Drag Race star comes out as transgender in emotional post on 34th birthday
RuPaul's Drag Race star and former Drag Race Mexico host Valentina Xunaxi, who rose to fame in season nine, shared an emotional post on her 34th birthday
Former Drag Race Mexico co-host Valentina Xunaxi has come out as a transgender woman in an emotional new post shared on her 34th birthday. The stunning reality star took to her page on Instagram to share several gorgeous photos taken of her as she made the announcement.
In the photos, Valentina rocked long wavy locks, a full face of glam, a simple spaghetti strap top and black trousers. She wrote both in English and in Spanish: "Hello everyone, it's me Valentina Xunaxi. Today is my birthday. I turn 34. For some time now I've been in transition, I've been doing it privately but today I wanted to open and share with you all.
"Along the way I've felt pressure to come forward so I've decided and wanted to take today to declare myself as a transgender woman. I welcome all the love, support and protection from my dear fans. Thank you so much."
Fans and friends immediately took to the comment section to share their support for the Drag Race star, with Bianca Del Rio simply writing: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY! LOVE, NANA."
"Happy birthday beautiful!!! Love you!" Jaida Essence Hall commented. One drag queen wrote in Spanish: "Awww you are so beautiful. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVERRRRRR." Others sharing their support included Michelle Visage, Detox and Jewels Sparkles.
Others from the Drag Race community sharing their support included Amanda Tori Meating, DeJa Skye, Monet X Change, Peppermind, Farrah Moan, Shea Coulee, June Jambalaya, CoCo Montrese and Tammie Brown.
In 2019, Valentina came out as nonbinary in a chat with Out. She said at the time: "I identify as nonbinary. I don't completely feel like a man, I don't completely feel like a woman. I feel like a goddess. I feel like I'm my own gender."
That same year saw her portray Angel in Rent Live, a character some people have interpreted as being transgender or genderfluid.
She had only been doing drag for less than a year in LA night nightclubs when she was cast in season nine of RuPaul's Drag Race, which aired in 2017. In 2023, Valentina co-hosted the first season of Drag Race México.
One of Valentina's famous moments was from her original season during the elimination in episode nine to Nina Bo'Nina Brown after losing her lipsync battle to Ariana Grande's Greedy.
She was wearing a face mask as part of her look but refused to remove it for the lip syncing in a moment that went viral among fans.
Valentina landed in seventh place and won only one challenge but viewers voted her Miss Congeniality.
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