The Heroines of My Life: Interview with Jasmina von Leeds

Jasmina von Leeds is a German beauty stylist, YouTuber, singer, and actress, born and raised in Hannover, Germany. She is best known for her appearances in popular German TV series and shows such as Köln 50667, Barbara Salesch, Niedrig und Kuhnt, and Berlin Tag und Nacht. While she has made a name for herself in acting, Jasmina currently focuses on her passion for singing, dedicating herself to refining her vocal skills and performing electro music covers in clubs. She also runs a successful YouTube channel, Jasmina von Leeds, where she shares beauty tips, life insights, and personal experiences with her audience. Jasmina's journey as a transgender woman began at a young age, and she transitioned at 17 with the full support of her loving family. She reflects on her childhood as a time of growing realization that she was different, and she faced significant challenges, especially during high school, where she struggled with feelings of isolation and self-doubt.

However, her faith and the support of her family and community have helped her overcome these difficulties, and she credits her spiritual beliefs with providing the strength to forgive those who had treated her poorly in the past. A passionate advocate for transgender women, Jasmina has openly shared her transition and personal story, recognizing the unique struggles faced by transgender individuals. She admires and respects those who face difficulties in passing as women, acknowledging her own privilege in having transitioned at a young age with access to good medical care. She is also open about her struggles with the criticisms she sometimes receives from both the cisgender and transgender communities but remains committed to living authentically and being true to herself.

In addition to her entertainment career, Jasmina works for a major German fashion brand and enjoys a personal style that ranges from vintage pin-up looks to more daring and sexy outfits, depending on her mood. Though she is not deeply involved in politics, she remains socially conscious and votes in elections. While not interested in participating in beauty pageants, she believes that every person is beautiful in their own way, regardless of their appearance. Jasmina's life is a testament to resilience, self-acceptance, and the power of love and faith. Despite the challenges she has faced, she describes herself as a happy woman, embracing both the highs and lows of life with grace and confidence.

At a charity event in 2012.

Monika: Hello Jasmina!
Jasmina: Hello Monika! Thanks for having me I feel very honored.

Monika: If you had to choose between acting or singing, which would you say excites you more right now?
Jasmina: It depends, but I would say at the moment, singing. I'm working really hard on my voice right now, getting a lot of singing lessons because this is what I want to do: singing in clubs. I really enjoy doing that, and my other "baby" at the moment is my YouTube channel, Jasmina von Leeds. I love making videos about my life, giving beauty tips, and talking about various topics. This and my singing career are my biggest projects right now. I find that both singing and making videos allow me to connect with my audience in such personal and fulfilling ways.

Monika: Could you tell me more about your acting career so far and what roles have been most memorable to you?
Jasmina: I played some roles in German soap operas and did reality stuff on TV. It was OK, but I would love to play in a real movie. Maybe a dramatic part as a trans woman. What I did so far wasn't difficult or really creative in my opinion. I'm eager to take on more challenging roles that truly allow me to showcase my range and push my acting abilities to new heights.

Monika: Are there any actresses who have particularly inspired you in both acting and singing?

Jasmina: There are a lot of them. I was always inspired by actresses that did both singing and acting, such as Cher, Kylie Minogue, or Jennifer Lopez; and, of course, my biggest idol is Marilyn Monroe. The old movie stars of that time always did both singing and acting. But the best actress of all time, in my opinion, is Romy Schneider! She was so stunning in her movies. Sometimes it is scary how profoundly she acts, especially in her French movies from the '70s. They are breathtaking! I admire how Romy Schneider could convey such deep emotions with a simple look or gesture, a skill that I aspire to develop in my own acting.

Monika: What kind of music do you enjoy singing, and do you plan to create your own songs in the future?

Jasmina: At the moment, I sing cover songs from an electro music DJ. They are about love, party, and fun. I love this kind of music, and I hope to make my own songs someday with a DJ or music producer. I'm also exploring different genres, and I can't wait to see where my musical journey takes me.

Monika: You are a beautiful woman. Do you feel that your appearance gives you an advantage in everyday situations, or does it sometimes come with challenges?

asmina: Oh, thank you! Well, of course, it has helped me a lot, especially during all my daily routines as a woman, but sometimes I think that people only accept me because I look female, and that makes me sad because I wonder how it would be if I did not look like this. In my opinion, we should all love and respect each other, no matter how we look. At the same time, I try to use my visibility to spread positivity and challenge beauty standards.

Monika: Where did you grow up, and how did your hometown influence you?

Jasmina: I grew up in Germany, in a town called Hanover, which is the capital city of the federal state named Lower Saxony. It's a beautiful city with a rich cultural scene, which definitely shaped my artistic interests.

Monika: Could you describe your childhood? When was the first moment you realized that you identified more with being a girl rather than a boy?

Jasmina: I always felt that something was wrong. Not in my earliest childhood memories because at that time, I didn't know that there were boys or girls. I felt free and loved, but when I started going to kindergarten, I realized that I was different because I acted like a girl, but they called me a boy. It was confusing and painful, as I couldn't understand why I wasn't allowed to just be myself. At that time, the big sadness (which I call it today) started to come over me.

At interview about her 2012 holidays in Ibiza
for the German TV.

Monika: For many transgender girls, school, college, or university can be the most traumatic time due to discrimination and isolation. Did you experience similar challenges during your education?
Jasmina: Yes, absolutely! It was horrible, especially my high school years. I was a boy, but I looked more like a girl and did not have a lot of friends. I was an outsider, and people treated me like that. I also did not like myself, my body, everything. It was such a difficult time.

I don't know how I survived it, but I forgive all the people who gave me a hard time because I don't know what happened in their lives at that time. I think we all have been hurt sometimes, but last year, I found the biggest gift in this world: God (Jesus). He came to me and healed that painful time and gave me the power to forgive all those people because God forgave me for all the mistakes I made in my life — that realization helped me a lot. Now, I try to use my past struggles to inspire and uplift others who might be going through the same pain.
Monika: At what age did you begin your transition? Was the process challenging for you, and did you receive support from your family and friends?
Jasmina: I started taking hormones when I was 17. I must say I was lucky with everything. I grew up with a very loving family that always supported me. My transition was an easy process. At times, it felt difficult, but now I can see how much luck I had. So I must thank God for this. Looking back, I realize how rare and precious such support is, and I try to be there for others who might not have had the same experience.

Monika: Many transgender women face the harsh reality of being judged on whether they "pass" as a woman or not. You are a beautiful woman yourself, but what advice would you give to those who struggle with passing in their daily lives?

Jasmina: I admire all these women. They are so strong! They have my full respect. I had it easy because I always looked not so masculine. I started my transition young; I lived at the right time, had good surgeons, as well as the chance and money to undergo many surgeries. I made my story public because I always dreamed of being a star.

On a normal German cold day.

When I was young, I found stories of trans women very inspiring, and I also wanted to share mine. So people know that I'm transsexual, and there are still situations where people look at me and talk about me, so I can understand their feelings. But I think I want to say that even if there is nobody who loves and accepts you, there is someone who will always love and care about you, and that is God. We are all His children, no matter what sex we are or want to be! And no matter how hard things seem, you are worthy of love and happiness, just as you are.

Monika: With advancements in modern cosmetic surgery, transitioning is now possible even for those in their 50s or 60s. Do you believe age is truly no barrier to transition? What advice would you give to transgender women considering it later in life?

Jasmina: Just do it! It is your life! Do everything that makes you happy. It's never too late! Every person deserves to live as their true self, no matter when they start their journey.

Monika: During your transition, did you have any transgender role models to look up to? How much did you know about transgender identity at the time?

Jasmina: When I was young I told my mum about my feelings. She said to me that there is a surgery which can make a man into a woman. That was the first time I heard something like this and I wanted to do that.

Jasmina: When I was young, I told my mum about my feelings. She said to me that there is a surgery that can make a man into a woman. That was the first time I heard something like this, and I wanted to do that. Then, in 1998, I saw the first transsexual ever. It was Dana International. It was fascinating. She was so beautiful and looked like a normal woman. When I saw her, I knew that I could be the same one day. Seeing her success gave me hope and the courage to follow my dreams.

Monika: What was the most challenging part of coming out for you? How did the people around you react?

Jasmina: Well, my coming out was not so difficult because my parents knew about my feelings, and I did not have friends at that time. Still, it was a lonely experience, as I had no close support outside of my family.

Monika: How has love shaped your life, and what role does it play in your happiness today?

Jasmina: Love is the biggest gift we have. Like I said before, last year I found God, or He came to me and showed me His endless love. I'm so thankful for what Jesus did for me. He died for me so I could live. That's real love, and through Him, I can have this wonderful relationship with God. Don't take me wrong. This is not about religion or going to church. It's about the love that the Creator of this world has for everyone, and now I can really understand how important love is. It gives me strength and purpose every day. I'm thankful for my wonderful life, family, boyfriend, and friends, which I have.

Monika: What aspects of being a woman bring you the most joy and fulfillment?

Jasmina: Everything! I'm a full-time woman in my heart. It has become a strange question for me because I have been living so long as a woman. It feels natural, like it’s always been this way.

Singing at a party with 6 dancers, December 2012.

Monika: How do you view the current situation of transgender women in Germany, and what has been your personal experience in navigating it?

Jasmina: First I must say I'm lucky to have been born in a country like Germany. The health insurance here helps transsexuals a lot. It paid for my hormones, my therapy, my sex change, and also some cosmetic surgeries like breast augmentation; and they accept us as normal women. We can get married and our passports confirm that we are women. But of course, I also get criticized by people that don't understand why I did that.

But what makes me really sad is that I also do get some criticism from other transsexual people that think I don't act like a real woman; that I go to gay clubs, have gay friends, and love to be part of the gay community. But I must say I see myself more like a gay artist. Of course, I'm different but they understand my situation and they are always nice to me.

For many years I have been trying to be accepted by straight people but I realized I don't need their acceptance. I am what I am and I like myself. And I don't care if people see me as a man or woman or whatever. First of all, I'm a human being and we should all love and respect each other no matter how we live. Acceptance starts with self-love, and that’s what truly matters to me.

Monika: In the USA, we're seeing more and more transgender women coming out and gaining recognition, with some even achieving celebrity status, like Lana Wachowski in film directing, Jenna Talackova in modeling, Kate Bornstein in academia, Laura Jane Grace in music, and Candis Cayne in acting. Do you see a similar trend in Germany, or is it different there?

Jasmina: At the moment, not as much. I'm working to become even more famous and work more on television, but it's difficult because most people just see the fact that I'm a transsexual. I think it's harder for us. However, I believe the situation is slowly improving as more trans voices are being heard, and I am hopeful that this will change in the future.

Shot from her YouTube Channel.

Monika: Are you involved in politics in any way? Do you participate in lobbying campaigns or activism? Do you think transgender women have the power to make a difference in politics?

Jasmina: Well, not so much. I'm interested in what happens in my country and in the world, and of course, I always vote in elections. While I'm not deeply involved, I do believe that transgender women can make a significant impact in politics, especially when they share their stories and fight for equality.

Monika: What are your thoughts on transgender beauty pageants? Have you ever considered participating in one?

Jasmina: Well, no. This is not my thing. I think we are all beautiful. We don't need stuff like this. :) I believe true beauty comes from within, and it’s important for all of us to feel confident in ourselves without needing external validation.

Monika: Are you passionate about fashion? What kind of outfits do you usually wear? Do you have any favorite styles, colors, or trends that you follow?

Jasmina: Well, during the week I work for a big German fashion brand which also has a lot of shops in Europe and around the world, so I have to deal with fashion. I like fashion, but I don't care so much about it or trends. I just wear what I like; sometimes vintage, like the Dita von Teese pin-up style, or a romantic style; then crazy or sexy. It depends on my mood and what I'm interested in at that particular time. I think fashion is about expressing yourself, not just following the crowd.

Monika: Are you actively involved in your local LGBT community? What kind of activities do you participate in, and do you wish to be more involved?

Jasmina: A little, but I wish I were more involved. At the moment, I'm more into the gay community, but there are also many transsexuals. I think being part of any community can be empowering, and I'd love to contribute more to the transgender community in the future.

Monika: Would you say that you are a happy woman now?

Jasmina: Yes, but I also have to deal with the adventures of life like everybody else. Despite the challenges, I focus on the positive aspects of life, and that helps me stay happy.

Monika: Jasmina, thank you for the interview!

All the photos: courtesy of Jasmina von Leeds.