Transgender beauty queen planning for reality TV show

Jenna Talackova fought Donald Trump for right to compete in Miss Universe

CBC News

Posted: Jan 2, 2013 12:36 PM ET

Last Updated: Jan 2, 2013 12:21 PM ET

Transgender beauty queen Jenna Talackova is shown in the Miss Universe Canada pageant in May 2012. She says she has embraced her role as a touchstone for gender equality. (Chris Young/Canadian Press)

Jenna Talackova, the transgender beauty queen who fought Donald Trump in 2012 for the right to compete in the Miss Universe Canada pageant, plans to star in a reality TV show in 2013.

The Vancouver native says she cannot reveal details of the show, including the network involved, but that she’s in the final stages of signing a deal.

"It's a reality show following me around a bunch of activities in my life," Talackova told Canadian Press.

"I've been saving things for this TV show. I'll be going to Korea, I'm going to be judging a pageant...It's going to be following me and giving Canada and the world an eye into my life."

A Shaw Media employee first spoke about a reality show featuring the 24-year-old blonde after the pageant in May 2012. Shaw later denied it had committed to such a show.

Talackova says she expects her reality TV debut before the end of 2013.

Talackova was born male and underwent sexual reassignment surgery at age 19. Miss Universe organizer Trump had originally barred from taking part in the pageant, but she was able to rally international support for the right to compete.

After Trump relented and allowed her into Miss Universe Canada, Talackova made it to the top 12 and took home one of four Miss Congeniality prizes. She made international headlines as the first transgendered competitor.

Talackova says she embraces her role as a touchstone for gender equality but dislikes the term “transgender,” preferring to think of herself as a normal woman.

"There's millions of us that are absolutely normal...and do amazing things daily like everyone else," she said. "There's no difference. Some people just have to go through different paths, and that path doesn't have to judge their present person or their future."

Talackova led Vancouver's Gay Pride parade in 2012. She says she is currently single.

With files from The Canadian Press

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