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Gigi Gorgeous

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Gigi Gorgeous
Born
Gregory Allan Lazzarato

(1992-04-20) April 20, 1992 (age 32)[1]
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
EducationIona Catholic Secondary School
Alma materGeorge Brown College
Occupation(s)YouTube personality, model, actress
Years active2008–present
Agent(s)Select Management Group, Los Angeles
Parent(s)Judith Belding, David Lazzarato

Giselle Loren Lazzarato[3][4] (born Gregory Allan Lazzarato on April 20, 1992), better known as Gigi Gorgeous,[5] is a Canadian model, actress and internet personality. She is noted for publicly coming out as a transgender woman, and maintaining her public image and YouTube channel during and after her transition.[6][7] Along with being an internet personality, Lazzarato has also appeared on a number of television shows including Access Hollywood, Good Work, and Project Runway: All Stars, along with starring as herself in the popular online reality show The Avenue for three years. Lazzarato made her acting debut in 2013 on The Insider and has since gone on to star in three short films.

Early life

Lazzarato is the child of David and Judith Lazzarato (née Belding). She was assigned male at birth. Her family consists of Italian, Lebanese and French heritage and she was raised in the Roman Catholic faith.[1][2][8]

As a young adult, Lazzarato was a nationally ranked diving champion.[2][9][10] She attended St. Francis of Assisi School and later Iona Catholic Secondary School[11] and attended George Brown College. At George Brown, she studied fashion, but eventually left the college to focus on her YouTube career. Her mother, Judith, died of leukemia on February 3, 2012, at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto.[12]

Career

2008–14: career beginnings

Prior to her transition, Lazzarato was known as Gregory or Greg, and operated a makeup tutorial YouTube channel that was started in 2008. At the time, she identified as a gay male.[13] Since her transition, her YouTube channel started to include more vlogs, fashion, and lifestyle videos.[14] In January 2015, her YouTube channel reached over one million subscribers and over 130 million views.[15]

Lazzarato has appeared on Project Runway: All Stars and E! Celebrity Style Story and has been featured on other YouTube celebrity's channels. She was awarded the LogoTV Trailblazing Social Creator Award in 2014 for her advocacy on behalf of LGBT youth. She frequently attends BeautyCon conventions to meet with fans and sit in on panels about makeup techniques and the cosmetics industry.[16] She modeled for designer Marco Marco, and walked in the 2014 and 2015 Marco Marco Fashion Shows.[17]

2015–present: breakthrough and film career

Lazzarato has used her internet celebrity status to bring awareness to transgender issues, the LGBT community, and anti-bullying.[18][19] Her image was featured in a montage of transgender celebrities in the ABC 20/20 documentary about Caitlyn Jenner's transition.[20][21]

In early 2015, Lazzarato starred in fellow YouTuber Shane Dawson's debut short film "I Hate Myselfie" as Amber. She said she looked to Rachel McAdams' portrayal of Regina George while playing Amber. She has since reprised her role as Amber in I Hate Myselfie's sequel.[citation needed] In May, it was announced that Lazzarato would be partnering with Crest Canada to be the face of the new Crest 3D White Brilliance Line.[citation needed]

In June 2015, it was announced that Lazzarato had teamed up with singer Miley Cyrus and had joined Cyrus' Happy Hippie Foundation's Marie Claire "#InstaPride" campaign.[22] The campaign included a series of photos and an announcement by Cyrus that she and Lazzarato were working on a secret project. The project later turned out to be a spread in American magazine Marie Claire featuring them both.[23][24] Lazzarato signed a partnership with 'Too Faced Cosmetics' in which she starred in the cosmetic commercial film "Better Than Sex" which premiered on July 9, 2015. At the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards Lazzarato, along with a group of drag queens, introduced Miley Cyrus for her debut performance of Dooo It! from Cyrus's new album Miley Cyrus and her Dead Petz.

In September, 2015, Lazzarato had a two-page spread in People magazine.[25] She appeared on Entertainment Tonight as a special guest that same month.[26] Lazzarato was featured in Kylie Jenner's app "Kylie" where she filmed several make up tip videos.[27] On September 18, she won the Streamy Award for "Best Beauty Series".[28] It was announced on October 7 that Lazzarato would star in Adam Lambert's video for his song "Another Lonely Night".[29][30]

Personal life

Lazzarato, who had previously identified herself as bisexual,[31] came out as lesbian in a YouTube video on September 14, 2016.[32] Lazzarato is a practicing Roman Catholic and describes herself as "religious".[33]

Transition

Lazzarato announced that she was a transgender woman in December 2013. Since then she has undergone electrolysis, tracheal shave, hormone replacement therapy, facial feminization surgery, rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation.[34] She legally had her name changed to Gigi Loren Lazzarato on March 8, 2014.[5]

In a September 2015 issue of People Magazine, Lazzarato credited transgender model and performing artist, Amanda Lepore and her mother's death for sparking her transition.[35]

Dubai deportation

On 9 August 2016, Lazzarato was detained in the United Arab Emirates and had her passport taken by airport officials and immigration officers at the Dubai International Airport. She was denied entry in to Dubai for being a transgender woman, as the government does not recognize her gender as legitimate even though, according to Lazzarato, the gender on her passport states female.[citation needed] Dubai officials said that the gender on her passport stated male.[36] The "imitation of women by men" is illegal in the UAEi, and violators can face up to a year in jail.[37] Lazzarato was released after spending over five hours being detained.[38][39] The "#JusticeForGigi" hashtag surfaced on Twitter, with fans and supporters calling for Lazzarato's release and a reform in anti-LGBTQ laws.[40] It was not the first time a transgender person was detained in Dubai. In 2014, two Brazilian transgender women were also detained and had their passports taken.[41] Lazzarato, before leaving Dubai for Sweden, responded to the incident by calling for equality and legal protections for LGBTQ people.[42]

Filmography

Film

Key
† Indicates a film or show appearance that has not yet been released.
Title Year Role Director(s) Notes Refs.
I Hate Myselfie
2015
 Amber Michael J. Gallagher Short film [43]
Better Than Sex Gigi Short film [44]
I Hate Myselfie 2 Amber Michael J. Gallagher Short film [45]

Television

Year Title Notes Refs.
2009 The Campus 7 episodes
2010 MTV'S The After Show [46]
2011–
13 		The Avenue 21 episodes
2013–
15 		Celebrity Style Story 5 episodes
2013 The Listener Episode: "The Blue Line" [43]
Project Runway All Stars Episode: "#Nina'sTrending" [43]
2014 Trailblazers Award ceremony [43]
Shane and Friends Episode: "Gigi Gorgeous"
PopSugar TV Episode: "Talks Beauty Tips and Fashion At BeautyCon LA"
2015 About Bruce TV Special
Good Work [43]
Access Hollywood 3 episodes
Daily Share [47]
MTV Video Music Award Award ceremony
Entertainment Tonight
VH1's Streamy Awards Award ceremony
FOX News 1 episode [48]
The Marco Marco Show 3 episodes
Beauty TV Episode: "Glowing with Gigi Goregous
Bro'Laska Episode: "Cory's Tips for Getting Swole"
What's Trending Episode: "Gigi Gorgeous Talks Trans Rights and LGBT Equality" [49]
Help, My Face Is Fucked! 2 episodes
PerezHiltonTV Episode: "Behind The Scenes of Gigi Gorgeous' Photoshoot"
GLSEN Respect Awards Award ceremony
2016 Gigi Gorgeous's Love Letter
2016 "American Music Awards" Award ceremony

Music videos

Year Title Artist Role Notes
2015 "Another Lonely Night" Adam Lambert Lead

Awards

Year Category Award Recipient Result
2014 Trailblazing Social Creator Logo TV Awards
Herself
 Won
2015 Best Beauty Series The Streamy Awards

References

  1. ^ a b Gigi Gorgeous (30 April 2013). "✎ DRAW MY LIFE: GIGI GORGEOUS ✎" – via YouTube.
  2. ^ a b c "Is Gigi Gorgeous America's Next Top Model?". The New York Times. 14 April 2016.
  3. ^ http://www.prweek.com/article/1381610/new-influencers-giselle-loren-lazzarato-gigi-gorgeous
  4. ^ http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/gigi-gorgeous-detained-in-dubai-for-being-transgender-w433698
  5. ^ a b Ontario.ca
  6. ^ "Gender Reassignment Surgery: Gigi Gorgeous Shares Her Story "I Want To Be Female" -Video - MTF Breast Augmentation forum". Realself.com. 2015-03-09. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  7. ^ Klee, Miles (2015-05-06). "How WCW Gigi Gorgeous has changed the trans community for the better". Dailydot.com. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  8. ^ Kristin Tice Studeman. "Trans YouTuber Gigi Gorgeous: Friends Learned About My Transition Through My Videos". Cosmopolitan.
  9. ^ "2007 All Star Diving Challenge Orlando Florida".
  10. ^ "CAMO Diving Invitational Underway In Montreal - Swimming World News". 5 December 2003.
  11. ^ "Bustle". bustle.com.
  12. ^ "Judy Lazzarato: obituary and death notice on InMemoriam". Inmemoriam.ca. 2012-02-03. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  13. ^ Adam Auriemma. "'The Avenue' Star Gregory Gorgeous: Trapped in the YouTube Closet?". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  14. ^ "10 Gorgeous Women (Who Were Born Male)". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  15. ^ "Gigi Gorgeous". YouTube. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  16. ^ "At First Blush : BeautyCon Puts on a Colorful Show With Bethany Mota, Gigi Gorgeous and Other YouTubers". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  17. ^ Adam Asea (2014-10-31). "Watch Now: The Marco Marco Show – That's A Wrap". World of Wonder. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  18. ^ "Gigi Gorgeous- I can't wait to watch Bruce's docuseries! | Celebrity Videos". TMZ.com. 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  19. ^ "Famous Trangendered YouTuber Gigi Gorgeous Reacts to Bruce Jenner Interview | RTM". RightThisMinute. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  20. ^ Russell, Stacey (2015-04-29). "YouTube Star Gigi Gorgeous on Beauty, Boys, and Bruce Jenner". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  21. ^ "Gigi Gorgeous on Access Hollywood, More | SELECT". Select.co. 2015-05-03. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  22. ^ July Favorites 2015 + Marie Claire Magazine! - Gigi. YouTube. 30 July 2015.
  23. ^ "Instagram". Instagram.
  24. ^ Samantha Leal. "Gigi Gorgeous Marie Claire September 2015 Cover". Marie Claire.
  25. ^ "Instagram". Instagram.
  26. ^ "Gigi Gorgeous Talks Miley Cyrus, Kylie Jenner and Collab-ing With Britney Spears!". Entertainment Tonight. 11 September 2015.
  27. ^ "Gigi Gorgeous to the Rescue: Under-Eye Concealer". Kylie. 11 September 2015.
  28. ^ Gigi Gorgeous Wins Best Beauty Series - The Streamy Awards - VH1. YouTube. 17 September 2015.
  29. ^ Lambert, Adam (6 October 2015). Adam Lambert - Another Lonely Night [Music Video Teaser]. Adam Lambert's official YouTube channel. YouTube. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  30. ^ Nissim, Mayer (7 October 2015). "See trans YouTube superstar Gigi Gorgeous in the teaser for Adam Lambert's new video". Digital Spy. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  31. ^ Gigi Gorgeous (15 July 2015). "SNAPCHAT Q&A: Dating, My Bisexuality & MORE! - Gigi" – via YouTube.
  32. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HclVrFsAnY
  33. ^ Gigi Gorgeous (15 August 2014). "Q&A: Life, Death & SEX! (with TRISHA PAYTAS) - Gigi" – via YouTube.
  34. ^ "From Gregory to Gigi, but Always Gorgeous | The Odyssey". Theodysseyonline.com. Retrieved 2015-05-20.
  35. ^ "Transgender YouTube Star Gigi Gorgeous: How My Mom's Death Inspired Me to Transition". People Magazine. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  36. ^ "Gigi Gorgeous detained at Dubai airport for being transgender".
  37. ^ "Dubai Airport Officials Detained Gigi Gorgeous Because She's Trans". 10 August 2016.
  38. ^ "Gigi Gorgeous Was Held In A Dubai Airport For Being Transgender".
  39. ^ "Model Gigi Gorgeous Detained at Dubai Airport for Being Transgender: 'One of the Scariest Moments of My Life'".
  40. ^ "#JusticeForGigi hashtag on Twitter".
  41. ^ Director, Cavan Sieczkowski Deputy; News; Analytics (10 August 2016). "YouTube Star Was Allegedly Detained In Dubai Airport Because She's Trans". {{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  42. ^ "Gigi Gorgeous Detained in Dubai for Being Transgender".
  43. ^ a b c d e Gigi Gorgeous at IMDb
  44. ^ BETTER THAN SEX - Gigi. YouTube. 7 July 2015.
  45. ^ "Instagram". Instagram.
  46. ^ Gregory Gorgeous on MTV's The After Show. YouTube. 20 January 2010.
  47. ^ Gigi Gorgeous Off Youtube And On My TV 062515. YouTube. 1 July 2015.
  48. ^ "Instagram photo by GIGI GORGEOUS 👸🏼 • Oct 15, 2015 at 12:50am UTC".
  49. ^ Gigi Gorgeous Talks Trans Rights and LGBT Equality - VidCon 2015. YouTube. 2 August 2015.
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