Interview with Ellah A. Thaun

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Ellah A. Thaun, a transgender woman, an artist from France, singer & guitarist, co-founder of the electronic duo Valeskja Valcav and playing solo as a folk songwriter. Hello Ellah!

Ellah: Hi Monika!

Monika: When did you decide that music will be your profession?

Ellah: I was 5 or 6, after watching the documentary "Imagine" (about John Lennon) with my mother, I think. I remember being deeply moved without knowing why exactly. I started my first band at 13 after listening to 'Nevermind', like a lot of teenagers born in the eighties and I haven't stopped playing since.

Interview with Estelle Roedrer

Monika: Today it is my pleasure and honor to interview Estelle Roedrer, a French cabaret artist, singer, dancer, and beauty pageant queen. Hello Estelle!

Estelle: Hello Monika and thanks for keeping in touch with me. It’s a great pleasure and honor to me.

Monika: Estelle, you look absolutely stunning! What is the secret of your everlasting beauty?
Estelle: Thanks! Really I don’t know… maybe the natural and simple life?
Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?
Estelle: I will be soon 42, already! Life is passing away so fast! I used to work in cabarets. I lived in many countries: Germany, Spain, and Egypt but I decided to come back to France and since then I have been living here for 11 years.

Interview with Andréa Colliaux

Monika: Today I am going to introduce to you Andréa Colliaux, a French stewardess and author of the autobiographical book titled 'Carnet de bord d'un steward devenu hôtesse de l'air' (2001) - Memories of a Steward Who Became a Stewardess. She was featured in many documentaries, including 'La méthode Cauet' (2008) and 'Nous n'irons plus au bois' (2008). Hello Andréa! 
Andréa: Dzień dobry, Monika! 

Monika: What are you doing these days?

Andréa: I’ve been flying a lot, and this has been quite difficult due to the snow we have in France. I was supposed to go to Austria yesterday, and it took me 18 hours! I came back home after a very hard day!

Monika: Why did you decide to write your autobiography?

Andréa: Because I was so tired to hear or read about transgendered persons, things which were not the truth. It was a huge amount of lies and “préjugés” about us. I wanted to tell the truth about our lives, the fact that in France, we were considered psychotic persons. I wanted to help other people and give them the hope that doing a transition in good conditions was possible, even if it is very difficult...