Interview with Saigon Le

Monika: Today I have invited Saigon Le, a Vietnamese-born former model, actress, and now aesthetics nurse from the sunny state of California, USA. We will talk about her amazing life experiences and challenges related to her transition. Hello Sai!

Sai: Hi Monika it’s a pleasure to be a part of this so thank you for recognizing your fellow sisters.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Sai: My name is Saigon, I am a transgender female from California. I’m the youngest of nine children but I feel because of my unique circumstances l have the oldest soul.

Monika: You can boast over 10 years of experience as a nurse. Why did you decide to become a nurse?

Sai: Well, first I’d like to emphasize that this career was not born out of self-belief. I had a very troubled upbringing and was on my own at age 17, I found a “tribe” of drag queens and queer club kids that performed at club ARENA and hung out, performed as well as lived together. I wasn’t very good on stage but I was just happy to be there. There was an electrifying and talented performer named Barbarella, she and I became very close. She was my drag mother and taught me how to wear eyelashes, corsets, and wigs.

Interview with Aleks

Monika: Today I am going to have a conversation with Aleks, an American esthetician, former male model, and proud transgender woman that shares her transition story on social media. Hello Aleks!

Aleks: Hello! Thank you for interviewing me. It’s an honor to be a part of your blog.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Aleks: Being a visible trans woman on social media has helped me spread love, support, hope and education within and outside of the LGBT community. After a viral birthday post last summer, which attracted millions of views across Instagram and Reddit, it connected me with so many people struggling the way I have. The messages that I inspired someone to be themselves were beyond heartwarming. With that new little platform led to being interviewed and sharing my story on a global platform.

It’s my intention to help others understand the medical and psychological causes of gender dysphoria. This will help us gain access to lifesaving and affirming care, and overcome discrimination.

Being transgender is not a choice. I’m no celebrity. Ultimately just a proud 25-year-old trans woman with a big heart. But most people couldn’t begin to fathom just what it took to bring me into this world.

Interview with Jennifer Cobian

Monika: Today I am going to chat with Jennifer Cobian, a Puerto Rican-born beauty expert, make-up artist, model, and transgender woman from Miami, Florida, that shares her transition story on social media. Hello Jennifer!

Jennifer: Hello Monika! Thank you for having me here. I'm honored to be included in this platform that showcases amazing trans women from around the world.

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Jennifer: Well, I’m from Puerto Rico, and I had to relocate to Miami after a major hurricane destroyed almost everything in the island in 2017. I enjoy going to Disney, collecting Barbie memorabilia, and wearing designer shoes.

I am still single! If any gentleman reading wants to take me out ;)

Monika: What are your favourite pieces in your Barbie collection?

Jennifer: Oh wow that’s a tough question because I love so many of them! But if I could narrow it down to three I’d say. I love the Blond Diamond doll by the Blonds, the 50th Anniversary Barbie and the MAC Barbie Doll, it was my first ever collector doll and it started the whole craze.

Interview with Daniella Schofield

Monika: Today I am going to interview Daniella Schofield, a British beauty expert and Avon representative from Blackpool in the United Kingdom. In 2019, Daniella joined Avon, a direct sales company in beauty, household, and personal care categories, which changed her life. So we are going to touch upon the Avon story and her personal challenges related to her transition. Hello Daniella!

Daniella: Hello Monika!

Monika: Could you say a few words about yourself?

Daniella: Hi! My name is Daniella Schofield, I started my transition in 2016 when I was 35, and at the time I was managing services in health and social care. In 2018 my mother's partner and carer suddenly passed away, which totally devastated me. My life changed from that day. I left my job and started caring for my mother at home, and times became very hard, hard emotionally, and even harder financially, as I needed money.

I had no idea what I was going to do, so I joined Avon. I saw an advertisement on Facebook and signed up, I had no real expectations, but it was worth a shot, just to feel like I was doing something that gave me an escape, something to focus on. I was really low; little did I know Avon would change my life.