Transgender Project Runway finalist Andy South debuts identity as a …

June 27, 2012 by admin
Filed under Choosing Lingerie

By
Victoria Wellman

PUBLISHED:

08:57 EST, 26 June 2012

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UPDATED:

13:16 EST, 26 June 2012

Project Runway favourite Andy South who made it to the finale of Season 8 of the hit show, is now living as a woman.

The Waianae, Hawaii native who was 23 at the time of appearing on the fashion reality show in 2010, has changed his Facebook page profile to ‘female’ and has added his new name in parenthesis.

Now 25 and returning to his cultural roots with a new moniker, Nong Ariyaphon Southiphong, that incorporates his family’s last name, the talented designer has already posted plenty of photographs of his striking new look.

Project Runway finalist Andy South is now known as Nong

Transformation: Andy South (left) was an openly gay fashion designer when he appeared on Project Runway’s eighth season in 2010 and is now living as a woman named Nong Ariyaphon Southiphong (right)

Though details as to the extent of any surgery is unknown, Nong very definitely looks every inch a woman.

Long, dark hair cascades down her narrow back, and once delicate male features lend themselves well to her newly accentuated femininity.

Known for avoiding the behind-the-scenes drama while competing in the television show and always remaining soft-spoken and polite, Nong’s gender transformation seems to have taken place with her trademark modesty.

Photographs of the slender-framed and statuesque designer as a woman appear to have been posted as early as March on her Facebook page with no great announcement.

Transition: A thin Andy South poses with a friend in what could be the midst of his transformation into a woman

Cocktails with the ladies: Nong (third from left) has been a woman for quite a few months already choosing not to make a big show of her transformation on Facebook

But in an interview in February with Hawaii’s Expression Magazine, Nong had already made her debut into the world.

‘People who are close to me know who I am and I have continued to receive support, especially from my mom who is still by my side every step of the way,’ she told the magazine of her transformation, adding: ‘She is my role model and I learned everything I know by observing her strength as a woman.’

Glamour queen: The Project Runway star has taken on his family’s name Southiphong for his new moniker

On Facebook, a subtle acknowledgement was made on June 10 according to Radar Online in which she stated: ‘Much has changed in a year. And much has not. Love my cousin and sister. A year of intense growth shared.’

Nong has seemingly taken any pointing and whispering calmly in her stride. At the March launch of her Andy South collection for Neiman Marcus in Honolulu, she told Expression: ‘There was girl who turned to her boyfriend and said, “that’s a guy”.

And the verdict is…: Andy South and his models await the judges’ comments on Project Runway in the weeks leading up to the finale

‘It didn’t bother me too much, these are real situations and I accept that it’s a part of my transition. Besides, I saw her boyfriend looking at my butt.’

Nong has also posted a grateful message to her supporters along the way.

On June 3 she allegedly wrote: ‘Thank you to my fans and friends who have supported me all the way. To my family for seeing me for me and for all the love I am surrounded with.

‘I am blessed to be so accepted and welcomed just the way I am. May that love flow through me and onto many others. Live in love for the world needs it.’