Interview with Dusty Rose Smith

Monika: Today I have the pleasure of talking to Dusty Rose Smith, an American fashion model, and makeup artist. In 2020, Dusty took part in the first-ever Worldwide Transgender Model Search, organized by Slay Model Management, one of the world’s first agencies to exclusively focus on transgender models. Since then she has been modeling for this agency. Hello Dusty!

Dusty: Hello Monika!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Dusty: I would like to say that I am a very real and fun person to be around. I have a dark and sick sense of humor and a love for animals and fashion! My dream in life is to win an Oscar for acting!

Monika: You describe yourself as "a good girl with bad habits". What are these bad habits? I am sure it is not sweets... :) You are ultra-slim.

Dusty: I have a lot of bad habits lol, definitely smoking is probably my worst. I love Marlboro Reds and weed all day every day! Also, I love getting into trouble and finding excitement and adventure.

Interview with Penelope Alizarin Conley

Monika: Today I have the pleasure and honor of interviewing Penelope Alizarin Conley, an American singer, musician, model, and transgender woman that shares her transition story on social media. Hello Penelope!

Penelope: Hello Monika! Thanks for having me.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Penelope: I’m a transgender woman from Massachusetts, USA. I’m a musician, model, bicycle mechanic, and parent of two wonderful children. I’m so honored to do this interview.

Monika: Are you a professional musician? How would you define your music?

Penelope: Yes. I guess I’m a professional musician although I’ve never had lessons. I’ve been writing songs, and/or been in bands for most of my life without lessons. I’ve received some media and airplay over the years so I guess that’s kind of “professional”.

Interview with Gaby van der Brug

Monika: Today I have the pleasure and honor of interviewing Gaby van der Brug, a Brazilian-born model living in the Netherlands, beauty queen, and transgender woman that shares her transition story on social media. This year she is going to represent the Netherlands in Miss Trans Star International, a beauty pageant for transgender women, which was first held in 2010 in Barcelona, in Catalonia, Spain. Hello Gaby!

Gaby: Hello Monika! Thanks for having me.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Gaby: I'm Gabriela but you can call me Gaby. I'm 21 years old, I'm a hairdresser and upcoming model. I have been living in the Netherlands since I was 11 years old.

Interview with Julia Martins

Monika: Today we are going to Brazil, a fascinating country where my inspirational guest comes from. Julia Martins is a model, beauty queen, and game video creator. Hello Julia! 

Julia: Hello Monika! Nice to meet you! It's a pleasure for me to talk to you and your audience. 

Monika: Could you say a few words yourself?

Julia: I'm Julia, a Libra transgender girl, a lover of life and pets, a gamer from my childhood, and now an alternative Ascencion model at SuicideGirls.com and Onlyfans.  

Monika: How did you start your gaming career?

Julia: Since I was a child, I've always loved playing video games. When I was 5 years old, I already knew that I was "a boy who didn't want to be a boy", and I never realized until I was 13 years old, that I could undergo a gender transition. So I grew up being a sad child. And when I was playing video games, those were the moments when I had happiness during my childhood. So when I grew up, I thought "Why can't I continue to do this?" and that's how I started my life playing video games.

Interview with Erica Burns

Monika: Today I would like to present to you Erica Burns, an American comedian, model, and vlogger documenting her transition on YouTube. Hello Erica!

Erica: Hi Monika. Thank you so much for featuring me in your blog. It is a huge honor.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Erica: Most definitely. I am a transgender woman living in the United States, currently in the process of fighting to complete my medical transition from male to female.

Monika: You uploaded your first video into YouTube in June 2012. What inspired you to start your vlog?

Erica: That is correct. Back then, I was inspired by female comedians like Sarah Silverman and her show, The Sarah Silverman Program, along with Chelsea Handler and her shows Chelsea Lately and After Lately. That summer between college semesters, I decided to get silly and creative and put myself out there on YouTube in a comedic fashion, hoping it would make me famous.

Interview with Jessica Potak

Monika: Today I am talking to Jessica Potak, an American social media influencer from Long Island, NY, YouTube vlogger, and a transgender woman that documents her transition on social media. Hello Jessica!

Jessica: Hayy Monika!!! Thank you so much for having me on and giving me a chance to share my story!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Jessica: Well, I'm an almost 40-year-old post-op transgender woman from Long Island New York. I'm a single mother and have custody of my wonderful 13-year-old daughter Leah, who is one of my biggest supporters! I'm a visual artist, rock guitarist, model, and earth angel. I use social media as a way to outreach to the trans community and connect with the people that need a friend or mentor.