5 People Share How Their Struggles Have Shaped Their Outlook On Life And Business

Meet five people who share how their struggles have shaped their outlook on life and business with Sandhya Mahadevan.

- Sandhya Mahadevan

IN METAMORPHOSIS

Andrea Razali never considered herself to be a female model or a pageant queen when she was an overweight boy. Though she had discovered her feminine side at a young age, the idea that she was a woman in a man’s body was unimaginable.

While fantasising about being a woman, it was easier to identify as a homosexual. Tuning in to America’s Next Top Model on TV would transport her to that happy place. “I would sneak into my mum’s closet when she wasn’t home, try on her heels and scarves, and pretend I was at a photo shoot using my dad’s digicam,” she laughs.

Almost nine years ago, she transitioned into a woman after being introduced to the transworld by a gay friend in Australia. Since then, she’s graced the covers of local fashion rags and was Miss International Queen 2020 — the trans equivalent of Miss Universe.

Today, the transgender and LGBT rights advocate works to raise awareness of the transgender community and encourage her peers to “live their truth”. She is also pursuing a psychology course so she can help the community.

“The fashion industry has become a lot more open to non-binary and transgender models. Now, diversity is a powerful message. It’s so beautiful that uniqueness is celebrated,” says Andrea.

Though Andrea's parents come from a traditional Muslim background, they have gradually come to accept her. “I don't blame them because they come from a society where religion is strong, and everything is explained with religion,” she adds.