-Word · host Lena Dunham & Alissa Bennett
Gia Carangi, considered by many to be the world’s first supermodel, was once so renowned she was known simply as GIA. Her stunning rise from a troubled Philadelphia childhood to the top of the New York fashion scene preceded an equally dramatic downfall, marked by heroin addiction and wild on-set behavior. She died in 1986 of AIDS-related complications. In this episode, Lena and Alissa follow the ups and downs of Gia’s life, with a particular focus on how her sexuality and gender presentation shaped her career and enduring legacy. This episode was first published on 01/28/2021.
What this episode covers
Gia Carangi, considered by many to be the world’s first supermodel, was once so renowned she was known simply as GIA. Her stunning rise from a troubled Philadelphia childhood to the top of the New York fashion scene preceded an equally dramatic downfall, marked by heroin addiction and wild on-set behavior. She died in 1986 of AIDS-related complications. In this episode, Lena and Alissa follow the ups and downs of Gia’s life, with a particular focus on how her sexuality and gender presentation shaped her career and enduring legacy. This episode was first published on 01/28/2021.
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Gia Carangi
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