Kamilla A is a 22-year-old American video blogger, singer, and aspiring actress whose voice resonates far beyond YouTube. Raised in a small town in the Florida panhandle, Kamilla documents her transition with striking honesty, courage, and warmth, transforming her channel into a space of family, support, and empowerment for countless viewers. Classically trained as an opera singer while also embracing Pop and R&B, she is preparing to move to Los Angeles to pursue her artistic dreams, guided by faith, determination, and an unshakable belief in the power of authenticity. Kamilla’s story is one of resilience shaped by rejection, discrimination, and isolation, but also by love, spirituality, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting others.
Through her candid discussions about transition, beauty, fashion, faith, and self-worth, she challenges stereotypes surrounding transgender women and offers visibility to experiences often misunderstood or ignored. Outspoken yet deeply compassionate, Kamilla lives by the principle of treating others as one wishes to be treated, spreading positivity while reminding her audience that dreams are precious, strength is learned through struggle, and love remains the most powerful force of all. Above all, she sees her visibility not as a pursuit of fame, but as a responsibility to inspire, to educate, and to remind others that they are never alone. Her journey is a testament to the courage it takes to live shamelessly and to turn personal truth into a source of hope for others.
Monika: Today, I am very happy to welcome Kamilla A, a young American video blogger who documents her transition on YouTube, as well as an aspiring opera and pop singer and actress. Hello, Kamilla!
Kamilla: Hello!! How are you doing today, darling?! I hope life has been treating you well, my dear.
Monika: To begin, could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about who you are?
Kamilla: I'm 22 years old, Hispanic, and, you know, a YouTube vlogger! I'm also a pop/R&B and classically trained opera singer. I currently live in a small town in the Florida Panhandle and plan to move to LA soon to pursue my dream of singing and acting. I'm outgoing, fun, energetic, outspoken, kind yet firm, and I believe in “treating others as you would treat yourself.”
Monika: What led you to start sharing such personal details of your transition on YouTube?
Kamilla: I live in a small “redneck” country town filled with closed‑minded, negative people and “Bible thumpers.” I was scared at first, but as I grew as a trans woman, I became more self‑aware and unashamed, and I wanted to spread love and positivity and let others know they are not alone. My parents rejected me, and now my only family is on social media. YouTube is my family, and my friends in real life are my family as well.
Also, I honestly felt like there just weren't any really good, detailed transition videos on YouTube. I talk extensively about everything and anything. I live a shameless life, and that's really the only way to live and love, no regrets and a head held high, knowing that I am helping others like me and empowering ourselves as trans women.
Kamilla: I'm 22 years old, Hispanic, and, you know, a YouTube vlogger! I'm also a pop/R&B and classically trained opera singer. I currently live in a small town in the Florida Panhandle and plan to move to LA soon to pursue my dream of singing and acting. I'm outgoing, fun, energetic, outspoken, kind yet firm, and I believe in “treating others as you would treat yourself.”
Monika: What led you to start sharing such personal details of your transition on YouTube?
Kamilla: I live in a small “redneck” country town filled with closed‑minded, negative people and “Bible thumpers.” I was scared at first, but as I grew as a trans woman, I became more self‑aware and unashamed, and I wanted to spread love and positivity and let others know they are not alone. My parents rejected me, and now my only family is on social media. YouTube is my family, and my friends in real life are my family as well.
Also, I honestly felt like there just weren't any really good, detailed transition videos on YouTube. I talk extensively about everything and anything. I live a shameless life, and that's really the only way to live and love, no regrets and a head held high, knowing that I am helping others like me and empowering ourselves as trans women.
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Screenshot from one of my "T girl talks" series on YouTube. |
Monika: Where are you currently in your transition, and what does this stage look like for you?
Kamilla: I'm currently a pre‑op transsexual woman and trying to save up for surgeries. I haven't had any facial reconstruction, breast implants, or vaginoplasty/SRS/GRS. However, I have gotten everything changed legally to be recognized as female, and it has really helped with getting jobs and building confidence.
In my last job, I got FIRED because I was “not training fast enough”, that was their excuse, but long story short, I found out it was because I was trans and had not yet changed the sex marker on my license. I was let go after only two weeks of working there. I wanted to sue for discrimination, but nobody wanted to work pro bono, and living in the South, I just don't feel anybody really cared. It hurt me deeply, but I grow and learn from my struggles. I'm not bitter, if anything, I'm thankful.
Monika: Looking back on your journey so far, how do you feel about the results of hormone therapy?
Kamilla: Yes. I started young, and if you look at my videos (especially my transition video), you can see the huge difference. Of course, laser hair removal helped because I could grow a 5 o’clock shadow like nobody's business!!!
Haha, the only thing I'm not satisfied with is my tits. Damn, they won't grow much, but my nipples have! Hormones work like this: if your genetic/cis sisters or mother are a B cup, you will be 1–2 cup sizes smaller than them. That rule applies to EVERY trans woman. So hormones have done a great job on everything except the ta‑tas. Luckily, there are implants for that little dilemma!! Haha.
Monika: Are there any transgender women who have inspired you or whom you consider personal role models?
Kamilla: Oh yes, of course. My favorite and most standout role model is Laverne Cox. She is so beautiful and well‑spoken!! I watch her interviews and I am always speechless at how eloquent and classy she is. Laverne deserves all the success coming her way, and I wish her nothing but love and support. I dream of one day meeting her!
Monika: When you look back at your coming out, what was the most difficult part of that experience for you?
Kamilla: My parents. I'm adopted, and I feel my parents have always known I was “different.” They tried to give me the most “normal” upbringing possible, forcing me to do sports and things I was never really comfortable with. Once puberty hit, everything went downhill, including my “relationship” with my parents. I suffered verbal and physical abuse, and my own parents even “bullied” me, which they thought was helping, but it pushed me further and further away from them.
When school sucked, I hated coming home because I knew it would make my day even worse. I even called child services on them once. They thought I wasn't smart enough to look up numbers and dial them myself, so they blamed my friends. I love my parents, but I love them more from far away. When I had nothing, there was someone I could always turn to… God.
Kamilla: Yes. I started young, and if you look at my videos (especially my transition video), you can see the huge difference. Of course, laser hair removal helped because I could grow a 5 o’clock shadow like nobody's business!!!
Haha, the only thing I'm not satisfied with is my tits. Damn, they won't grow much, but my nipples have! Hormones work like this: if your genetic/cis sisters or mother are a B cup, you will be 1–2 cup sizes smaller than them. That rule applies to EVERY trans woman. So hormones have done a great job on everything except the ta‑tas. Luckily, there are implants for that little dilemma!! Haha.
Monika: Are there any transgender women who have inspired you or whom you consider personal role models?
Kamilla: Oh yes, of course. My favorite and most standout role model is Laverne Cox. She is so beautiful and well‑spoken!! I watch her interviews and I am always speechless at how eloquent and classy she is. Laverne deserves all the success coming her way, and I wish her nothing but love and support. I dream of one day meeting her!
Monika: When you look back at your coming out, what was the most difficult part of that experience for you?
Kamilla: My parents. I'm adopted, and I feel my parents have always known I was “different.” They tried to give me the most “normal” upbringing possible, forcing me to do sports and things I was never really comfortable with. Once puberty hit, everything went downhill, including my “relationship” with my parents. I suffered verbal and physical abuse, and my own parents even “bullied” me, which they thought was helping, but it pushed me further and further away from them.
When school sucked, I hated coming home because I knew it would make my day even worse. I even called child services on them once. They thought I wasn't smart enough to look up numbers and dial them myself, so they blamed my friends. I love my parents, but I love them more from far away. When I had nothing, there was someone I could always turn to… God.
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| This is "MY Story" (YouTube) |
Monika: From your perspective, how would you describe the current situation of transgender women in the United States?
Kamilla: I think it's getting a LOT better. More and more people are starting to be exposed to us and see that trans women are not like what you see on “Jerry Springer,” and that we are simply people looking for love and acceptance like anyone else in this world. We are all connected, and to hate someone just for being who they are is, in my opinion, a form of hating yourself.
Monika: What do you think about transgender stories or characters which have been featured in films, newspapers, or books so far?
Kamilla: It's great!!! I don't really like that most of the trans women featured in films or shows come off as the “typical” masculine‑sounding or eccentric type, because there are all kinds of trans women out there, and it's a shame Hollywood mainly focuses on that one stereotype. It's like they are afraid to break the idea that all trans women sound or act the same, when in reality we don’t. I will say that it's awesome we are getting more exposure and changing people's minds about us. My dream is to become the FIRST mainstream trans singer and inspire others not to give up, because no matter who you are, you are worthy of greatness if you believe in yourself and keep going.
Monika: Are you active in politics? Do you participate in any lobbying campaigns? Do you think transgender women can make a difference in politics?
Kamilla: I'm not all that active in politics. I feel like most younger people my age aren’t, really. I do believe that anyone can make a difference in politics, and trans women should be no exception. We are all equals and deserve to be treated as such.
Monika: Are you involved in the life of your local LGBT community?
Kamilla: Sadly, where I live there is no LGBT community. Most people are very closed‑minded, Bible‑thumping, backward‑walking hypocrites, and it really bothers me. I do know a few other trans women and men in the area, and they message me privately, and I help them with whatever they may need, especially by giving them information on how to navigate things. I feel responsible for them in a way, like a parent. I did everything on my own, and I’m younger than most of the trans men and women who message me, yet I pushed through, and now I'm just returning the favor. Good karma!
Monika: The transgender cause is often presented alongside other LGBT communities. As the final letter in that acronym, do you feel the transgender community is truly able to advocate for its own needs within the larger LGBT movement?
Kamilla: I feel like we are able to, but it's more difficult for us. Sadly, many gay men don't realize or don’t want to accept that trans women are not men, nor are we gay. I identify as a heterosexual woman, and believe it or not, many gay men put me down because of it. I don't understand why, although I have a few assumptions, but as I was taught, “if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all.”
Kamilla: It's great!!! I don't really like that most of the trans women featured in films or shows come off as the “typical” masculine‑sounding or eccentric type, because there are all kinds of trans women out there, and it's a shame Hollywood mainly focuses on that one stereotype. It's like they are afraid to break the idea that all trans women sound or act the same, when in reality we don’t. I will say that it's awesome we are getting more exposure and changing people's minds about us. My dream is to become the FIRST mainstream trans singer and inspire others not to give up, because no matter who you are, you are worthy of greatness if you believe in yourself and keep going.
Monika: Are you active in politics? Do you participate in any lobbying campaigns? Do you think transgender women can make a difference in politics?
Kamilla: I'm not all that active in politics. I feel like most younger people my age aren’t, really. I do believe that anyone can make a difference in politics, and trans women should be no exception. We are all equals and deserve to be treated as such.
Monika: Are you involved in the life of your local LGBT community?
Kamilla: Sadly, where I live there is no LGBT community. Most people are very closed‑minded, Bible‑thumping, backward‑walking hypocrites, and it really bothers me. I do know a few other trans women and men in the area, and they message me privately, and I help them with whatever they may need, especially by giving them information on how to navigate things. I feel responsible for them in a way, like a parent. I did everything on my own, and I’m younger than most of the trans men and women who message me, yet I pushed through, and now I'm just returning the favor. Good karma!
Monika: The transgender cause is often presented alongside other LGBT communities. As the final letter in that acronym, do you feel the transgender community is truly able to advocate for its own needs within the larger LGBT movement?
Kamilla: I feel like we are able to, but it's more difficult for us. Sadly, many gay men don't realize or don’t want to accept that trans women are not men, nor are we gay. I identify as a heterosexual woman, and believe it or not, many gay men put me down because of it. I don't understand why, although I have a few assumptions, but as I was taught, “if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all.”
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| A smile is HAPPINESS you'll find right under your nose. Xoxo |
Monika: Shifting to something more personal and creative, what role does fashion play in your life, and how would you describe your everyday style?
Kamilla: Oh, I loooooove fashion!!!! I love the art behind fashion and the creativity. Expressing yourself through fashion and makeup is truly a gift. I usually wear pants and a cute shirt, but in the summer I wear shorts and a crop top here and there. I'm usually in flats, but wedges and heels are fabulous as well. I love showing off those legs!!
At the beginning of my transition, I was overly feminine, as most trans women are, because we bottled up our true selves for so long. As we continue and grow in the process, we can truly come into our own as women and feel more like the women we were meant to be all along. My favorite designers are Zuhair Murad and Alexander McQueen. Zuhair is my favorite, hands down!! Such elegance and class in all his pieces, and the details are out of this world. His designs embody my personality and inner heart.
Kamilla: Oh, I loooooove fashion!!!! I love the art behind fashion and the creativity. Expressing yourself through fashion and makeup is truly a gift. I usually wear pants and a cute shirt, but in the summer I wear shorts and a crop top here and there. I'm usually in flats, but wedges and heels are fabulous as well. I love showing off those legs!!
At the beginning of my transition, I was overly feminine, as most trans women are, because we bottled up our true selves for so long. As we continue and grow in the process, we can truly come into our own as women and feel more like the women we were meant to be all along. My favorite designers are Zuhair Murad and Alexander McQueen. Zuhair is my favorite, hands down!! Such elegance and class in all his pieces, and the details are out of this world. His designs embody my personality and inner heart.
Monika: What are your thoughts on transgender beauty pageants and the opportunities they provide?
Kamilla: I think they are wonderful! Beauty pageants are fun in general and very entertaining. The biggest trans pageant is “Miss International Queen,” held originally in Thailand or the Philippines, I believe. I love that pageant and think the grand prize of cash and sexual reassignment surgery is just the BEST thing any transsexual woman could be given, a new chance at an authentic, beautiful life.
Monika: Could you share how important love is in your life and what it means to you?
Kamilla: Oh gosh, I just love that word (“love”)!! It's such a powerful word with strong emotions wrapped inside it. Love is something every single human being on this PLANET can relate to, and isn't that an amazing thing?!?! I truly feel that we are ALL connected spiritually in some way, and when we spread negativity and hate to others, we are also spreading those things back to ourselves. I call it the “I'm rubber, you're glue” effect. Maya Angelou said it best: “Hate, it has caused many problems in this world but has not solved one yet.” Such powerful words couldn’t be more true.
If we each do our part as individuals, no matter your color, race, sex, or identity, and spread that thing we call “love,” then I truly feel this world would be in a much happier, more peaceful state. I don't chase my dreams or make YouTube videos for fame or money. I do it because I believe in it, and I believe in inspiration, spreading a message of peace and knowledge and enlightening others through love. This is why I chase my goals and make my videos. Love.
Monika: Many transgender women write memoirs about their journeys. Have you ever thought about creating a book yourself?
Kamilla: I have! I've always been a very expressive person and always had a “way with words.” The only problem is I'm quite lazy when it comes to writing, so I would have a difficult time doing page after page after page of my biography, investing countless hours into it. You never know, though, I may start doing a page here and a page there, and before you know it, I'll have a book!! The editing someone will have to do after I finish… I shudder at the thought, ha!
Kamilla: I think they are wonderful! Beauty pageants are fun in general and very entertaining. The biggest trans pageant is “Miss International Queen,” held originally in Thailand or the Philippines, I believe. I love that pageant and think the grand prize of cash and sexual reassignment surgery is just the BEST thing any transsexual woman could be given, a new chance at an authentic, beautiful life.
Monika: Could you share how important love is in your life and what it means to you?
Kamilla: Oh gosh, I just love that word (“love”)!! It's such a powerful word with strong emotions wrapped inside it. Love is something every single human being on this PLANET can relate to, and isn't that an amazing thing?!?! I truly feel that we are ALL connected spiritually in some way, and when we spread negativity and hate to others, we are also spreading those things back to ourselves. I call it the “I'm rubber, you're glue” effect. Maya Angelou said it best: “Hate, it has caused many problems in this world but has not solved one yet.” Such powerful words couldn’t be more true.
If we each do our part as individuals, no matter your color, race, sex, or identity, and spread that thing we call “love,” then I truly feel this world would be in a much happier, more peaceful state. I don't chase my dreams or make YouTube videos for fame or money. I do it because I believe in it, and I believe in inspiration, spreading a message of peace and knowledge and enlightening others through love. This is why I chase my goals and make my videos. Love.
Monika: Many transgender women write memoirs about their journeys. Have you ever thought about creating a book yourself?
Kamilla: I have! I've always been a very expressive person and always had a “way with words.” The only problem is I'm quite lazy when it comes to writing, so I would have a difficult time doing page after page after page of my biography, investing countless hours into it. You never know, though, I may start doing a page here and a page there, and before you know it, I'll have a book!! The editing someone will have to do after I finish… I shudder at the thought, ha!
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| This is "MY Story" (YouTube) |
Monika: What advice would you give to transgender women who are afraid of starting their transition or facing discrimination and hostility?
Kamilla: I face so much discrimination on a daily basis. Granted, I do “pass” pretty well for not having had any surgeries yet, but before hormones and finishing laser, it was horrible. I would walk into stores dressed in female attire and hear people laughing and see them pointing. The worst memory is when I walked past a family and heard the little girl ask her father, “Daddy, is that a man?” That really took me back and still hurts to this day, though I no longer have that problem since finishing laser hair removal and being on hormones for almost two years now.
To any and all trans women, all I can say is be STRONG. Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in this world.” Be positive, stay hopeful, and know that you are NOT alone. Your life is precious and valuable, and the first year of transition is DEFINITELY the hardest. But if I could make it through in this Bible Belt, redneck, sharpshooting, closed‑minded southern town, then honey, so can you!! Also, if you ever feel lonely, do what I do: watch other trans women on YouTube , even me!! You'll find the support you need; it's out there if you just reach for it. Sending you so much love and positive vibes, my friends. (Huge hugs!!!!)
Monika: What is your next step in the present time and where do you see yourself within the next 5-7 years?
Kamilla: My next step in life is to move to LA and pursue my dream of singing and acting. The competition is fierce out there, but I truly feel this is the path God has placed me on, and as the famous Bible verses say: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and “When God is with you, who can be against you?”
I am hoping that in the next 5–7 years I'll be doing what I love and being successful, while inspiring others and letting them know that if I did it, then so can you!! Dreams are too precious to give up. Hold on, remain strong, and keep pushing and opening those doors. Don't take “no” for an answer. Get out there and make a difference in this world one person at a time. Great things take time, and you are worthy of greatness. Much love, my sisters.
Monika: Kamilla, it was a pleasure to interview you. Thanks a lot!
Kamilla: Oh no, the pleasure was all mine, darling. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to interview me. (Holds up a glass of champagne) Cheers, darling , to a new, authentic life and to spreading love and positivity everywhere we go. May our stories continue to raise awareness and break through walls of hate and ignorance. Love is stronger than anything, and that is the “weapon” of choice!!
All the photos: courtesy of Kamilla A.
© 2015 - Monika Kowalska
