Earlier this year, androgynous male model Andrej Pejic underwent gender-reassignment surgery. As part of that transition, Pejic modified her name from Andrej to Andreja.
She has been the toast of the modeling industry for the past four years, gracing the covers of Elle, i-D, Out and New York magazines. Pejic has been on international shows modeling haute couture, and has successfully ( cat )walked the line between modeling both men and women's clothing.
However, she was not comfortable in her own skin and underwent the surgery that she had started researching a decade ago. Pejic will continue to model, but just on a different level. In an email interview with Windy City Times, the Serbian-Bosnian-Croation model discussed gender dysphoria, support from fans and her love for herself.
Windy City Times: Thank you for sharing your story about having sex-reassignment surgery ( SRS ). Why was now the right time to share that story?
Andreja Pejic: I wouldn't say that I specifically timed my coming out. I simply went through transition in secret—something I always knew I had to do. Once the most challenging part was over, I decided it was time to share my story. While the physical part of transition was over, I needed the world to know my gender identity so that I could move on with my life. I was a public person so I also felt there was a social responsibility to open up and tell my story in the hope that it would reach a lot of people and shed light on one of the most oppressed social minorities in the world.
WCT: What was the reaction from your modeling agency about the surgery?
Andreja Pejic: Overall, everyone has been positive.
WCT: People have been very supportive of you on social media, but how have you dealt with those who have been unkind?
Andreja Pejic: The response has been tremendous and every day I get more and more positivity. I think every trans person fears rejection, condemnation and ostracization while revealing who they are to the world. I definitely prepared myself for all of that and that's just the risk we all take for the sake of living truthful lives.
WCT: When you decided to have the surgery, did you hesitate at all about doing it?
Andreja Pejic: Never, not for a second. I didn't want to wonder what it would be like to be completely comfortable in my own body for the rest of my life.
WCT: Is it true that, as a young kid, you were not comfortable in your own skin?
Andreja Pejic: No person that wants to transition is ever completely comfortable in their own skin before transition. I struggled a lot with having to live up to the social role of a "normal boy" when I was younger. It didn't feel natural and made me unhappy.
WCT: Talk about gender dysphoria, which is something you overcame.
Andreja Pejic: Gender dysphoria arises when a transgender individual—in order to fit into society—feels anxiety with having to live in a role that does not match their gender identity.
WCT: When did you find out about SRS?
Andreja Pejic: I found out about it online at the age of 13.
WCT: What was it like being discovered at 17?
Andreja Pejic: I didn't think about having a modeling career at all at that point. My dream was to finish high school, transition and go to university. When I was discovered I was told that I could be a high-fashion male model. At that time it seemed like a great opportunity to see the world, gain financial stability and earn enough money to pay for my transition.
WCT: Was there jealousy amongst your peers because you were able to model both women and men's clothing, allowing you to dominate in your field from both sides of the table?
Andreja Pejic: I think I always felt a little bit like an outsider. I was living in between genders—which wasn't easy because fashion is very much divided into "male" and "female," like most of society. While sometimes difficult, it was always a very rich experience that I have grown to cherish.
WCT: But now you will only be modeling women's clothing.
Andreja Pejic: I will be modeling as a woman. This means I will be modeling women's clothes as a woman, but I will remain open to the exploration of gender and if someone wants to put me in menswear—and if it's tasteful—I wouldn't say "no." I still have the same skills as a model and I am more confident in my femininity now than ever before.
WCT: Are you ready to be a role model for the trans community?
Andreja Pejic: I hope to share my story and spread awareness about the trans experience.
WCT: What does being a role model mean to you?
Andreja Pejic: For me, a role model is someone whose actions help and improve the lives of others. It's not someone who is completely perfect or someone who should be idolized in every way, but someone who adds something progressive to this world.
For more about Andreja Pejic, visit www.andrejapejic.com .
