Monika: Today, it is my great pleasure and honor to interview the remarkable Lauren Foster, a South African model, actress, party promoter, transgender activist, marketing consultant, and blogger at JustAnotherGirl.org, who now serves as the Director of LGBTQ+ Concierge Services at the University of Miami Hospital. Hello Lauren! You look absolutely radiant today. How are you?
Lauren: Good morning, Monika. Thank you for your sweet words. It's wonderful to be here with you today.
Monika: You are best known as a groundbreaking and successful model. Do you ever find yourself looking back at those glossy magazine spreads where you were celebrated as one of the most beautiful women in the world?
Lauren: Growing up in South Africa, it was my dream to be a model and travel the world. I never thought it would happen. Looking back, I wish I had taken it all in more, but I was young and it was life just unraveling. I definitely appreciate it more now.
Lauren: Good morning, Monika. Thank you for your sweet words. It's wonderful to be here with you today.
Monika: You are best known as a groundbreaking and successful model. Do you ever find yourself looking back at those glossy magazine spreads where you were celebrated as one of the most beautiful women in the world?
Lauren: Growing up in South Africa, it was my dream to be a model and travel the world. I never thought it would happen. Looking back, I wish I had taken it all in more, but I was young and it was life just unraveling. I definitely appreciate it more now.
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| Wearing Burberry for Miami LGBTQ Heroes. |
Monika: What I find truly inspiring is that you’re still modeling, especially in an industry that can be so quick to move on.
Lauren: I am very fortunate. I had a period of not working, but in the last 6 or 7 years, my career rebooted itself. I think my 2 seasons on Real Housewives had a lot to do with it. I’m just happy to still be working.
Monika: When you reflect on your remarkable modeling career, posing for Vogue, countless fashion shoots in Johannesburg, Paris, Milan, and New York, and serving as a muse for renowned designers, what moments or experiences do you think were pivotal to your incredible success?
Lauren: When I was living in Mexico City and my booker told me that VOGUE had requested me, it was probably my biggest “AH HA” moment. When the issue hit newsstands, I bought it and spent the night staring at it and weeping. It was a strange feeling because I couldn’t share the fact that I was trans with anyone. Times have definitely changed, and I’m grateful to have witnessed that progress.
Monika: You and Caroline Cossey were among the few successful transgender models of your time, yet both of you had to keep your identities hidden. Today, the fashion industry proudly features transgender models like Lea T, Felipa Tavares, Ines Rau, Andreja Pejić, Amazon Eve, Valentijn de Hingh, and many others. What do you think has sparked this growing interest and visibility of transgender women in fashion?
Lauren: I have mixed feelings about this new interest in trans models. I would like to think that a model should be hired because they are thought to be the best person to showcase a designer’s brand or product, not because we are trans. I think Ines’ career path typifies this. Her body of work is stellar.
Monika: What kind of outfits do you gravitate toward in your everyday style? Are there any specific designers, colors, or fashion trends that you feel especially drawn to?
Lauren: I wear a lot of Rick Owens and vintage Helmut Lang. Their aesthetic suits me perfectly. I’m a big fan of sexy, edgy, comfortable clothing in muted shades.
Lauren: I am very fortunate. I had a period of not working, but in the last 6 or 7 years, my career rebooted itself. I think my 2 seasons on Real Housewives had a lot to do with it. I’m just happy to still be working.
Monika: When you reflect on your remarkable modeling career, posing for Vogue, countless fashion shoots in Johannesburg, Paris, Milan, and New York, and serving as a muse for renowned designers, what moments or experiences do you think were pivotal to your incredible success?
Lauren: When I was living in Mexico City and my booker told me that VOGUE had requested me, it was probably my biggest “AH HA” moment. When the issue hit newsstands, I bought it and spent the night staring at it and weeping. It was a strange feeling because I couldn’t share the fact that I was trans with anyone. Times have definitely changed, and I’m grateful to have witnessed that progress.
Monika: You and Caroline Cossey were among the few successful transgender models of your time, yet both of you had to keep your identities hidden. Today, the fashion industry proudly features transgender models like Lea T, Felipa Tavares, Ines Rau, Andreja Pejić, Amazon Eve, Valentijn de Hingh, and many others. What do you think has sparked this growing interest and visibility of transgender women in fashion?
Lauren: I have mixed feelings about this new interest in trans models. I would like to think that a model should be hired because they are thought to be the best person to showcase a designer’s brand or product, not because we are trans. I think Ines’ career path typifies this. Her body of work is stellar.
Monika: What kind of outfits do you gravitate toward in your everyday style? Are there any specific designers, colors, or fashion trends that you feel especially drawn to?
Lauren: I wear a lot of Rick Owens and vintage Helmut Lang. Their aesthetic suits me perfectly. I’m a big fan of sexy, edgy, comfortable clothing in muted shades.
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| Photo by Dale Stine. |
Monika: What are your thoughts on transgender beauty pageants and their role in shaping visibility and opportunities for trans women?
Lauren: I think about them the same way I think about the interest in trans models. I believe we should be judged as women, not just as trans women, but I respect the pageant system because it has helped many girls and given them a platform to forge ahead to bigger and better things.
Monika: You’ve also made a mark through your acting roles in The Real Housewives of Miami, Circuit, and Joseph Lally’s artistic films Faces and Miss America Commits Suicide. Looking back, you had (and still have!) the intelligence, talent, and beauty to thrive as a Hollywood actress. Do you have any regrets? Do you feel you could have achieved more in that arena?
Lauren: Acting was my first love, but being a model for years and having to hide the fact that I was trans stifled my interest in pursuing an acting career. There was a time when I was studying with Sally Kirkland at Lee Strasberg and really just loving my craft, but my boyfriend always said that I would be outed, and that stopped me from pursuing it further. Yes, I have regrets about it. I would love to be able to share my acting chops now. Are you listening, Jill Soloway?
Monika: You transitioned at the age of 18 with the incredible support of your family, which is not something that many trans people experience. Most of us face the heartbreaking reality of losing family and friends during our transitions. How do you feel about your unique situation?
Lauren: I owe everything to my wonderful parents. They were supportive and accepting from the get-go. I am the woman I am today ONLY because of their love. I am fortunate to work with trans youth now and help them on their journey, also counseling their parents. You’d be surprised at how many wonderful parents are out there.
Lauren: I think about them the same way I think about the interest in trans models. I believe we should be judged as women, not just as trans women, but I respect the pageant system because it has helped many girls and given them a platform to forge ahead to bigger and better things.
Monika: You’ve also made a mark through your acting roles in The Real Housewives of Miami, Circuit, and Joseph Lally’s artistic films Faces and Miss America Commits Suicide. Looking back, you had (and still have!) the intelligence, talent, and beauty to thrive as a Hollywood actress. Do you have any regrets? Do you feel you could have achieved more in that arena?
Lauren: Acting was my first love, but being a model for years and having to hide the fact that I was trans stifled my interest in pursuing an acting career. There was a time when I was studying with Sally Kirkland at Lee Strasberg and really just loving my craft, but my boyfriend always said that I would be outed, and that stopped me from pursuing it further. Yes, I have regrets about it. I would love to be able to share my acting chops now. Are you listening, Jill Soloway?
Monika: You transitioned at the age of 18 with the incredible support of your family, which is not something that many trans people experience. Most of us face the heartbreaking reality of losing family and friends during our transitions. How do you feel about your unique situation?
Lauren: I owe everything to my wonderful parents. They were supportive and accepting from the get-go. I am the woman I am today ONLY because of their love. I am fortunate to work with trans youth now and help them on their journey, also counseling their parents. You’d be surprised at how many wonderful parents are out there.
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| Vogue. |
Lauren: There were no trans role models for me growing up. My role models were music and fashion icons like Grace Jones and David Bowie. I met Grace in the ’90s in San Francisco, and we worked together for almost a year. That was a dream come true for me. They showed me that it was possible to break boundaries and be unapologetically myself.
Monika: Are there any transgender women today whom you particularly admire and respect for their contributions or impact?
Lauren: So many. Laverne, for so many reasons. Caroline, because we shared a very similar path. Trace Lysette is a huge talent, and I have a feeling that this is just the beginning for her.
Monika: Looking back, what would you say was the hardest part of your coming out process?
Lauren: The hardest thing was being betrayed, but luckily, it all happened before the Internet era, so any news about me lasted for a week when it was out, and then was probably lining the bottom of a birdcage a few weeks later. Now, with the Internet, things would be a lot different. I often wonder how different it would have been if I had transitioned in today's social media world.
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| Photo by Ethan James Green for CANDY magazine. |
Monika: I’ve read somewhere that cis women were liberated thanks to the development of contraceptive pills, while transgender women are now free due to the advancements in cosmetic surgery, no longer held captive by the "passing" or "non-passing" syndrome. As a marketing consultant for an anti-aging institute, would you agree with this perspective?
Lauren: Even though I am fortunate to have a “passing” privilege, I find it derogatory to judge us like this. There are many cis women who don’t live up to these lofty goals, so why should trans women have to? I do, however, think procedures like FFS help late transitioners a lot. Everyone deserves to feel beautiful and confident in their own skin, regardless of how they are perceived.
Monika: I know you’re working on your biography titled “Just Another Girl.” When do you plan to publish it, and which aspects of your experience do you think will resonate most with other trans women?
Lauren: To be honest, I’ve shelved writing my book for now because I didn’t want to be just another trans person telling my life story. I will definitely re-visit it at a later date when I feel it’s the right time to share my experiences in a way that truly benefits others.
Monika: Love plays a significant role in many people’s lives. Can you share how important love has been in yours?
Lauren: Love is paramount in my life. I have always been in loving relationships, and they fuel me. For the first two decades of my adult life, my partners were unaware of my identity. The last four partners knew about it and embraced it. Love is exciting, stimulating, and vital. I’ve recently rekindled a romance from 19 years ago. He’s an NYPD cop and a beautiful man who accepts me as the woman I am. He doesn’t see my identity as a barrier, and I’m a lucky girl to have found that kind of love.
Monika: Are there any exciting new projects you’re currently working on?
Lauren: I joined the University of Miami Hospital 10 months ago and work with the very talented gender surgeon Dr. Christopher Salgado. He is doing important work and has a huge future ahead of him.
Lauren: Even though I am fortunate to have a “passing” privilege, I find it derogatory to judge us like this. There are many cis women who don’t live up to these lofty goals, so why should trans women have to? I do, however, think procedures like FFS help late transitioners a lot. Everyone deserves to feel beautiful and confident in their own skin, regardless of how they are perceived.
Monika: I know you’re working on your biography titled “Just Another Girl.” When do you plan to publish it, and which aspects of your experience do you think will resonate most with other trans women?
Lauren: To be honest, I’ve shelved writing my book for now because I didn’t want to be just another trans person telling my life story. I will definitely re-visit it at a later date when I feel it’s the right time to share my experiences in a way that truly benefits others.
Monika: Love plays a significant role in many people’s lives. Can you share how important love has been in yours?
Lauren: Love is paramount in my life. I have always been in loving relationships, and they fuel me. For the first two decades of my adult life, my partners were unaware of my identity. The last four partners knew about it and embraced it. Love is exciting, stimulating, and vital. I’ve recently rekindled a romance from 19 years ago. He’s an NYPD cop and a beautiful man who accepts me as the woman I am. He doesn’t see my identity as a barrier, and I’m a lucky girl to have found that kind of love.
Monika: Are there any exciting new projects you’re currently working on?
Lauren: I joined the University of Miami Hospital 10 months ago and work with the very talented gender surgeon Dr. Christopher Salgado. He is doing important work and has a huge future ahead of him.
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| Greg Gorman photo. |
I am proud to be associated with him and UMH. There are a few projects I’ve been offered that I cannot talk about right now, but there are definitely good things to come.
Monika: What advice would you give to transgender girls who are struggling with gender dysphoria?
Lauren: It’s a difficult and confusing time. You are not alone, remember that. Surround yourself with love and support, and do your research. It’s important to take your time and be kind to yourself during this journey.
Monika: My pen friend Gina Grahame once wrote to me that we should not limit our potential based on how we were born or what we see other transgender people doing. She believes our dreams should not end on the operating table but rather begin there. Do you agree with this perspective?
Lauren: I definitely agree. I always say, when pressured to answer “When did you transition?”, that I transitioned on an operating table for 6 hours. That was it! I was born a woman. Not a trans woman. I don’t live at that address anymore.
Monika: Lauren, thank you for the interview!
Lauren: Thank you, Monika. It was my pleasure.
Monika: What advice would you give to transgender girls who are struggling with gender dysphoria?
Lauren: It’s a difficult and confusing time. You are not alone, remember that. Surround yourself with love and support, and do your research. It’s important to take your time and be kind to yourself during this journey.
Monika: My pen friend Gina Grahame once wrote to me that we should not limit our potential based on how we were born or what we see other transgender people doing. She believes our dreams should not end on the operating table but rather begin there. Do you agree with this perspective?
Lauren: I definitely agree. I always say, when pressured to answer “When did you transition?”, that I transitioned on an operating table for 6 hours. That was it! I was born a woman. Not a trans woman. I don’t live at that address anymore.
Monika: Lauren, thank you for the interview!
Lauren: Thank you, Monika. It was my pleasure.
All the photos: courtesy of Lauren Foster.
© 2017 - Monika Kowalska
Some documentaries with Lauren Foster:
Made To Model
Director: Drew Elliott Release Year: 2017 Full title: Made To Model: Trans Beauty in Fashion Released in 2017, Made to Model: Trans Beauty in Fashion stands as a groundbreaking...
