Celebrity model Andrej Pejic has successfully undergone gender transformation and as a result wants to be known as Andreja. Pejic in times past has walked the runway as a man and woman but moving forward will only be modeling women’s clothing. The model who has been featured on the cover of major publications such as French Vogue and Elle said she has always dreamed of being a girl.
The 22-year-old was born in Serbia and said as a little girl she remembers putting on her mother’s skirt and spinning around trying to look like a ballerina. Pejic said that she knew as early as 13-years-old that she was different and that a “transition” was something she would one day embrace. She went to the library and googled “sex change” and instantly her life changed. The results of her search yielded a flood of relief because the internet gave her the sense that what she was feeling was not as strange as she assumed and there were actually words and medical terminology to describe her feelings.
As a youngster she began taking puberty-blockers and by the age of 17-years-old was scouted by a modeling agency. Pejic was excited to show off her androgynous appeal for both women and menswear and has since modeled for brands such as DKNY, Marc Jacobs and Jean Paul Gaultier.
Pejic has gone on to make history in numerous campaigns and on the catwalk. She was the first male model to become the “face” of a womenswear underwear campaign, namely Jean Paul Gaultier’s couture bride. In 2013 this model starred in David Bowie’s music video single The Stars Are Out Tonight and has been slated to star in Sofia Coppola’s forthcoming adaptation of The Little Mermaid.
The young model said she began to re-evaluate things about a year and a half ago. Although she was proud of her gender non-conforming career she still had not fulfilled her biggest dream of being comfortable in her own body. When the moment for transformation surgery finally arrived she was as happy as she could be. Pejic said it took about three months before she felt like herself again.
Every day is like a new revelation, I’m more comfortable than ever. I feel at a 100 percent.
Pejic has now added an “a” at the end of her first name stating this is not a full transition, it is just an evolution. The surgery, which she has spoken about often in the past, took place earlier this year in America. Pejic released the following statement pertaining to her current evolution:
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.
The model has also written a message of gratitude to her many Facebook fans:
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the love and support throughout the years. You’ve all helped me through this journey and I have learned a lot and really come into my own and the response to today’s announcement truly overwhelmed me and reminds me of why I chose to do this publicly #betruebeyou.
Pejic said she has always identified as a female, so ultimately her biggest dream was to become a girl. Sexual reassignment surgery, said the model, is like the icing on the cake; it is the last part. She now feels more free than ever and can stand in front of the mirror nude and truly enjoy her reflection. These are the personal moments which are so important. The once androgynous model said,
Although the sex reassignment was clearly important to her, she does not want to be defined by it. What is in between a person’s legs is not who they are.
Pejic, who spoke very frankly about her decision, said she wanted to come out and be honest with the public. Celebrity model Andrej Pejic has successfully undergone gender transformation and will now be known as Andreja.
By: Cherese Jackson (Virginia)
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