Gigi Gorgeous

Gigi Gorgeous
Lazzarato speaking at the Trans Day of Visibility celebration in San Francisco, March 2017
Born Gregory Allan Lazzarato
(1992-04-20) April 20, 1992[1]
Montréal, Québec, Canada
Residence Los Angeles, California,
United States
Other names Gigi Lazzarato
Education Iona Catholic Secondary School
Alma mater George Brown College (dropped out)
Occupation
Years active 2008–present
Agent Select Management Group (LA)
Partner(s) Nats Getty (2016-present; fiancée)

Giselle Loren Lazzarato[2] (born Gregory Allan Lazzarato;[3] April 20, 1992),[3] known professionally as Gigi Gorgeous, is a Canadian YouTuber, socialite, actress, and model.

In 2008, Lazzarato began uploading video blogs onto streaming platform YouTube. Her videos achieved popularity and established an online following for her. During the following years, she uploaded regularly to her channel along with creating and starring in the reality program The Avenue (2011–13). Following a brief hiatus, Lazzarato gained media attention after coming out as a transgender woman in 2013.[4][5] During 2014, Lazzarato documented her transition through her social media profiles, notably through her videos revolving around her cosmetic procedures, which obtained viral status. In 2016, an incident involving Lazzarato being deported from Dubai, due to her status as a transgender woman, resulted in widespread media coverage. Lazzarato was the subject of This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous (2017), a Barbara Kopple-directed documentary that followed her life during her transition. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and went on to have a limited theatrical release and several accolades including a Streamy.

Besides her personality work, Lazzarato has dabbled in acting and modeling work. Her performance credits include starring in fellow YouTuber Shane Dawson's short film I Hate Myselfie (2015) and its sequel, along with guest appearances in television series Project Runway All Stars, Me and My Grandma, Good Work, and Trailblazers, amongst others. Through modeling, she has appeared on the covers of Paper and FASHION, been featured in spreads for Galore, Kode, Refinery29, and Out. and served as a frequent muse of August Getty Atelier.

Early life

Lazzarato is the child of David, a business executive,[6] and Judith Lazzarato (née Belding). Her family consists of Italian, Lebanese, and French heritage and she was raised in the Roman Catholic faith.[1][7][8]

As a young adult, Lazzarato was a nationally ranked diving champion.[7][9][10] She attended St. Francis of Assisi School and later Mississauga's Iona Catholic Secondary School[11] and attended George Brown College. At George Brown, she studied fashion, but eventually left the college to focus on her YouTube career. Her mother, Judith, died of leukemia on February 3, 2012, at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto.[12]

Career

2008–13: Beginnings on YouTube

Prior to her transition, Lazzarato was known as Gregory or Greg, and operated a makeup tutorial YouTube channel that was started in 2008. She began her makeup channel while a ninth grader, when a friend mentioned seeing a makeup video by Michelle Phan on YouTube.[13] At the age of 19 she came out, identifying as a gay male.[14][15] Since her transition, her YouTube channel started to include more vlogs, fashion, and lifestyle videos.[16] In January 2015, her YouTube channel reached over one million subscribers and over 130 million views.[17]

2011–13: The Avenue

On January 18, 2011, Lazzarato announced The Avenue, a YouTube-based reality series that she stated she was going to star in. The show premiered on March 15 of that year on YouTube with distribution by Blip. On April 14, 2013 the show's last episode aired.

2014–16: Gender transition and appearances

Lazzarato has appeared on Project Runway: All Stars and E! Celebrity Style Story and has been featured on other YouTube celebrities' channels. She was awarded the LogoTV Trailblazing Social Creator Award in 2014 for her advocacy on behalf of LGBT youth. She frequently attends BeautyCon conventions to meet with fans and sit in on panels about makeup techniques and the cosmetics industry.[18] She modeled for designer Marco Marco, and walked in the 2014 and 2015 Marco Marco Fashion Shows.[19]

Lazzarato has used her internet celebrity status to bring awareness to transgender issues, the LGBT community, and anti-bullying.[20][21] Her image was featured in a montage of transgender celebrities in the ABC 20/20 documentary about Caitlyn Jenner's transition.[22][23]

In early 2015, Lazzarato starred in fellow YouTuber Shane Dawson's debut short film I Hate Myselfie as Amber. She said she looked to Rachel McAdams' portrayal of Regina George in Mean Girls (2004), while playing Amber. She has since reprised her role as Amber in I Hate Myselfie's sequel. In May, it was announced that Lazzarato would be partnering with Crest Canada to be the face of the new Crest 3D White Brilliance Line.

In June 2015, it was announced that Lazzarato had teamed up with singer Miley Cyrus and had joined Cyrus' Happy Hippie Foundation's Marie Claire "#InstaPride" campaign.[24] The campaign included a series of photos and an announcement by Cyrus that she and Lazzarato were working on a secret project. The project later turned out to be a spread in American magazine Marie Claire featuring them both.[25][26] Lazzarato signed a partnership with 'Too Faced Cosmetics' in which she starred in the cosmetic commercial film "Better Than Sex" which premiered on July 9, 2015. At the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards Lazzarato, along with a group of drag queens, introduced Miley Cyrus for her debut performance of Dooo It! from Cyrus's new album Miley Cyrus and her Dead Petz.

In September 2015, Lazzarato had a two-page spread in People magazine.[27] She appeared on Entertainment Tonight as a special guest that same month.[28] Lazzarato was featured in Kylie Jenner's app "Kylie" where she filmed several make up tip videos.[29] On September 18, she won the Streamy Award for "Best Beauty Series".[30] It was announced on October 7 that Lazzarato would star in Adam Lambert's video for his song "Another Lonely Night".[31][32]

2016: Dubai incident

On August 9, 2016, Lazzarato was detained in the United Arab Emirates and had her passport taken by airport officials and immigration officers at the Dubai International Airport. She was denied entry in to Dubai for being a transgender woman, as the government does not recognize her gender as legitimate even though, according to Lazzarato, the gender on her passport states female and not male. Dubai officials, however, said that the gender on her passport stated male.[33] The "imitation of women by men" is illegal in the UAE, and violators can face up to a year in jail.[34] Lazzarato was released after spending over five hours being detained.[35][36]

The "#JusticeForGigi" hashtag surfaced on Twitter, with fans and supporters calling for Lazzarato's release and a reform in anti-LGBTQ laws.[37] It was not the first time a transgender person was detained in Dubai. In 2014, two Brazilian transgender women were also detained and had their passports taken.[38] Lazzarato, before leaving Dubai for Sweden, responded to the incident by calling for equality and legal protections for LGBTQ people.[39]

2017–present: Continued success, This is Everything

In January 2017, the documentary This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous, starring Lazzarato, directed by Barbara Kopple premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.[40] On June 11, Gorgeous watched the documentary with Katy Perry on Perry's four-day livestream event, Katy Perry Live: Witness World Wide.

In June 2017, Lazzarato was named to the Time Magazine list of the 25 most influential people on the Internet.[41]

Personal life

Lazzarato, who had previously identified as bisexual,[42] came out as lesbian in a YouTube video on September 14, 2016.[43] Lazzarato is a practicing Roman Catholic and describes herself as religious.[44] Lazzarato was dating Natalia Williams, an heiress and member of the Getty family.[45] In March 2018 Lazzarato and Williams announced their engagement.[46]

Transition

Lazzarato announced that she was a transgender woman in December 2013. Since then she has undergone electrolysis, tracheal shave, hormone replacement therapy, facial feminization surgery, rhinoplasty, and breast augmentation.[47] She legally had her name changed to Gigi Loren Lazzarato on March 8, 2014.[3]

In a September 2015 issue of People Magazine, Lazzarato credited transgender model and performing artist, Amanda Lepore and her mother's death for sparking her transition.[48]

Filmography

Film

Key
dagger Indicates a film or show appearance that has not yet been released.
Year Title Role Notes Refs.
2015
 I Hate Myselfie Amber Short film [49]
Better Than Sex Gigi Short film [50]
I Hate Myselfie 2 Amber Short film [51]
2017 This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous Herself Documentary [40]

Television

Year Title Notes Refs.
2009 The Campus 7 episodes
2010 MTV'S The After Show [52]
2011–
13		 The Avenue 21 episodes
2013–
15		 Celebrity Style Story 5 episodes
2013 The Listener Episode: "The Blue Line" [49]
Project Runway All Stars Episode: "#Nina'sTrending" [49]
2014 Trailblazers Award ceremony [49]
PopSugar TV Episode: "Talks Beauty Tips and Fashion At BeautyCon LA"
2015 About Bruce TV Special
Good Work [49]
Access Hollywood 3 episodes
Daily Share [53]
MTV Video Music Award Award ceremony
Entertainment Tonight
VH1's Streamy Awards Award ceremony
FOX News 1 episode [54]
The Marco Marco Show 3 episodes
Beauty TV Episode: "Glowing with Gigi Goregous
Bro'Laska Episode: "Cory's Tips for Getting Swole"
What's Trending Episode: "Gigi Gorgeous Talks Trans Rights and LGBT Equality" [55]
Help, My Face Is Fucked! 2 episodes
PerezHiltonTV Episode: "Behind The Scenes of Gigi Gorgeous' Photoshoot"
GLSEN Respect Awards Award ceremony
2016 Gigi Gorgeous's Love Letter
American Music Awards Award ceremony
2017 Me and My Grandma Episode: "Elderboo"

Music videos

Year Title Artist Role Notes
2015 "Another Lonely Night" Adam Lambert Lead

Awards

Year Category Award Recipient Result
2014 Trailblazing Social Creator Logo TV Awards
Herself
 Won
2015 Best Beauty Series The Streamy Awards
2017 Youtuber of the Year Shorty Awards
Best Collaboration
The YouTube Factory
(alongside Dwayne Johnson, Lilly Singh, Mark Edward Fischbach, Grace Helbig, Roman Atwood, Alex Wassabi, Lauren Riihimaki, Andrew Bachelor, Flula Borg, and Brittney Smith)
 Nominated

References

  1. 1 2 Gigi Gorgeous (April 30, 2013). "✎ DRAW MY LIFE: GIGI GORGEOUS ✎" – via YouTube.
  2. ↑ Gigi Gorgeous (November 29, 2015). "SNAPCHAT Q&A: My Real Name, Being Single & MORE! - Gigi" – via YouTube.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Ontario Gazette" (PDF). 147-10. Ministry of Government Services. Queen's Printer for Ontario. March 8, 2014. p. 572. ISSN 0030-2937. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Gender Reassignment Surgery: Gigi Go rgeous Shares Her Story "I Want To Be Female" -Video – MTF Breast Augmentation forum". Realself.com. March 9, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  5. ↑ Klee, Miles (May 6, 2015). "How WCW Gigi Gorgeous has changed the trans community for the better". Dailydot.com. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  6. ↑ https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=537433&privcapId=61967803
  7. 1 2 "Is Gigi Gorgeous America's Next Top Model?". The New York Times. April 14, 2016.
  8. ↑ Kristin Tice Studeman. "Trans YouTuber Gigi Gorgeous: Friends Learned About My Transition Through My Videos". Cosmopolitan.
  9. ↑ "2007 All Star Diving Challenge Orlando Florida".
  10. ↑ "CAMO Diving Invitational Underway In Montreal – Swimming World News". December 5, 2003.
  11. ↑ "Bustle". bustle.com.
  12. ↑ "Judy Lazzarato: obituary and death notice on InMemoriam". Inmemoriam.ca. February 3, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  13. ↑ Hoyer, Melissa (September 16, 2017). "Gigi Gorgeous on the future of vlogging and why she was embarrased of her first videos". Vogue.
  14. ↑ Adam Auriemma. "'The Avenue' Star Gregory Gorgeous: Trapped in the YouTube Closet?". The Daily Beast. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  15. ↑ Simmons, Shea (June 10, 2018). "Trans Youtube Star GiGi Gorgeous Talks Transitioning, Coming Out, And The Future Of Her Beauty Vlog". Bustle.
  16. ↑ "10 Gorgeous Women (Who Were Born Male)". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Gigi Gorgeous". YouTube. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  18. ↑ "At First Blush : BeautyCon Puts on a Colorful Show With Bethany Mota, Gigi Gorgeous and Other YouTubers". The New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  19. ↑ Adam Asea (October 31, 2014). "Watch Now: The Marco Marco Show – That's A Wrap". World of Wonder. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Gigi Gorgeous- I can't wait to watch Bruce's docuseries! | Celebrity Videos". TMZ.com. August 26, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Famous Trangendered YouTuber Gigi Gorgeous Reacts to Bruce Jenner Interview | RTM". RightThisMinute. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  22. ↑ Russell, Stacey (April 29, 2015). "YouTube Star Gigi Gorgeous on Beauty, Boys, and Bruce Jenner". Miami New Times. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Gigi Gorgeous on Access Hollywood, More | SELECT". Select.co. May 3, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  24. ↑ July Favorites 2015 + Marie Claire Magazine! - Gigi. YouTube. July 30, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Instagram". Instagram.
  26. ↑ Samantha Leal. "Gigi Gorgeous Marie Claire September 2015 Cover". Marie Claire.
  27. ↑ "Instagram". Instagram.
  28. ↑ "Gigi Gorgeous Talks Miley Cyrus, Kylie Jenner and Collab-ing With Britney Spears!". Entertainment Tonight. September 11, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Gigi Gorgeous to the Rescue: Under-Eye Concealer". Kylie. September 11, 2015.
  30. ↑ Gigi Gorgeous Wins Best Beauty Series – The Streamy Awards – VH1. YouTube. September 17, 2015.
  31. ↑ Lambert, Adam (October 6, 2015). Adam Lambert – Another Lonely Night [Music Video Teaser]. Adam Lambert's official YouTube channel. YouTube. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  32. ↑ Nissim, Mayer (October 7, 2015). "See trans YouTube superstar Gigi Gorgeous in the teaser for Adam Lambert's new video". Digital Spy. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Gigi Gorgeous detained at Dubai airport for being transgender".
  34. ↑ "Dubai Airport Officials Detained Gigi Gorgeous Because She's Trans". August 10, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Gigi Gorgeous Was Held In A Dubai Airport For Being Transgender".
  36. ↑ "Model Gigi Gorgeous Detained at Dubai Airport for Being Transgender: 'One of the Scariest Moments of My Life'".
  37. ↑ "#JusticeForGigi hashtag on Twitter".
  38. ↑ Director, Cavan Sieczkowski Deputy; News; Analytics (August 10, 2016). "YouTube Star Was Allegedly Detained In Dubai Airport Because She's Trans".
  39. ↑ "Gigi Gorgeous Detained in Dubai for Being Transgender".
  40. 1 2 Harvey, Dennis (January 31, 2017). "Sundance Film Review: 'This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous'". Variety. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  41. ↑ "The 25 Most Influential People on the Internet". Time Magazine. June 26, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  42. ↑ Gigi Gorgeous (July 15, 2015). "SNAPCHAT Q&A: Dating, My Bisexuality & MORE! - Gigi" – via YouTube.
  43. ↑ Gigi Gorgeous (September 14, 2016). "I'm a Lesbian – Gigi" – via YouTube.
  44. ↑ Gigi Gorgeous (August 15, 2014). "Q&A: Life, Death & SEX! (with TRISHA PAYTAS) – Gigi" – via YouTube.
  45. ↑ "Who Is Nats Getty: The Billionaire Oil Heiress Dating Gigi Gorgeous". September 19, 2016.
  46. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/celebrity-couples/a19430160/gigi-gorgeous-engaged-nats-getty-engagement-ring/
  47. ↑ "From Gregory to Gigi, but Always Gorgeous | The Odyssey". Theodysseyonline.com. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  48. ↑ "Transgender YouTube Star Gigi Gorgeous: How My Mom's Death Inspired Me to Transition". People Magazine. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  49. 1 2 3 4 5 Gigi Gorgeous on IMDb
  50. ↑ BETTER THAN SEX – Gigi. YouTube. July 7, 2015.
  51. ↑ "Instagram". Instagram.
  52. ↑ Gregory Gorgeous on MTV's The After Show. YouTube. January 20, 2010.
  53. ↑ Gigi Gorgeous Off Youtube And On My TV 062515. YouTube. July 1, 2015.
  54. ↑ "Instagram post by GIGI GORGEOUS 👸🏼 • Oct 15, 2015 at 12:50am UTC". Instagram.
  55. ↑ Gigi Gorgeous Talks Trans Rights and LGBT Equality – VidCon 2015. YouTube. August 2, 2015.
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