She moves through the world like a flicker of golden light, eyeliner sharp, lips painted red, her heart stitched together with equal parts vintage lace and sheer determination. From Gateshead, UK, where the skies often blush grey and the Tyne whispers stories of grit and survival, emerges a woman whose life is anything but ordinary. Jossy Yendall is not just a performer, a model, or a pageant queen, she is an anthem of reinvention. Raised among the quiet streets of northeast England, she dared to imagine a life lit by stage lights, sequins, and spotlights. Where others saw limitations, she saw costume changes. Where others whispered "not yet," she replied with "watch me." With every drag show, with every perfectly arched brow and jazz note sung, Jossy built herself, layer by shimmering layer. Inspired by the haunting elegance of Greta Garbo and the raw charisma of Bette Davis, she has never been content with blending in. She turns heads not with noise, but with presence. Not with perfection, but with truth. She began, like so many trans women, in the margins, in the in-betweens, the not-yets, the what-ifs.
But even as the world tried to edit her story, Jossy wrote her own narrative in lipstick and resilience. From amateur dramatics to Drag Idol, from working the tills to walking the catwalk, her life has been a defiant waltz toward visibility. Winning Miss Transgender UK wasn't just a crown, it was a reclamation. And yet, beyond the pageantry and performance lies a tender vulnerability. Jossy speaks candidly of transition, of the aching in-between spaces, of friendships that anchored her and nights that tested her. She shares her dreams not just of fame, but of love, the kind that holds you gently and sees you completely. In this interview, she opens her heart with candor, humor, and grace. She is a woman who celebrates her femininity loudly but loves quietly, who knows the power of beauty but treasures kindness even more. From the soul of Gateshead to the stages of Northern Pride, Jossy Yendall reminds us all: There is nothing more radiant than a woman who finally becomes herself.
Monika: Hello, Jossy! It’s such a pleasure to speak with you. You’re an incredibly inspiring woman, and I’ve been looking forward to this conversation.
Jossy: Hello, Monika! Thank you so much, that truly means a lot. I’m excited to be here and to chat with you.
Monika: For those just getting to know you, how would you describe yourself in a few sentences? What are some of the passions and interests that define who you are?
Jossy: I’m an aspiring model and actress from the North East of England. I also love to belly dance and sing jazz standards. I love R&B music, vampire mythology, and animal print.
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| Photo by Amy Joelle Hanna. |
Monika: Earlier this year, you captured national attention when your participation in Miss Transgender UK was featured by the British media. What was your overall experience of the pageant, did it feel empowering?
Jossy: All in all, it was a good experience, as I do believe that the pageant has opened a few doors for me. What drew me to this pageant was the fact that it wasn’t based on looks, but was more about how, as transgender women, we are able to be positive role models and contribute to society. I also managed to gain more self-confidence, which is something that I do struggle with. So even though I didn’t win the grand prize, I still am proud of what I achieved, and it really motivated me to take my modeling and acting career seriously. The pageant was followed by a documentary crew (Minnow Productions) and will air on BBC3 (date TBC). I wasn’t a ‘main role’ in the documentary, so I don’t know how much footage of me will be used, but I just hope I come across well.
Monika: Every pageant has its own backstage story. How would you describe the dynamic among the contestants? Were there any genuine connections or friendships formed during the experience?
Jossy: When I entered the pageant, I never thought that I would make friends, but I am glad to say that I did. I consider Fay Louise (Miss Transgender North) to be one of my closest friends now; the pageant was a journey for both of us, and we are from similar backgrounds and of the same age. I’d actually known of her for years, we moved in the same circles up North, but we had never met until the pageant. To say there was an atmosphere among the other contestants would be an understatement. Can’t say too much on this until the documentary airs.
Monika: Before Miss Transgender UK, you had already stepped into the spotlight through competitions like Newcastle’s Alternative Model in 2012 and Drag Idol in 2013. What do you remember most about those early experiences?
Jossy: Newcastle Alt. Model 2012 was my first ever experience with modeling. I was in a play at university, and various members of the cast kept saying that I would make a good model. I saw a casting for the contest, and I’ve been slowly building up my career ever since. The same goes for Drag Idol. I think that most girls do drag before they transition, but I’ve always done things a bit differently. I began drag performance after being in transition for about eight years.
For me, drag was something fun and a way to express my gender in a performative way. In my everyday life I blend in and ‘pass’ well, so drag was a way for me to exaggerate my femininity. My ‘drag sister,’ Honey Lingus, encouraged me to take part. Again, I’m glad I did, as I got to the semi-final and, on the back of it, got some performances on the local gay scene and also performed twice at Northern Pride in ‘The Trans Zone.’
Monika: When preparing for pageants or performances, do you usually create your looks on your own, or do you collaborate with others for your outfits, makeup, and hair?
Jossy: A lot of the time, I just do my own makeup and hair, unless stylists are provided. My signature look is winged eyeliner and red lipstick. I took part in a promotional photoshoot for The Daily Mirror, and the makeup artist there said that the only other celebrity client who used the porcelain foundation was Sophie Ellis-Bextor, I thought that was quite cool.
My gala dress for the final was designed by a local Newcastle-based designer, Christopher Niari. I know him through the drag scene, and he’s had collections showcased at Newcastle Fashion Week. I gave him some ideas about how I wanted my dress to look, but gave him full creative control. The dress he designed exceeded my expectations, and I almost cried when I saw it for the first time.
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| Backstage at a photoshoot. |
Monika: How would you describe your everyday style? Do you gravitate toward specific fashion brands, colors, or signature pieces?
Jossy: I do love designer labels, but unfortunately, I just don’t have designer money. My favorite fashion house is Yves Saint Laurent, I love women in suits, and I think that YSL was one of the first brands to put women in suits.
My mum used to wear YSL’s Rive Gauche perfume back in the ’80s; that scent reminds me of her (although I wouldn’t wear it myself, my signature fragrance is Shalimar Initial by Guerlain). I LOVE animal prints, it’s a bit of a trademark of mine. My everyday style just depends on what I’m doing. I like dressing smart for the right occasion, but I also love just chilling in a nice comfy sweatshirt and leggings.
Monika: You have such a magnetic presence, have you ever seriously considered turning your talents toward a professional career in acting or modeling?
Jossy: Yes, I feel that now is the right time to take my modeling career to the next level. I am looking to get agency-signed, it’s a bit exhausting because you really have to put yourself out there. Acting has been a passion of mine since I was about 8 years old. I started performing in amateur dramatics at that age, and I’ve loved the stage ever since. I recently graduated from Northumbria University, where I did a degree in Performing Arts. At university, I was exposed to many different types of performance and theatre, so I have a good understanding of the subject.
Monika: Are there any screen legends or classic films that have particularly inspired or captivated you?
Jossy: My grandma gave me an appreciation for the classic Hollywood actresses. I love Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Bette Davis, Rita Hayworth, Joan Crawford, Judy Garland, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Dorothy Dandridge (to name but a few). They were always so glamorous and had such interesting lives.
Monika: You’ve had experience as a drag performer in the past. Could you tell us more about those shows and what they meant to you?
Jossy: I don’t do drag anymore. I never wanted to make a career out of drag performance; it was more of a hobby. The best show I ever did (and also the last ‘official’ show) was at Northern Pride in 2014. I performed a 40-minute set with Honey, the show went down a storm, and we managed to fill the tent we were in. Our show paid homage to our favorite divas, such as Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand, En Vogue, Brandy & Monica, Cleopatra, Maria Callas, TLC, and Beyoncé. It was a bit of a mixed bag, but that’s what makes a good show. It needs to have variety, otherwise people get bored.
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| Photo by Jessie Edwards-Thomas. |
Monika: Beauty can be a powerful form of self-expression and empowerment. Do you find yourself tapping into that power in your daily life?
Jossy: I’m just a regular girl who wants to make a difference in the world, even if it's just in a small way. I think anyone can have an inner power, regardless of their gender identity.
Monika: When you were beginning your transition, were there any transgender women in the public eye who inspired or guided you?
Jossy: I ‘came out’ around the time that Nadia Almada was in Big Brother, so she certainly had an influence on me when I was in my teens. My very first memory of seeing and knowing a transgender female was back in 1998 when Dana International won Eurovision. I was only 11 or 12, but she did make an impact. There are more transgender role models now, which is great. I think there needs to be more than just one or two famous trans women, there is room for all of us. We are all different, and people need to see this.
Monika: What would you say was the most difficult part of coming out and embracing your identity?
Jossy: The fear of what people would think. At the time I was coming out, I wasn’t in a good place mentally. I had no friends and never left the house. I had developed a social anxiety disorder in my late teens (which, looking back now, was all connected to gender dysphoria). I used to worry a lot about what people would say and how it would affect my family. I’m so lucky that my family is accepting of me, though, as I know that this is not the case for other trans people.
Monika: In your view, how has the experience of being a transgender woman in British society evolved over the years?
Jossy: I certainly think that things are getting better for us. When I first began my journey, there was still a bit of a stigma and ‘shame’ attached to being trans. Well, that’s how I perceived things. But now, I find that cisgender people are more accepting. We need to remember, though, that we are ALL on a journey, the journey of life, and that applies to EVERYONE, not just trans people.
Monika: Do you see yourself as someone who influences change, even if not directly through political activism? In your opinion, can transgender women help shape society in powerful ways?
Jossy: I stay out of politics. I am a performer, an entertainer, and if I can make a difference by just being true to myself, then in some ways, I believe that I am helping to make a change. You never know who could be watching you when you perform, and some young person who has doubts about their assigned gender might see me owning the stage and think to themselves, “If she can do it, so can I.” To me, that’s a pretty amazing thing.
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| Photo by Lorraine @ Sugar Shots Photography. |
Monika: Discussions around LGBTQ+ rights often group all identities together, but each letter represents a unique experience. Do you think the transgender community is able to advocate for its own needs within the broader LGBTQ+ movement?
Jossy: Like I said, I stay out of politics. I think that some trans people are just so caught up in the whole ‘trans’ community that they cannot seem to see past that. I didn’t transition to be transgender; I transitioned because I am a woman. I understand that not everyone will agree, and I love and accept non-binary people. We are all humans, and that’s the point I like to make.
Monika: How important is love in your life, and would you be willing to share a little about your current love story?
Jossy: I like to keep my love life private, but I am single and on the lookout for a king.
Monika: What are your next steps at this moment, and where do you envision yourself in the next five to seven years?
Jossy: I have just been selected as a Grand Finalist in the Ms. Galaxy Pageant. This pageant is open to all women, not just transgender women, and I am very excited about it. I have also recently been appointed an Ambassador for The Alternative Fashion Fest, which will tour nationally next year. In the next five or so years, I would like to be signed with an agency and have regular acting and modeling work. I have no desire to be famous, but I do want to be successful and show others that you can achieve your goals if you are willing to work for them.
Monika: What advice would you give to transgender girls who dream of participating in beauty pageants?
Jossy: My advice to others is to do what makes you happy, but be prepared to work for it. I think the majority of pageants nowadays focus on more than just physical beauty, so you need to have a genuine personality. Don’t enter a pageant just to benefit yourself, judges always prefer contestants with sincere intentions. So if you really want to make a difference, then go for it! Also, don’t take it so seriously that you become a nightmare pageant queen. Keep yourself in check and remain humble and grounded.
Monika: Thank you so much for the interview, Jossy! Wishing you all the best with your career, fingers crossed for your continued success!
All the photos: courtesy of Jossy Yendall
© 2015 - Monika Kowalska
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