Interview with Allison Annalora - Part 2

It is always a rare pleasure to return to a conversation with someone whose story continues to inspire and evolve. My first interview with Allison Lenore Annalora took place in 2013, and at that time I was struck by her warmth, honesty, and courage in sharing the many layers of her journey. Today, several years later, I am delighted to meet her again at a very special moment in her life. Allison has just published her long-awaited autobiography, Late Blooming: My Gender Journey, a candid and heartfelt account of her path toward authenticity. Allison is a woman of many talents and passions. She is a gifted singer, admired for her vibrant performances in cabaret and her ability to capture the glamour and spirit of the greats, including her beloved Barbra Streisand. She is also a creative hairstylist and make-up artist who has helped countless people feel beautiful and confident. Beyond her artistry, Allison is a woman who has lived through challenges that shaped her resilience, including a difficult childhood with adoptive parents who struggled with alcoholism, years of navigating gender identity in times when acceptance was far less visible, and heartbreaking personal losses that tested her strength.

Interview with Allison Lenore Annalora

Allison Lenore Annalora is an American cabaret singer and hairstylist whose life story is as inspiring as her performances. Born in Alderwood Manor, Washington, in May of 1955 as Larry Duane Miller, she was adopted at birth and grew up in Seattle. From the age of three, Allison knew she was a girl, a realization that marked the beginning of a challenging journey toward her authentic self. Her childhood was difficult, shaped by adoptive parents who were not particularly understanding or tolerant, and her school years were filled with bullying and discrimination. Despite these hardships, Allison’s resilience never wavered, and she has remained dedicated to living openly as her true self. Her first attempt to transition came at nineteen, but lacking support, she de-transitioned, only to successfully begin her transition at fifty-four and complete it at fifty-five. Today, she celebrates the unwavering support of her friends, family, and colleagues, who have embraced her transformation without hesitation.