Nikola Piława is a young Australian video blogger whose openness and creativity have made her a recognizable voice in the transgender community online. Originally from New Zealand, she grew up surrounded by a supportive environment that gave her the courage to embrace her identity. At just 20 years old, she made the bold move to Australia to follow her dream of becoming a makeup artist, and it was there that her career and online presence began to flourish. Her YouTube channel, where she documents her transition from male to female, has become not only a personal diary but also a resource for others seeking guidance and reassurance. What makes Nikola stand out is her ability to speak about her journey with honesty, warmth, and relatability. She answers questions about her transition with patience and sincerity, stressing that there are no “stupid” questions when it comes to understanding trans issues. In sharing her story, she offers a glimpse into the realities of hormone therapy, surgery, fashion, and everyday experiences, all while encouraging others to find joy in self-expression.
She balances her passion for beauty and style with a clear mission to help others feel less alone in their struggles with gender dysphoria, and she often reminds her followers that things do get better. Beyond her online presence, Nikola is a dedicated professional. Her love of makeup is more than a hobby; it has become both a career and an art form through which she expresses herself and empowers others. She has also started contributing to her company’s upcoming YouTube channel, where she creates tutorials and makeup demos. Always looking forward, Nikola dreams of new opportunities, whether in beauty, fashion, or perhaps even writing a book one day when she feels her story has reached another chapter. Nikola Piława embodies the spirit of resilience and authenticity, showing that being true to yourself can inspire and uplift others. With her talent, charm, and determination, she continues to prove that personal stories have the power to educate, connect, and create change.
Monika: Today I have the pleasure and honor of speaking with Nikola Piława, a young Australian video blogger who shares her transition journey on YouTube. Welcome, Nikki!
Nikki: Hi Monika! It’s wonderful to be here, thank you so much for inviting me.
Monika: Could you introduce yourself to our readers and share a little about who you are?
Nikki: My full name is Nikola. I’m 20 years old and I reside in Australia. I grew up in New Zealand, only recently moving here to start my career as a makeup artist. Creating YouTube videos documenting my transition from male to female is something I do to help educate and support other people. I also have an unhealthy obsession with makeup and dogs.
Monika: Your vlog has become very popular, and you answer many questions about your transition. Has there ever been a question that felt unusual or particularly memorable?
Nikki: I don’t think any of the questions I’ve been asked have been strange per se. Every question in relation to transitioning I take seriously. There are no stupid questions. :)
Monika: What inspired you to start sharing the details of your transition on YouTube?
Nikki: I made my channel in hopes to help educate other people on transitioning and trans issues. I also thought it was a good way for me to document my transition as I’m a very visual person.
Monika: Where would you say you are in your transition at this point?
Nikki: I started getting rid of my boy clothes, wearing makeup, growing out my hair, and so on when I left high school in 2013. I began hormone therapy in mid-2014. My breast augmentation was only in January this year.
Monika: Looking back at your experience so far, how do you feel about the physical changes that hormone therapy has brought you?
Nikki: Not completely. For me personally, the results I received included clear, smooth skin, reduced body hair on my tummy and armpits, slightly softer features, and loss of muscle. I was really hoping for a curvier figure but my hips and breasts barely grew. It can be frustrating at times, but I try to focus on the positive aspects of the changes I have achieved.
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| Nikola applying makeup to a client at her work. |
Monika: And what about the emotional side of hormone therapy, how has it influenced your well-being?
Nikki: I have a hard time gaining weight so it’s just my genetic predisposition that prevents me from getting a curvier figure. I am very satisfied with how HRT has affected me mentally though. I am so much more content with my appearance. I don’t suffer as much gender dysphoria. Overall, the mental benefits have been the most rewarding part of the process for me.
Monika: From your own journey, what do you think other transgender women might find most helpful when planning their own transitions?
Nikki: Something that set my YouTube channel apart from others at the time I made my first video was that no other New Zealand girls were making videos about transitioning. I made a video dedicated to explaining the process I went through in New Zealand to transition medically. It felt important to give others access to information I wished I had when I first started.
Monika: How do you see the value of sharing personal experiences when the process can be so different depending on where someone lives?
Nikki: Obviously, the process of transitioning differs in every country. I feel like I can share an experience that hadn’t been fully shared at the time, thus helping other girls in a similar situation. I believe every personal story adds another piece to the bigger picture of visibility and understanding.
Monika: How would you describe the current situation for transgender women in the country where you live?
Nikki: Because I’ve only lived in Australia for 8 months I can’t really say. New Zealand, on the other hand, accommodates trans women quite well. We receive hormone therapy that is covered by the government. It’s definitely something that is improving as more people become educated.
Monika: When did you begin your transition, and what was that experience like for you at the time?
Nikki: I started transitioning in 2013 when I was 17. It was the first semester of my last year of high school. I had known for about a year prior that transitioning would make me happy. It was all I could think about every day. I couldn’t even focus on school anymore, and my only motivation was to transition. I knew I couldn’t start my transition in high school due to bullying, so I dropped out and took up my job at Wendy’s full time. I was finally free to express myself how I had always wanted. My family and friends had known me for a year, but I felt like I had been released from prison. It was a huge relief to finally live authentically, even with all the challenges that came with it.
Monika: How did the medical process for transitioning unfold once you decided to move forward?
Nikki: At the end of 2013, I saw an endocrinologist about beginning HRT. Transitioning in New Zealand is a fully funded process, and I think we have it really good over here. It took about six months from my first appointment to receiving the hormones. I was moving at the time, which slowed everything down, but it was worth the wait to start this important part of my journey.
Monika: When you were starting your transition, did you have any transgender role models or people who inspired you?
Nikki: Gigi Gorgeous on YouTube. I religiously watched all of Gigi’s makeup tutorials and vlogs. At the time she hadn’t come out as transgender, but I admired how she was always so confident wearing a full face of makeup and 6-inch heels. She is so fabulous, and I wanted to follow in her footsteps while also taking my journey a step further with HRT. Her confidence really motivated me to embrace myself fully.
Monika: How did it feel when you realized your role model was experiencing the same journey as you?
Nikki: Only a couple of months after I saw my endocrinologist, Gigi made the video ‘I Am Transgender’. I was so happy that my idol was going through the exact same thing as me. The woman who inspired me to transition was transitioning herself. Thank you, Gigi. It made me feel less alone and gave me even more courage to continue on my path.
Monika: Are there are any transgender ladies that you admire and respect now?
Monika: Are there any transgender women you admire or look up to today? Nikki: Of course, I still love Gigi. Laverne Cox, Carmen Carrera, Stef Sanjati, my best friend Kyla, and Julie Vu, also known as PrincessJoules. They all inspire me in different ways, whether through their confidence, advocacy, or creativity.
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| Nikki pre-hormone therapy (left). Nikki early 2016 (right). |
Monika: What would you say was the most challenging part of coming out?
Nikki: Becoming comfortable around my family and going out in public. My family has always been super supportive and accepting. I cared so much about what they would think that I was really scared to tell them. Once I told them, it became a matter of easing into being myself around them. It was a bit hard on everyone, I think. Also, finding the courage to go shopping for female clothes when you look like a teenage boy is nerve-racking. It taught me a lot about patience and self-compassion.
Monika: How do you feel about the way transgender stories or characters have been represented in films, newspapers, or books so far?
Nikki: I tend to stick to YouTube and internet articles, so I haven’t seen or read many. I have seen the movie Boy Meets Girl, though. I absolutely love this movie, and it does a great job at representing a realistic transsexual girl. I wish there were more mainstream stories with the same level of authenticity.
Monika: Being part of the LGBT community, do you think transgender issues get enough attention, or is it important to highlight them separately?
Nikki: Of course. We have been promoting our issues for a long time. Although trans issues are becoming more prevalent in mainstream culture, I think it’s good to promote our community separately as well. This ensures that each community’s needs and injustices are not merged together and overlooked. Visibility is key to making real progress.
Monika: Do you enjoy fashion, and how would you describe your personal style?
Nikki: I love fashion, though not as much as makeup. I love clothing from or inspired by the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s because I feel these eras had the most feminine and elegant styles. Due to my job, my wardrobe consists mainly of black tops, skirts, and pants. Fashion is a way for me to express myself creatively every day.
Monika: What are your thoughts on transgender beauty pageants?
Nikki: I think they’re wonderful. I would love to enter a pageant one day. Trans women should be able to enter non-trans-specific pageants, too. It’s great that they exist because they celebrate confidence and individuality.
Monika: How important is love in your life, and what does it mean to you?
Nikki: I’m an extremely affectionate person. I think I have a lot to give. Now that I’m happy and content in my life, I’d love to find someone special to give that to. Love is a huge motivator and source of happiness for me.
Monika: Many transgender women write memoirs. Have you ever considered writing one yourself?
Nikki: Perhaps when I’m a bit older. Right now I don’t feel like I’ve experienced enough to start writing. One day, I hope to share my story to inspire others who are just beginning their journeys.
Monika: Are you working on any new projects at the moment?
Nikki: The company I work for is creating a YouTube channel. I will occasionally be making makeup demos and helping run the channel. It’s exciting to be part of something that allows me to combine my skills and creativity.
Monika: What advice would you give to transgender girls who are struggling with gender dysphoria?
Nikki: I know this cheesy line gets said a lot, but it gets better. Know that you’re not alone. Every trans person experiences gender dysphoria no matter what their situation is. Hormones will help ease dysphoria if you’re not on them. Utilize makeup if you enjoy it and practice in your spare time. It can really make you feel a million bucks when applied nicely. Most importantly, surround yourself with people who love and respect you as a female. Believe in yourself and the journey you’re on.
Monika: Nikki, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me today.
Nikki: It was my pleasure, Monika. Thank you!
All the photos: courtesy of Nikola Piława.
© 2016 - Monika Kowalska
