Yasmin Lee is a woman whose life seems woven from threads of survival, artistry, and quiet revolution. Her story begins not on a stage or a film set, but in the dense Cambodian jungle, where she entered the world as her family fled a brutal work camp, born into rain, danger, and the fierce determination of a mother who refused to let go. From that first breath, Yasmin’s life has been shaped by resilience, by the instinct to move forward even when the world feels impossibly heavy. Years later, she would transform that resilience into art. Before Hollywood ever called her name, she was a make‑up artist crafting beauty for others, a drag showgirl lighting up coastal stages, and a young woman navigating her transition at a time when transgender visibility was nearly nonexistent. She stepped into adulthood without role models, without a roadmap, and often without the safety nets so many take for granted.
Yet she carved out a place for herself, with talent, with courage, and with a spirit that refused to dim. Her journey through the adult film industry, and later into mainstream cinema with roles in The Hangover Part II and Red Ice, reflects not only her versatility but also her willingness to step into spaces where transgender women had rarely been seen, let alone celebrated. Yasmin’s presence on screen has opened doors, sparked conversations, and challenged the boundaries of representation. She has lived boldly in worlds that were not built for her, and in doing so, she has helped reshape them. But beyond the spotlight, Yasmin carries a profound emotional landscape, marked by family loss, personal reinvention, and the ongoing work of healing. She speaks openly about love, identity, and the weight of expectations, offering a voice that is both vulnerable and strong. Her advocacy, her artistry, and her lived experience make her not only a performer but a storyteller of rare honesty.
Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Yasmin Lee, an American entertainer and adult movie actress, TV celebrity, model, and make-up artist. Hello Yasmin!
Yasmin: Hi Monika, thank you for having me.
Monika: Yasmin, with so many talents, which field are you most drawn to: acting, modeling, or perhaps something entirely different?
Yasmin: To be honest I’m not quite sure what I would be content with most. I had always been drawn to different things, and enjoy the experience of it all too much to settle for a specific. I love the arts.
Yasmin: To be honest I’m not quite sure what I would be content with most. I had always been drawn to different things, and enjoy the experience of it all too much to settle for a specific. I love the arts.
Monika: Your life is full of incredible stories that could make a perfect movie: the US Navy drop-out, doing make-up for Hollywood actresses, working as a casting director and adult film actress, and finally becoming a Hollywood actress… Which part of this journey feels the most dramatic to you?
Yasmin: There are so many life-changing moments in my life but I would say the most dramatic chapter might be my birth. If only I’m a writer. My birth name is Kosal, meaning to bless or one who blesses. It’s a unisex name. For the first time, my mom and dad didn’t know what my sex will be at birth. They must have had clear dreams to guide them with the 7 siblings before me. Anyhow, my mom, along with my father, 6 sisters, and brother, decided to escape from the concentration work camp in Cambodia. She was 7 months pregnant with me.
Monika: That is an incredibly intense beginning to life. What have you been told about the moment you were actually born?
Yasmin: I was birthed while in hiding in the deep jungle. My family told me bullets were flying, along with the white noise of chaos. It was a rainy night and my sisters gathered around holding banana leaves to help shelter my mom from the rain. Not many can say that their whole family helped to deliver them.
Yasmin: There are so many life-changing moments in my life but I would say the most dramatic chapter might be my birth. If only I’m a writer. My birth name is Kosal, meaning to bless or one who blesses. It’s a unisex name. For the first time, my mom and dad didn’t know what my sex will be at birth. They must have had clear dreams to guide them with the 7 siblings before me. Anyhow, my mom, along with my father, 6 sisters, and brother, decided to escape from the concentration work camp in Cambodia. She was 7 months pregnant with me.
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| Courtesy of Yasmin Lee. |
Yasmin: I was birthed while in hiding in the deep jungle. My family told me bullets were flying, along with the white noise of chaos. It was a rainy night and my sisters gathered around holding banana leaves to help shelter my mom from the rain. Not many can say that their whole family helped to deliver them.
One hour after the delivery, she got herself up and we kept on moving. She refused to let anyone help carry me. She couldn’t trust anyone. It’s not uncommon to kill the baby when in hiding for the sake of the whole family or fellow runaways. I was told that I was a good baby just as much as luck as I don’t make noise. The one time that I cried was when we sat on fire ants and they were biting me all over.
Monika: Which actresses or films have inspired you the most throughout your journey?
Yasmin: Joy Luck Club. It was the first great movie that I came across that featured Asians. I feel that there’s such a lack of representation from the Asian community in Hollywood. There are too many great actresses for me to just name one for acting talent.
Monika: And when it comes to representation, is there someone whose impact feels especially meaningful to you?
Yasmin: I would like to default with Laverne Cox as she is not only a great actress but she strikes the largest blow at the barrier wall for our community. I feel that collectively, we as a community, our lives and struggles had been chipping away at Hollywood. Laverne, however, she’s an angel warrior that played the game and showed us it is possible to win. She’s an inspiration.
Monika: Some critics argue that today’s film industry still offers too few opportunities for transgender women to share their stories and talents. Do you feel the same?
Yasmin: I totally agree. I realized by my junior year in high school that I want to be in the arts. I didn’t care whether it was painting, dancing, or acting. I just wanted to be creative. I auditioned for the Academy of Performing Arts at Huntington Beach for singing, dancing, and acting.
Monika: What happened afterward, did you feel supported in pursuing that dream?
Yasmin: After school, I lost sight while drowning in my sexuality and gender. The “Hollywood” world was a daydream. This is due to the lack of representation. Back then, being successful in that field was never a goal that many was reaching for. Acting and performing had always been just a supporting role in my life.
Monika: Later, you appeared in The Hangover Part II (2011) and Red Ice (2011). Do you remember stepping into those productions?
Yasmin: I was fortunate enough to run into these casting calls. Though I was living in Hollywood, I was not seeking out roles. With The Hangover, I was lucky enough for them to find me on either Facebook or MySpace, and asked me to come in to audition. I had nothing better to do and gave it a go. I walked in with no headshot, resume, or expectation.
Monika: That must have been quite an unexpected moment. How did the audition process unfold?
Yasmin: A few days later they called me for a second reading, followed by the 3rd for the director Todd Philip. At the end of the reading, he asked me “so what do I do?” With a half a second hesitation I said I do domination porn. “I just can’t help wanting to make grown men cry.” I Will never forget that awkward moment of why in the world would I say that.
Monika: And once you were in the running for the role, what was the experience like behind the scenes?
Yasmin: After that, I received a phone call saying that it’s down to me and a few girls but they are not even sure about that until they audition the girls in Thailand. I should know in a few weeks. The experience was amazing. It was in and out to wardrobe and hair to work on the looks before shooting. We pick the outfit that I looked the best in and based on that, manufactured the outfit for all the girls in the movie in my scenes. I get to say I help pick and design that pink and white outfit for the girls.
Yasmin: Joy Luck Club. It was the first great movie that I came across that featured Asians. I feel that there’s such a lack of representation from the Asian community in Hollywood. There are too many great actresses for me to just name one for acting talent.
Monika: And when it comes to representation, is there someone whose impact feels especially meaningful to you?
Yasmin: I would like to default with Laverne Cox as she is not only a great actress but she strikes the largest blow at the barrier wall for our community. I feel that collectively, we as a community, our lives and struggles had been chipping away at Hollywood. Laverne, however, she’s an angel warrior that played the game and showed us it is possible to win. She’s an inspiration.
Monika: Some critics argue that today’s film industry still offers too few opportunities for transgender women to share their stories and talents. Do you feel the same?
Yasmin: I totally agree. I realized by my junior year in high school that I want to be in the arts. I didn’t care whether it was painting, dancing, or acting. I just wanted to be creative. I auditioned for the Academy of Performing Arts at Huntington Beach for singing, dancing, and acting.
Monika: What happened afterward, did you feel supported in pursuing that dream?
Yasmin: After school, I lost sight while drowning in my sexuality and gender. The “Hollywood” world was a daydream. This is due to the lack of representation. Back then, being successful in that field was never a goal that many was reaching for. Acting and performing had always been just a supporting role in my life.
Monika: Later, you appeared in The Hangover Part II (2011) and Red Ice (2011). Do you remember stepping into those productions?
Yasmin: I was fortunate enough to run into these casting calls. Though I was living in Hollywood, I was not seeking out roles. With The Hangover, I was lucky enough for them to find me on either Facebook or MySpace, and asked me to come in to audition. I had nothing better to do and gave it a go. I walked in with no headshot, resume, or expectation.
Monika: That must have been quite an unexpected moment. How did the audition process unfold?
Yasmin: A few days later they called me for a second reading, followed by the 3rd for the director Todd Philip. At the end of the reading, he asked me “so what do I do?” With a half a second hesitation I said I do domination porn. “I just can’t help wanting to make grown men cry.” I Will never forget that awkward moment of why in the world would I say that.
Monika: And once you were in the running for the role, what was the experience like behind the scenes?
Yasmin: After that, I received a phone call saying that it’s down to me and a few girls but they are not even sure about that until they audition the girls in Thailand. I should know in a few weeks. The experience was amazing. It was in and out to wardrobe and hair to work on the looks before shooting. We pick the outfit that I looked the best in and based on that, manufactured the outfit for all the girls in the movie in my scenes. I get to say I help pick and design that pink and white outfit for the girls.
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| Promo video for APAIT (YouTube). |
Monika: How did it feel to be treated like part of a major Hollywood production?
Yasmin: For both movies, I was treated like a star. Everything from what was in my trailer to having it next to Bradley Cooper. The only thing challenging with being the Succubus in “Red Ice” was the 5 hours going into makeup and the fighting scene. My right wrist was banging against the flute so many takes when the guy was blocking my knife stabbing in the choreography. We had to keep icing in between takes.
Monika: Are there any new roles or projects you’re excited about? IMDb mentions your role as Ying in Promoted (2015).
Yasmin: Well I’m trying to audition a little more whenever I have free time. I got the part of Ying in this fun, raunchy comedy. I don’t want to give away too much. Let's just say that she is trouble in everyone’s fight for that promotion.
Monika: Many people still associate you primarily with your adult film career. IMDb lists over 20 titles. How did your path lead you into that industry?
Yasmin: When I first came to Los Angeles, I was a make-up artist and a drag impersonator showgirl along the coast by night. I enjoyed being on stage and performing. This was before I started my transitioning. I was fortunate enough to be in the right circle. Not many artists were fortunate enough to start right away working with Michelle Rodriguez, Paris and Nikki Hilton, Nicole Richie, Carmen Electra, Pussycat Dolls, etc.
Monika: And once you began transitioning, how did that affect your work and opportunities?
Yasmin: When I started to transition, I started working less and less. Not because I wasn’t being hired but my own fear of facing people that knew me as a boy. Really wish I had role models or a support group to help guide me during that time. I was then introduced to a friend from the production company Anabolic. I started to do make-up for the girls and that extra money really help spring my transitioning. I was asked to help create their “Tgirls” line for an otherwise straight company.
Monika: What finally pushed you to step in front of the camera yourself?
Yasmin: One week, after dealing with the girls repeatedly flaking on my shoot, I decided to jump in front of the camera. I didn’t think much about it. I was comfortable after being around that world for some time now. Plus all the transgender girls I knew were either doing porn and or escorting. It sounds dumb, but back then, my naïve mind really thought that it’s normal and the only option in our community.
Monika: And financially, can a transgender actress make a stable living in that field?
Yasmin: It can be. Just like anything, if you put in the time and effort to work, you will get paid. I was fortunate enough to be loved and desired. If you follow my career, you’ll realize that I attempt to reach for stardom. There was no promotion or networking to really play the game. My success truly came from fans and their marketing of me.
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| Courtesy of Yasmin Lee. |
Monika: Some transgender activists argue that adult films featuring transgender women create a negative image of the community. How do you respond to that criticism?
Yasmin: They need to step back with that perspective and analyze the circumstances before judging or casting a stone. Adult entertainment is not the transgender movement’s enemy here. Society’s inability to understand transgender people and embrace that diversity is the enemy. Porn exists with or without transgender people. This is more of a social moral debate in which the transgender community is not excluded.
Monika: And when you look at the broader cultural conversation around sexuality, what troubles you the most?
Yasmin: The fact is, porn can only exist if the majority watch it and want it to be created. Almost everyone watches it. It is disturbing that we live in a world where we are taught to be ashamed of our sexuality. And I am sad that some within my own community would think to throw stones while being stoned.
Monika: You also mention the realities many transgender women face. What do you feel people often overlook?
Yasmin: Many of our transgender sisters are in fact in the adult entertainment world. So whether we like it or not, it is a large part of our community. What we need to address is the social injustice that our community faced and continues to face that lead us down this path. Back then, there was no Janet Mock, or Laverne Cox, or Yasmin Lee on the big screen. Our world consists of hiding during the day and dressing up for the clubs. Many are abandoned by the world and by their family. Most are not given the opportunity to have a fair chance at a regular job to survive.
Yasmin: They need to step back with that perspective and analyze the circumstances before judging or casting a stone. Adult entertainment is not the transgender movement’s enemy here. Society’s inability to understand transgender people and embrace that diversity is the enemy. Porn exists with or without transgender people. This is more of a social moral debate in which the transgender community is not excluded.
Monika: And when you look at the broader cultural conversation around sexuality, what troubles you the most?
Yasmin: The fact is, porn can only exist if the majority watch it and want it to be created. Almost everyone watches it. It is disturbing that we live in a world where we are taught to be ashamed of our sexuality. And I am sad that some within my own community would think to throw stones while being stoned.
Monika: You also mention the realities many transgender women face. What do you feel people often overlook?
Yasmin: Many of our transgender sisters are in fact in the adult entertainment world. So whether we like it or not, it is a large part of our community. What we need to address is the social injustice that our community faced and continues to face that lead us down this path. Back then, there was no Janet Mock, or Laverne Cox, or Yasmin Lee on the big screen. Our world consists of hiding during the day and dressing up for the clubs. Many are abandoned by the world and by their family. Most are not given the opportunity to have a fair chance at a regular job to survive.
Monika: It is so true... When you think back to those early years, what was the hardest part of navigating life without support?
Yasmin: I know very well for myself and many others, that starting or finishing school for the hope of a great job in the future did not factor in. The only thing that registered in my mind at that moment with no guidance was living my life as a woman, and getting money to make that happen. It was either be true to myself or end my life. How we get here today is not from the few girls sitting on top as role models but rather the story of our living and struggles touching everyone we met, whether good or bad.
Monika: And despite the hardships, you highlight the importance of visibility. Why is that so essential for the community?
Yasmin: We would not be where we are today with our successes and acceptance without the stereotype of these porn stars and streetwalkers in the mainstream. It was exposure for conversations, and through those conversations, we are blessed with the opportunities to educate them. We need to embrace these girls and their stories as we are standing on their lives to be where we are now as a community. If all fail, practice empathy.
Monika: Have you ever taken part in transgender beauty pageants?
Yasmin: I sure have. I think it is a great platform for the girls to celebrate their beauty, talent, and intelligence. Not to mention the opportunity to come out and enjoy each other as a community.
All the photos: courtesy of Yasmin Lee.
Monika: And despite the hardships, you highlight the importance of visibility. Why is that so essential for the community?
Yasmin: We would not be where we are today with our successes and acceptance without the stereotype of these porn stars and streetwalkers in the mainstream. It was exposure for conversations, and through those conversations, we are blessed with the opportunities to educate them. We need to embrace these girls and their stories as we are standing on their lives to be where we are now as a community. If all fail, practice empathy.
Monika: Have you ever taken part in transgender beauty pageants?
Yasmin: I sure have. I think it is a great platform for the girls to celebrate their beauty, talent, and intelligence. Not to mention the opportunity to come out and enjoy each other as a community.
Monika: Beauty can be a powerful tool. Do you find yourself using that power often?
Yasmin: I think that beauty is very powerful but not more than intelligent kindness or knowledge of life’s experiences. That aside, I have used my looks to my advantage all the time. I usually turn down drinks as I work hard to afford my own, so I don't have to deal with annoying cuties at the bar. I’m also a firm believer that if you distract the boys with your perfect breasts and hypnotic eyes, you will use less lube. And the money saved is power.
Yasmin: I think that beauty is very powerful but not more than intelligent kindness or knowledge of life’s experiences. That aside, I have used my looks to my advantage all the time. I usually turn down drinks as I work hard to afford my own, so I don't have to deal with annoying cuties at the bar. I’m also a firm believer that if you distract the boys with your perfect breasts and hypnotic eyes, you will use less lube. And the money saved is power.
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| Interview for WMTV (YouTube) |
Monika: During your transition, did you have any transgender women you could look up to?
Yasmin: At the time of my transition, the ladies that exist were the girls I met in clubs and showgirls. I picked up many make-up tricks from Raja from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Her beauty and showmanship was my inspiration.
Monika: Looking back, what was the most difficult part of coming out?
Yasmin: Thinking I was going to lose my family and feel I was alone. I wish there were people by my side during these stages in my life to help guide me. It’s because of this that I constantly reach out to transgender youth. Our job as decent human beings is to want our children to have everything that we didn’t have, for them to learn from our mistakes and excel in the pursuit of their own happiness.
Monika: How do you see the current situation of transgender women in the United States?
Yasmin: I think that this is an amazing time. We are united through the Internet and social media. The world has heard our voices more for the last 10 years than during our whole existence. I feel that the war for equality is far from over but it’s a great start. Unfortunately, there’s usually war before there’s peace.
Monika: Are you personally involved in political activism or advocacy? And do you believe transgender women can influence politics?
Yasmin: I would love to see our community running for office as we can always use leaders. Our battle for equality, however, will only be successful once the minds and hearts of the mainstream are ours. I ask everyone to be active in voicing themselves. Write and call your government to let them hear you and donate to organizations like ACLU. They are our frontline in political battles. I had been a part of the ACLU (American Civil Liberty Union) for a while now as a member, and a board member for the last 3 years.
Monika: And what about love, what place does it hold in your life today?
Yasmin: If we are talking about finding that special someone, I’m a little broken and numbed right now to fully invest my life for love. When your heart is broken because you lost family members in your life, your idea of love is lost and changes. I am open to it if it comes and learning to accept if it doesn’t find me this lifetime. As long as I fall in love with myself and who I am as a person then I will be happy. Right now my focus is the love that my family and I have for each other.
Monika: When you think about fashion, how would you describe your own style? Do you gravitate toward certain outfits, colors, or moods?
Yasmin: I’m told that I’m pretty fashionable, though I’m all over the place. Clothing for me has always been "let's play". I don’t follow or follow trends but rather just enjoy expressing how I feel at that moment. Sometimes it is conservative, sometimes glam, sometimes rock, sometimes slutty. I have never been a fan of showing off labels unless it’s for a specific look or image that I feel like playing that day. I will mix a blouse that I found at a flea market for $5 with a $10,000 couture designer skirt that I was stupid enough to splurge on because I was once young and stupid. If you’re walking out the door feeling good about yourself then you are good to go. Have fun and make mistakes.
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| Courtesy of Yasmin Lee. |
Monika: Many transgender women eventually decide to share their journeys in memoirs. Has the idea of writing your own story ever appealed to you?
Yasmin: I had several offers that approached me to write my stories in the past. I think that if I’m a better writer or somewhere along the way learn to write, I would love to tell my stories. I think I have a very unique perspective and life lessons.
Monika: And what about your present, are there any projects or plans you’re focusing on these days?
Yasmin: I wasn’t feeling well after I finished shooting “Promoted”. I had a system crashed in NYC in the subway. I think it’s a combination of everything from the heat that day, to going through a divorce, to never dealing with the death of my little brother in the war, followed by my dad to a stroke, and lastly my older brother to a fire.
Monika: That sounds overwhelming. How have you been coping with everything?
Yasmin: I was in and out of the hospitals with what looks now like panic attacks. I’m with my family right now and recovering really nicely. While shooting "The Hangover", I had to fight the tears in between some of the takes because it was my little brother 1 year anniversary after he died in Afghanistan.
Monika: For young transgender women dreaming of a path similar to yours, what guidance would you offer them?
Yasmin: If we are talking about porn, I would continue to say to them that it is not for most. There is nothing wrong with doing porn but understand that it will close many other doors. The world will wrongfully judge you with anything that they don’t see themselves doing, whether it is legal or not. Our moral compass is a constant variable.
Monika: And when someone is truly considering that path, what should they keep in mind emotionally?
Yasmin: There are more options and opportunities now than ever for a transgender woman and think about what it is that you dream of being and doing and don’t be afraid. Fight for your life and consider all possibilities before going on this road. There is a possible burden that can come from sex and money. Depending on who you are, how you are raised, how you see the world, who you are meant to be. All of these variables will factor in how you deal with yourself once you do porn.
Monika: And how do you think someone can prepare for the emotional aftermath?
Yasmin: You can love it or learn to be OK with it with time, or hurt by it. The healing can be within a day, week, month, or it could be years or your lifetime. The problem is you’ll never know until the ship had already sailed.
Monika: Yasmin, thank you for the interview!
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