When it comes to online creators, authenticity often makes the strongest impression, and my guest today embodies exactly that. Known to her YouTube audience as “Yvette Tourettes,” Kelly Pärlefrost is a content-maker from Stockholm, Sweden, who shares her journey with remarkable honesty and creativity. At just 23 years old (soon turning 24), Kelly has already worn many hats: assistant nurse, student preparing for higher studies in pharmacy and chemistry, and now an emerging voice within the trans community through her online presence. Kelly’s channel is more than entertainment, it is a personal archive of resilience and growth. One of her most notable projects, a video montage tracing her life from childhood to the present day, reflects not only her evolving style but also the courage it takes to embrace one’s identity publicly. For years, Kelly preferred to keep her transgender background private, dreaming of simply being seen as any other girl. Yet, over time, she came to understand that her journey is not something to hide but a source of strength, and by sharing it she may inspire others walking a similar path. Her influences include trailblazing figures like Caroline Cossey, a model and actress who carved out space for trans visibility in the 1980s, and whose career Kelly admires for both its glamour and resilience against prejudice. Like Cossey, Kelly is drawn to fashion and beauty, particularly the artistry of make-up, which she describes as a way to express moods, eras, and emotions.
While she enjoys experimenting with vintage-inspired looks and has even filmed a make-up tutorial for her channel, Kelly’s interests extend far beyond aesthetics. She is outspoken about the challenges facing trans people in Sweden, where legal protections exist but systemic flaws often leave discrimination unpunished. At the same time, she remains hopeful about the growing voice of the transgender community, noting the strides made in recent years toward visibility and empowerment. Whether discussing LGBTQ politics, media representation, or the complexities of beauty pageants, Kelly brings a thoughtful and balanced perspective. She dreams not only of an academic career but also of possibly stepping into modeling or acting, with her tall frame and striking features setting her apart. Above all, Kelly emphasizes one guiding principle: the importance of living as your true self, even when the world makes that difficult. Her story is a testament to perseverance, individuality, and the quiet bravery of choosing authenticity over fear. It is my great pleasure to introduce you to Yvette Tourettes, Kelly Pärlefrost, whose openness, creativity, and ambition make her a voice well worth listening to.
Monika: Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Kelly Pärlefrost, a YouTube content creator from Stockholm, Sweden, who is better known on her channel by the pseudonym “Yvette Tourettes.” Kelly, welcome to the interview!
Kelly: Greetings, Monika!
Monika: Could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your background?
Kelly: My name is Kelly Pärlefrost, I am 23 years old (turning 24 this year), and I come from Stockholm, Sweden. I'm an assistant nurse, and my job used to be in a hospital ward for elderly people with various health conditions. It was a demanding role, but it taught me a lot about patience and empathy.
|
| At a cafe in Stockholm. |
Monika: What are you currently focusing on in your education and personal development?
Kelly: Right now, I’m going to school to get authorization for college studies so that I can become a pharmacist or chemist. I spend a lot of my free time on YouTube watching other people's content since I also enjoy creating similar videos myself. Besides that, most of my time is spent being with friends, going out, or studying. I try to keep a healthy balance between academic goals and enjoying life.
Monika: What made you initially hesitant to share your transition journey with others?
Kelly: Ever since I began living as a girl at the age of 14 or 15, I had a strong desire to keep my trans identity a secret and not talk about it openly with others. My dream was always to be a girl like any other cis girl, but I never really wanted to be associated with the word “trans,” because I thought people would view me differently than before. Looking back, I realize those feelings were very common for me during that time.
Monika: How has your perspective on being open about your identity changed over the years?
Kelly: Today, many years later, I've come to the conclusion that I am who I am and that I should embrace it. It made me realize that all those years of struggling are a big part of me as a person. You could say that I once felt kind of “embarrassed” about my transgender identity, but now I see it as an important part of my growth.
Monika: What inspired you to finally share your transition journey publicly through a creative project?
Kelly: Just a few months ago, I decided to make a video showing me from a very young age up until recently. It was going to be my little art project. The video has pictures of me with my age specified, and you can clearly see many changes in my appearance and style. Creating it felt both exciting and emotional at the same time.
Monika: How do you hope your video will impact people who watch it?
Kelly: I think that other people should be able to see my story if it can help them in the future. It’s important for me to give visibility to the process, so others know they are not alone. Sharing it felt like giving a gift not only to myself but also to anyone who might be struggling.
Monika: Who have been the most influential transgender figures in your life?
Kelly: There are a few, actually, but the one I think is my biggest role model must be Caroline Cossey. She lived her life working as a model back in the '80s and had to face all the problems of being outed in a society without the progress we have today. Her courage and visibility continue to inspire me.
Monika: What is it about Caroline Cossey’s story that resonates with you the most?
Kelly: I want to read her autobiography My Story, but unfortunately I haven’t yet. I think it’s so cool that she was in a Bond movie and also the first trans woman to pose for Playboy! I also absolutely love her hair and the way she carried herself with elegance.
Monika: How would you describe the current situation for transgender women in Sweden?
Kelly: We have it much better than in many other countries, but that doesn’t mean it’s great. Our society still has a long way to go. We do have laws that protect us from discrimination, but many times we don’t get justice in actual cases of discrimination. A lot of it has to do with flaws in the judicial system, which directly affects how a crime is sentenced. It can feel frustrating knowing that the laws exist but are not always enforced fairly.
|
| Before a night out. |
Monika: What kinds of challenges do transgender people in Sweden face on a daily basis?
Kelly: As a trans person, you get harassed a lot and in many different situations, and it’s rare that the assaulter gets punished. I know people who have been physically abused in broad daylight, and when the cases went to court, the guilty people never even received a penalty for what they did because of the poor judicial system. These stories are sadly not uncommon, and they show how much work still needs to be done.
Monika: How do you feel about the way transgender people are represented in films, newspapers, and books today?
Kelly: It’s great! The more visibility we get and the more our struggles in society come to the surface, the more people will understand, and that is going to create greater awareness. In the long run, I think it will improve our position in society and also change how other groups of people view us. Representation gives us a chance to be seen as real individuals rather than stereotypes.
Monika: Over the past decade, how do you feel the visibility and influence of the transgender community have changed?
Kelly: I think that the last 10 years or so have made the trans community much bigger and more open. Today, we have a stronger voice and are able to do more. We have more power and influence on society than before. I’m very glad to live as a trans person today with all the support and help you can get. It feels encouraging to see this progress compared to how things used to be.
Monika: How do you view the relationship between the transgender community and the broader LGBTQ movement?
Kelly: For many decades, it was primarily gay people who were struggling for equal rights, while trans people never had the same political position or the voice to speak up until recently. I don’t really think the “T” fits into “LGBTQ,” since being trans has nothing to do with sexuality. We’ve always had to take our own stance and fight for our rights to be who we are, often without much support from others. Even today, we remain the most harassed group in the community, which shows how much work still lies ahead.
Monika: What challenges do you see in being grouped together with other LGBTQ identities?
Kelly: A lot of the discrimination against trans people actually comes from gay people, which is kind of bizarre if you ask me. That’s one of the reasons I don’t think we should automatically be considered part of their community, because we shouldn’t have to side with people who offend us while simultaneously posing as our allies. It just doesn’t make any sense to me. At the same time, I wish there could be more genuine solidarity instead of division.
Monika: Your make-up tutorial was wonderful! How would you describe your personal sense of fashion and style?
Kelly: Thank you very much, I had a good time creating it. I like vintage fashion but not the fashion we see today, and I wouldn’t consider myself a trend follower. I usually dress in quite simple, sporty outfits, but at times I wear skirts or dresses. My style changes from day to day, sometimes I want to be sporty, while other days I want to look like I live in a palace, though I especially love apparel and styles from the 80s. Fashion gives me a playful way to explore different versions of myself.
|
| Classic Hollywood Starlet. |
Monika: Between fashion and make-up, which one excites you more and why?
Kelly: I must say that make-up interests me more than fashion. With make-up, you can create such unique looks, and it can reflect your mood or a feeling. You can also represent a specific time or era with the right make-up look. It also makes you look more refined and fresh. Make-up feels like a personal art form that I can reinvent every day.
Monika: How do you personally feel about transgender beauty pageants?
Kelly: It seems like a fun thing to participate in if that’s what you enjoy doing. I’ve never felt the desire to participate in a competition like that, but who knows, one day I might if it feels like the right thing to do. For me, it would have to feel authentic rather than just something to prove.
Monika: Some people debate whether beauty pageants are positive or harmful for the trans community. What is your take on this controversy?
Kelly: There is definitely controversy around these pageants within the community. Some believe they enforce a negative image of trans women, suggesting we are just objects and that the only important thing is to be attractive or beautiful, which lowers our human value in society and gives a poor representation of who we are as people. I can agree with some of that to a degree, but regardless, everyone has their own dreams and can make their own choices. At the end of the day, diversity of interests is normal, and we shouldn’t judge each other for it.
Monika: Many transgender women share their stories through memoirs. Have you ever considered writing one yourself?
Kelly: At this point in my life, I have no intentions of doing so. That said, I love that there are so many memoirs and autobiographies written by fellow sisters in the community! Of course, I might change my mind in the future, you never know. I also believe these stories play an important role in increasing our visibility in society.
Monika: What advice would you give to transgender women who are afraid to begin their transition?
Kelly: You can’t live your life trapped, pretending to be someone else. The only way to be truly happy is to be yourself. It’s not worth living as someone else just to feel “safe,” because then you sacrifice who you really are. Don’t ever give up your identity for someone else. In the end, you only have yourself, so make sure it’s really you. Being authentic may feel scary at first, but it’s worth it for your own peace of mind.
Monika: How do you suggest coping with discrimination or negativity during this journey?
Kelly: I believe there’s no one who goes through life without being subjected to some form of discrimination or unwanted opinions, but we still keep living and fighting for who we are. Someday, the truth of who you are will resurface anyway. Just do it, that’s my advice. Surrounding yourself with supportive people also makes a huge difference along the way.
Monika: Beyond your academic goals, what other dreams or ambitions do you hope to pursue in life?
Kelly: I have a sort of “dream” or ambition to go into modeling or acting. Other people have told me that I have potential since my appearance and facial features are unique, and I’m very tall as well (193 cm / 6'4”). A dream of mine would be to travel the world, see new places, and experience different cultures, foods, and entertainment. But I like living my life day by day and don’t rush things. I also want to continue exploring creative projects that let me express myself fully.
Monika: Yvette, it was a pleasure to interview you. Thanks a lot!
Kelly: The pleasure was all mine!
All the photos: courtesy of Yvette Tourettes.
© 2017 - Monika Kowalska
Other related sources: