When we talk about trailblazers within the British transgender and LGBTQ community, one name shines with particular resonance, Rhyannon Styles. She is an actress, writer, performer, columnist, and activist who has brought visibility, creativity, and honesty to countless audiences over the past two decades. Many first came to know her as a fearless performer with Carnesky Productions, where she pushed boundaries and reinvented theatrical magic with raw and unapologetic power. Others discovered her through her writing, including her candid and witty columns for ELLE UK, which captured the nuances of transgender life with grace, humor, and sharp social insight. In 2017, she expanded that honesty into her widely acclaimed memoir The New Girl: A Trans Girl Tells It Like It Is, a book that resonated deeply with readers navigating identity, resilience, and the courage to live authentically. Rhyannon’s career has spanned both stage and screen, from avant-garde performances in London’s Soho Theatre to dancing alongside Kylie Minogue on ITV, touring with Arcade Fire, and stepping into television drama with the BBC’s groundbreaking Boy Meets Girl. Each step in her journey has been marked not only by her artistic range but also by her determination to amplify trans voices and open doors for the next generation of performers.
Her presence has helped shift the cultural landscape in the UK, showing that transgender women are not only storytellers of their own experience but versatile, multi-dimensional artists capable of portraying any role. What makes Rhyannon especially inspiring is the combination of her artistry and activism. She is a cultural figure who embodies visibility, yet she never shies away from acknowledging the patience, obstacles, and moments of self-doubt that are part of the transition journey. Through her work and words, she has shown that the “T” in LGBTQ is not a silent letter, but a powerful and vital part of the broader movement for equality. Beyond performance and activism, she also has an unmistakable sense of style and charisma, one that reflects her belief in progress over perfection, and her embrace of individuality in fashion, love, and life itself. Today, it is my honor and pleasure to speak with Rhyannon about her career, her memoir, her views on representation, and her advice to others walking the path she once took. This conversation is not only about her achievements but also about the deeper truths she has uncovered along the way, about art, identity, resilience, and the transformative power of being unapologetically yourself.
Monika: Today it is my great pleasure and honor to interview Rhyannon Styles, an actress, writer, ELLE UK magazine’s columnist, one of the most influential British LGBTQ activists, and the author of the biographical memoir The New Girl: A Trans Girl Tells It Like It Is (2017). Hello, Rhyannon!
Rhyannon: Hi Monika!
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| Interview for Elle UK (YouTube) |
Monika: You are such a multi-talented woman, with a career that spans writing, performing, and activism. Let’s begin with your work as an actress and performer. Since 2008, you have been part of Carnesky Productions, whose latest theatre show Carnesky’s Incredible Bleeding Woman was recently staged at Soho Theatre in London. Could you tell me what it meant for you to be part of a performance that explored the idea of putting the magic back into menstruation?
Rhyannon: You know the classic sawing-in-half trick, usually performed by male magicians? Well, this time we reversed the action. I appear from inside the sawing-in-half illusion, naked and covered in blood. It was purely magical. The performance gave me a sense of power and connection to something bigger than myself.
Monika: Beyond Carnesky’s Incredible Bleeding Woman, you have been involved in many other artistic projects. Could you share some highlights from your performance career so far?
Monika: Beyond Carnesky’s Incredible Bleeding Woman, you have been involved in many other artistic projects. Could you share some highlights from your performance career so far?
Rhyannon: I have been performing since 2004, which has included the Guggenheim in New York City, dancing with Kylie Minogue on ITV, and touring with Arcade Fire. Each of those experiences gave me a new perspective on what it means to be a performer.
Monika: In September 2016, you appeared on television in the BBC drama Boy Meets Girl. How did you connect with the role you played, and what was the atmosphere like during the filming process?
Rhyannon: I played a trans woman who attends a support group to talk about a recent transphobic attack. The atmosphere on set was exciting, and I really liked the buzz around a production like that. It felt like being part of something fresh and important for television at the time.
Monika: I previously had the chance to interview Rebecca Root, who played the lead role in Boy Meets Girl. She hoped that the series would make a real impact in the UK. From your perspective, how do you see the drama’s influence on public perception of transgender characters?
Rhyannon: I think it has done just that. It has been noted as one of the first dramas to include trans actors, which many other shows have now continued with. It opened doors and helped normalize trans representation on screen.
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The book to be released on 1 June 2017. The book cover by Cameron McNee. |
Monika: Let’s talk about the women who inspire you. Who are some of your favorite actresses?
Rhyannon: Cate Blanchett, Courtney Love, Christina Ricci. Each of them has a unique energy that I’ve always admired.
Monika: In recent years, many cisgender actresses have been cast in roles portraying transgender women. Why do we rarely see transgender actresses playing cisgender characters?
Rhyannon: We will very soon; I know it’s going to happen within the next year! The industry is changing, and I can feel that shift coming.
Monika: It is also inspiring to see how many talented transgender women in the UK are using their visibility to advance the transgender cause. How do you view this growing presence?
Rhyannon: Yes, the UK has a wealth of trans people who are visible right now. It feels like a very exciting moment to be part of this community.
Monika: In 2017, you released your memoir The New Girl: A Trans Girl Tells It Like It Is. What motivated you to share your story in book form?
Rhyannon: I was asked by my publishers, Headline, after they read my ELLE columns. It felt like the right opportunity to expand on themes I had only touched on in shorter pieces.
Monika: Which lessons or insights from your own journey do you believe could be most helpful for other transgender women?
Rhyannon: I’ve loved transitioning, but it required buckets of patience and acceptance. I hope others will realize that transition is not something that can happen overnight, and it definitely isn’t a trend. It’s a deeply personal process that unfolds at its own pace.
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| Interview for Elle UK (YouTube) |
Monika: You began your transition at the age of 30. Was it a difficult process for you at that stage of life?
Rhyannon: I started at the age of 30. It wasn’t difficult, although occasionally it was challenging. But I believe without obstacles you don’t grow. Transitioning at that age gave me a strong sense of clarity and purpose.
Monika: During that time, did you have any transgender role models or cultural references that supported and inspired you?
Rhyannon: I loved referencing my Nan Goldin book called The Other Side. It really helped me when I didn’t feel that I was progressing. The images carried a sense of resilience and beauty that I needed to see reflected back at me.
Monika: Today, there are many inspiring transgender women who are shaping culture and society. Which transgender women do you admire and respect the most right now?
Monika: Today, there are many inspiring transgender women who are shaping culture and society. Which transgender women do you admire and respect the most right now?
Rhyannon: Many – Charlie Craggs, Paris Lees, Hari Nef, and Mx Justin Vivian Bond. Each of them has contributed something unique to visibility and representation.
Monika: Coming out can be a life-changing moment, often filled with both relief and difficulty. What was the hardest part of your own coming out journey?
Rhyannon: Being honest with myself. Once I could do that, everything else slowly started to fall into place.
Monika: The transgender community is often grouped together with the wider LGBTQ movement. Do you feel the trans cause is able to stand out and promote its own voice within this broader alliance?
Rhyannon: Absolutely, I think the ‘T’ is a very powerful letter in the abbreviation. It may be at the end, but for many, it’s the most prominent. The visibility of trans people today proves just how strong our presence really is.
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| Another headshot. |
Monika: I must say, I love your style! Fashion is such a personal expression of identity. How would you describe your sense of style, and what kinds of outfits or trends do you enjoy the most?
Rhyannon: I’m still learning about my style, and I often buy things that don’t work for me. But I believe in progress and not perfection. I love wide-legged trousers because they complement my long legs, and I’ve recently got back into buying heels too. Fashion for me is playful, experimental, and always evolving.
Monika: Love is a theme that touches everyone’s life in different ways. What role does love play in yours?
Rhyannon: Love for yourself is an absolute must, and when you can do that, others will flock towards you. It’s the foundation for building healthy relationships with others.
Monika: You are always involved in creative work and collaborations. Could you share what new projects you are currently working on?
Rhyannon: Yes, a collaboration with a cosmetic brand, but I can’t say who it is yet. It’s an exciting project that I can’t wait to reveal more about soon.
Monika: Many transgender women face struggles with gender dysphoria, especially in the early stages of transition. What advice would you give to those going through this difficult experience?
Rhyannon: Talk to people, don’t isolate yourself, and remember your situation will always improve. Even small steps forward can lead to big changes over time.
Monika: Rhyannon, thank you so much for sharing your story and insights with me today!
All the photos: courtesy of Rhyannon Styles.
© 2017 - Monika Kowalska
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