Valentina, Star of RuPaul’s Drag Race and Rent: Live, Comes Out as Trans After Feeling ‘Pressure to Come Forward’

Valentina is sharing her truth.

The RuPaul’s Drag Race alum rang in her 34th birthday on May 14 by coming out as transgender in an emotional Instagram post. 

“Hello everyone, it’s me Valentina Xunaxi. Today is my bday. I turn 34,” she wrote alongside several snapshots of herself in a white tank top. “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,” she continued. 

“I welcome all the love, support and protection from my dear fans. Thank you so much 🏳️‍⚧️💕” she concluded.

Following her announcement, Valentina was showered with love in the comment section.

“Happy birthday beautiful!!! Love you!” Drag Race season 12 winner Jaida Essence Hall wrote and Bianca Del Rio added, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY! LOVE, NANA.”

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RuPaul’s Drag Race fans were first introduced to Valentina on season 9 of the hit MTV series. Although she was eliminated, she won that season’s Miss Congeniality contest.

Valentina went on to appear on All Stars 4 in December 2018, where she came in sixth place.

She later starred as Angel Dumott Schunard, the HIV-positive drag queen, in Fox’s Rent: Live in 2019 alongside Vanessa Hudgens, Jordan Fisher, Brennin Hunt, Tinashe, Brandon Victor Dixon, Kiersey Clemons and Mario.

That year, Valentina also came out as nonbinary and reflected on role as Angel.

“I identify as nonbinary,” she told Out at the time. “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.”

She explained how she brought her identity to the character of Angel, saying, “I get to bring that aspect to my Angel character and really have an idea of like, ‘Why is she so happy and so confident in her armor, in her drag?’ ”

“I do take the responsibility of being a gay nonbinary drag queen person taking on a really important iconic role like Angel and I hope [audiences] tune in for it,” she added.