Miss Andreja Pejic

[Gin&tonik]

Model Andreja Pejic comes out publicly as a transgender woman, shares her experience with media and Facebook fans

By Dani Heffernan, Media Strategist at GLAAD |

July 24, 2014

Fashion model Andreja Pejic tonight shared her life and experience as a transgender woman exclusively with Entertainment Tonight, People.com and Style.com. The acclaimed model who has appeared on covers of Elle and French Vogue, announced that she will only be modeling women’s fashion going forward and that her agency supports her transition. She also told the press that she is supported by her family in Australia and friends around the world.

Andreja drafted a message for her Facebook fans and Instagram followers. She will now be tweeting from @andrejapejic.

GLAAD worked with Pejic and her team this week as she prepared to tell her story.

She told GLAAD:
"To all trans youth out there, I would like to say respect yourself and be proud of who you are. All human beings deserve equal treatment no matter their gender identity or sexuality. To be perceived as what you say you are is a basic human right."

She also posted a selfie on Facebook with a message to her fans:
"As a transgender woman I hope to show that after transition (a life-saving process) one can be happy and successful in their new chapter.”

Pejic has received international attention modeling men’s and women’s collections on runways and in ad campaigns. She began modeling in 2007, and since then has been named to the Out 100 and received a NewNowNext award for style. She has been on the covers of Elle, New York, and many more, and walked the biggest international runways. In 2013, she co-starred in David Bowie’s music video, “The Stars are Out Tonight,” alongside Tilda Swinton.

Pejic is one among many trans models finding growing acceptance as visibility of trans people in the media increases. In 2008, Isis King made headlines as the first trans woman model to compete on America’s Next Top Model. In 2010, model Lea T came out to the world as transgender in French Vogue. In January of this year, a Barney’s New York ad campaign featured all trans and gender non-conforming models. Earlier this year, supermodel Naomi Campbell spoke out at the GLAAD Media Awards in support of Carmen Carrera and other trans models.

As blogger and advocate Monica Roberts has pointed out, the way was paved by trans models like Caroline Cossey, Tracy Africa Norman, and Roberta Close in previous decades, and now models like Ines Rau, Arisce Wanzer, Valentijn De Hingh, Geena Rocero, and many more are a growing presence in the fashion world.

Show your support for Andreja by commenting on her Facebook, Instagram or tweeting @andrejapejic

Andreja’s “Entertainment Tonight” interview on YouTube, for those of you who can’t watch it on ET’s site.

EXCLUSIVE: Andreja Pejic Is in Her Own Skin for the Very First Time

You won’t be seeing any more of Andrej Pejic, the androgynous male model who rose to fame in 2010 after Carine Roitfeld had him photographed in womenswear for Paris Vogue. An onslaught of editorials followed (including a shirtless Dossier Journalcover that was essentially banned by Barnes & Noble for fear their customers would think he was a naked woman), and he even walked as the beautiful bride in Jean Paul Gaultier’s Spring ’11 Couture show (below). But Andrej’s days on the runway are over. However, Andreja’s career is just getting started.

Earlier this year, Andreja underwent sexual reassignment surgery (SRS). She always knew she was a woman, but her body, or at least parts of it, didn’t match up. Yesterday, the model trekked from her current Williamsburg digs to LGBT advocacy group GLAAD’s Chelsea headquarters to speak, for the first time, about her transition. Donning a white crop top and embellished Ports 1961 skirt, Pejic, who was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina but was raised in Melbourne (hence her charming Aussie accent), looked as angelic as ever. “I feel good,” she told me before sitting down. It showed.

You can bet you’ll be seeing quite a bit of Andreja Pejic—she has a role in Sofia Coppola’s forthcoming rendition of The Little Mermaid, and plans for fashion week are already in the works. Here, the six-foot-one stunner (who, it should be noted, has cheekbones that could cut glass) opens up to Style.com about her SRS, the challenges of being a transgender model, and why, at long last, she’s “ready to face the world.”

— Katharine K. Zarrella

How do you identify?

I identify as a female.

How did you identify before the sexual reassignment surgery?

I figured out who I was very early on—actually, at the age of 13, with the help of the Internet—so I knew that a transition, becoming a woman, was always something I needed to do. But it wasn’t possible at the time, and I put it off, and androgyny became a way of expressing my femininity without having to explain myself to people too much. Especially to my peers [who] couldn’t understand things like “trans” and gender identity. And then obviously the modeling thing came up, and I became this androgynous male model, and that was a big part of my growing up and my self-discovery. But I always kept in mind that, ultimately, my biggest dream was to be a girl. I wasn’t ready to talk about it before in a public way because I was scared that I would not be understood. I didn’t know if people would like me. But now I’m taking that step because I’m a little older—I’m 22—and I think my story can help people. My goal is to give a human face to this struggle, and I feel like I have a responsibility.

You seem to have had a firm understanding of your identity at an early age. Was growing up as a boy difficult?

Gender dysphoria is never an easy thing to live with, mainly because people don’t understand it. For most of my childhood, I knew that I preferred all things feminine, but I didn’t know why. I didn’t know that there was an explanation. I didn’t know about the possibilities. And then I went on sort of a boyhood campaign from age 9 to about 13. I tried to be a “normal” boy because I felt like my options were either to be a gay boy or a straight boy. I didn’t feel that I was gay, so I didn’t know that there were any other options until the age of 13, when I went online and discovered that there’s a whole community of trans people out there. There are doctors, there’s medical care, there’s research, and that was an eye-opener for me. From that day on, I knew what I had to do.

Some people write off SRS as a purely cosmetic surgery. Can you speak a little bit about that, and why it’s not the case?
Yeah, a lot of people view it as a plastic procedure, like you go to a surgeon and say, “Oh, I want to be a woman.” It’s so much more complicated than that. You have to get a psychiatric evaluation, which I started at the age of 13. I started seeing psychiatrists, and then I stopped when I started modeling, and I started again about a year and a half ago. But medical attention is crucial for any trans person because it helps you figure out who you are. You go through some really strict testing before you’re even allowed to have the surgery.

Are there any other myths you’d like to debunk? Or is there anything else you want the general public to understand about SRS and transgender people?
I would like them to understand that we are people. We’re human beings, and this is a human life. This is reality for us, and all we ask for is acceptance and validation for what we say that we are. It’s a basic human right.

You’ve legally changed your name from Andrej to Andreja. Why was that important to you?

I added an “a” because it’s not a full transformation —it’s just an evolution. I thought about whether I should change it or not for a while. In the West, Andrej isn’t really a masculine name. But I think [the name change] is something that my mom really wanted because, traditionally, Andrej is a Christian Orthodox name, and in that religion, it’s definitely a male name. So I kept the “j” and added an “a,” which actually becomes a name that I don’t think exists. But I wanted to keep the “j” because that’s me. That’s my name.

How did your modeling agents react when you told them you were having SRS?

It’s been an interesting experience. I had the surgery early this year, and I told my men’s agent at DNA about two weeks before the operation. I just said, “This is what’s happening,” because I didn’t want anything to stop me. I had decided. And then recently, I had a meeting with the women’s [team], and they’ve been very positive about moving from the men’s board to the women’s board, which is amazing. It’s something I guess no one’s ever done.

Weren’t you on both the men’s and women’s boards before the surgery?
Actually, all over the world I was, but not in New York. I guess the American market isn’t as progressive.

How do you feel your transition from an androgynous male model to a female model will impact your career?
I hope everything goes well. [SRS] was a personal decision. I took this step, and I said to myself, My career is just going to have to fall into place around it. So I hope that I can continue my success. I think I’ve shown that I have skills as a model, and those skills don’t just go away. I’ve had experience. I’ve been around the block.

Androgyny and the transgender community seem to be at the center of the cultural and, more specifically, the fashion conversation at the moment. Hood by Air by Shayne Oliver, who enlisted voguers to model at the Fall ’14 show, is a prime example. Where do you think this focus on the transgender community is coming from? And how do you feel about it?
The trend of androgyny and the exploration of trans beauty started around 2010, and that’s when Lea T and I both started [modeling]. Everyone was kind of saying, “Oh, it’s just a trend, it’s going to go away,” and it hasn’t. I think that’s because it represents a social layer of people who feel that they don’t want to conform to traditional forms of gender—who feel traditional forms of gender are outdated. That social base feeds the trend, and it feeds the exploration in fashion.

Do you feel the fashion industry has been welcoming and supportive throughout your career?

I got my success very quickly, and the media attention has been pretty positive. People like Jean Paul Gaultier, Carine Roitfeld, and Juergen Teller have been extremely supportive. But my biggest challenge was to not always be pigeonholed, and also to make [androgyny] commercially successful, because when I started, it was such a new thing. Still, there are a lot of roadblocks, particularly when working with cosmetic brands or perfumes or those sort of commercial, corporate things. It’s been more difficult to break into that world than “fashion” because it hasn’t been done before. They don’t have any market research, and people in that world aren’t risk takers. You have to prove to them over and over that you are liked by people, you have a skill, and you can sell a product.

Is landing a beauty campaign something you aspire to do?

It’s a goal for any model! It would be cray cray. But we’ll see. I’m happy to keep doing what I love, and for me it’s like I’m already living the dream.

Have you had any experiences in castings, etc., that have been particularly frustrating?
Oh, yeah, especially in the beginning, when I first moved to London. It was like, I’d walk into the boys’ casting, and they were like, “No…you don’t belong here.” And then at the girls’ casting, they were like, “Why are they sending us boys?” So it took time for everyone to get on board. It wasn’t all sweet sailing.

What do you think the fashion industry can do to further embrace the transgender community?
It would be lovely to live in a world where trans-female models were treated as female models, and trans-male models were treated the same as male models, rather than being a niche commodity. I think that that is the biggest struggle in all this. It’s almost like African-American models back in the nineties. It was like, “Oh, you can do this, but you can also do that. You can do runway, but no print.” So I think that’s what needs to change.

When I first met you last year, you already seemed like a pretty confident individual. Do you feel more comfortable—or more you— since having the SRS?

I think from my teenage years, when I decided I needed to express my femininity, I was happy with the way I looked. But SRS is kind of the last part—it’s sort of the icing on the cake. It makes me feel freer than ever. Now I can stand naked in front of a mirror and really enjoy my reflection. And those personal moments are important.

But you’ve always been gorgeous. Did you not enjoy your reflection before?

Not fully naked.

I know you’re close with your mom. Has she been supportive throughout this transition?
I came out to my mom at the age of 14. She didn’t understand it at first, but she’s been very supportive since.

Has going through this transition as a public figure been very difficult?
There’s a difference between coming out to your family and close friends, and coming out to the whole world and opening yourself up to judgment. When I was younger, I just wasn’t ready for that. Even now, it’s hard to navigate. I try to concentrate on myself and what I really need, but there are so many other factors that go into it. You have to figure out timing, you have to figure out agencies. Public perception influences that. It’s a lot of pressure, and modeling is a lot of pressure anyway. I think most models have to live up to something, and they struggle with that. So to have that on top of this, there have definitely been difficult moments.

If I may ask, how do you think the SRS will impact your personal and romantic life? Is that something you’re excited about exploring?
Yeah, I’m very happy with this new situation, and I’m happy to keep exploring.

Are you dating anyone?
No, I’m single. I’m open to love, so I’m taking some time off for myself now. I think that’s necessary. We’ll see. But you know, I feel more comfortable than ever, more confident than ever, and I’m ready to face the world.

From Style.com

Andreja Pejic on Coming Out as Transgender, and Why This Was Her Moment — EXCLUSIVE

By Kat Haché

Last week, the model Andreja Pejic, famous for her androgynous looks and for modeling both men’s wear and women’s fashion, came out publicly as a trans woman, officially becoming yet another prominent role model for transgender individuals to look up to. I was fortunate enough to get to speak with her, and as a trans woman myself, I wanted to ask her some of the questions that I felt hadn’t been asked in the media frenzy following her announcement. Andreja told Bustle over e-mail what transitioning has meant for her, and her hopes going forward as an out trans woman and an advocate for trans issues.

KAT: I read what you said in Style about knowing you wanted to transition but being afraid to do it right away, and instead presenting androgynously. Could you say a little more about that?

ANDREJA PEJIC: I think androgyny is a common part of the transgender experience. It allows you to express your femininity or masculinity without having to explain gender identity to people. Society is just not very educated about “transsexualism” which makes it harder for trans people to come out.

It’s exactly that — a compromise, but usually a temporary one. It makes sense for someone who is going from one physical sex into another to stop and linger in the middle for a while. Androgyny will always be a part of me, of my style, and my expression.


You also talked about trying to suck it up and be a boy. It was similar to experiences I had. Could you explain what that was like?

I went through this right after childhood had ended. It suddenly was no longer cute to play with toys and I couldn’t get away with putting on skirts. Society was telling me it’s time to grow up and be a “boy.” The period lasted for five years. It felt like a 24 hour, seven-day-a-week performance. My imagination got me through it, though.

I was wondering if you had any thoughts about the People magazine’s headline: “Andrej Pejic Now Andreja After Sex Reassignment Surgery”? Some people have taken issue with it, implying that the surgery was the point you became Andreja.

I don’t think it’s my surgery that turned me into Andreja. I was already perceived as a girl by those close to me before the surgery, and I had identified as a girl from a very young age. However, I announced my SRS [sexual reassignment surgery] at the same time that I came out to the world as female, and the press, for the sake of drama, interlinks the two.

I actually feel like my “coming out” to the world is in fact part of my transition into womanhood and a point of validation as big as any physical change. Gender also has a social component. It’s not enough to simply change your body — every trans person wants to be accepted by society in a role that matches their gender identity. I also am very aware that many transgender individuals chose not to undergo SRS, it was necessary step for me but that’s all it is a step in a long process.

Why did you feel like this was the moment to come out?

It was an organic process. At the beginning of last year, I decided I can’t keep putting transition off for any longer and I went for it in secret. Frankly, I didn’t want anything to stop me. It’s a very personal process for which one needs tremendous strength, and I didn’t desire to have anyone else’s opinion but that of my therapist. Once the most challenging part of the transition was over, I was recovered — and I told the world.

Have you had any trans role models that have influenced you or that you have found particularly inspirational?

I read Caroline Cossey’s books when I was growing up, and her story definitely gave me courage. Lynn Conway [a trans activist] and her website contributed a lot to my understanding of myself. Then there were beauties like Candy Darling and April Ashley who I admired. Today, individuals like Laverne Cox and Janet Mock are doing great work at spreading awareness about trans women of color.

What has been the most encouraging thing about this journey for you? The most difficult?

The most challenging thing was to stop being ashamed of who I am and of what mother nature gave me — to gain pride. That pride is now the most encouraging thing for me.

Have you received any negative backlash from friends or fans?

The response has been incredible and definitely exceeded my expectations. I am beyond happy.

How do you feel about the general state of affairs for trans people? What issues would you like to see people focusing on to make life better for girls like us?

It is no longer a secret that the transgender community is one of the most disadvantaged social minorities in this country and [many others]. I think access to employment (unemployment stands at twice the national average) and healthcare (the attempted suicide rate stands at 40 percent) are of primary importance. Education about transgenderism in schools and institutions is vital. Laws need to be put in place to protect individuals from discrimination. As Janet and Laverne have pointed out many times, the murder and abuse of trans women of color in this country must stop!


I always saw you as boundary-breaking just by being unashamed and being you, but now, after coming out, are there any more explicit activism goals you have?

I would love to do more speaking. I also have a few projects in the works, but I can’t discuss them right now. I think my career was very much about breaking boundaries and I honestly believe that I can keep doing that. There are still plenty of boundaries that need to be broken!

From Bustle.com

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Comments

[helencapricorne]

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[Gin&tonik]

это точно)) сейчас ей куча внимания уделяется)) а идет-то как: груТь вперед))