Celebrities

‘Drag Race’ and ‘American Idol’ Alum Adore Delano Comes Out as Trans

“It’s time we have ‘the talk.'”

Adore Delano is opening up about her gender identity. In an emotional 10-minute video shared on Instagram, Delano revealed she is trans.

“There’s been a lot of talk about my body and questions about my gender going around the internet and in my comment sections and stuff,” Delano said. “But yeah I just want to explain everything that’s been happening these last few months.”

“So yeah, I wanted to let everyone know that I am transitioning,” she continued. Delano said she kept her journey pretty “hush-hush” for the first three months to experience the beginning stages of puberty on her own terms. Ultimately she is “the happiest I’ve ever been in my adult life.”

Who is Adore Delano?

Delano first rose to fame for competing on television reality shows like American Idol and RuPaul’s Drag Race. She placed second in season six of Drag Race after Bianca Del Rio. Her drag persona exudes a perfect fusion of punk rock edge and glamorous allure, setting her apart in the drag world. Beyond her drag career, she has also found success as a recording artist, releasing albums that showcase her powerful, expressive voice and songwriting prowess.

Delano shared that she decided to go sober two years ago, opting to confront her feelings rather than drown them in alcohol, which allowed her to move from dysphoria to euphoria.

“I looked at videos of myself and I would just drink my days away because these emotions that I didn’t want to deal with were on the backseat.”

Since beginning hormone therapy, Delano has experienced a new lease on life, feeling empowered and liberated in her true identity. She also shared her plans to undergo gender-affirming surgery in November and expressed her intention to take a step back from the spotlight at the beginning of 2024 to focus on her recovery.

“I’m probably going to look a little different. Not too different. But I’m, I’m gonna be moving into the euphoric parts of the book. You know, she’s a hardcover. But we’re, we’re going to be a New York bestseller with this body,” she said.

Feeling the Love

Delano then thanked her devoted followers for their endless support, which was seen in the comment section of the post. Drag Queens also flooded her comment section, praising her for her courage and congratulating her on coming out.

“My love! Congratulations! I’m so happy for you,” wrote Kornbread Jeté. “Enjoy this journey! And remember… warn ya friends that’s the mood swings are normal lol. It’s a right of passage and they should be honored to experience it.”

“I’m so happy for you could BURST,” added Drag Race judge Michelle Visage.

At the end of the video, Delano declared, “I am transgender, my pronouns moving from me not wanting to like offend anybody and be like, you can call me whatever you want. No, I’m taking the goddamn chariot right now. I’m going by she/her.”

Watch Delano’s full coming out video here.

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‘Drag Race’ and ‘American Idol’ Alum Adore Delano Comes Out as Trans

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