Tonight, an eagerly anticipated interview with Bruce Jenner will air on ABC. The world-class athlete sits down with Diane Sawyer, and reports state that he is going to address his upcoming gender reassignment. Numerous sources have been giving small sneak peeks into what promises to be a riveting two-hour special.
Sources claim that Jenner will reveal his lifelong struggle with his gender identity, and that he will share with viewers his previous attempts to transition into being a woman. In fact, sources close to Jenner have stated that he tried to shift genders way back in the 1980s after reading Renee Richards’ book, Second Serve. Richards became the first mainstream celebrity to undergo gender reassignment surgery when she transitioned into being a woman in 1975. She then went on to detail her struggles to be accepted to compete as a woman in the U.S. Open.
Jenner was reportedly so impressed with Richards’ journey that he had facial feminization surgery and began taking female hormones in the late 80s. However, reports state that when he met his now ex-wife Kris around 1990, all of Jenner’s efforts to transition stopped completely.
Audience members who watch tonight’s show are also expected to hear about how Jenner’s gender identity has impacted his life and relationships. There is intense speculation that Jenner may reveal his new look by appearing as a woman during some portion of the interview. Earlier this week, the New York Daily News printed a photo of Jenner wearing a long, blue and white striped dress as he stood on the deck of his home smoking a cigarette. However, the same photo, previously published on the paper’s website, has now been removed, and reports are coming in that police are searching for the photogs that took it.
Since Jenner is now feeling comfortable wearing women’s clothes while on his deck, some say he may use the interview opportunity to finally introduce his authentic self to the public. Promos for the show have been vague, and there has been no confirmation of exactly how Jenner will appear, but some fans are expecting to become acquainted with the real Bruce Jenner tonight.
Through all of this conversation and speculation, there has been some commentary from media members stating that the press should leave Jenner alone and that any discussion of his transition is inappropriate. However, it seems that Jenner’s true wishes are to put himself forward for such commentary by purposely appearing on a two hour show that will be watched by millions.
The Bruce Jenner interview with Diane Sawyer airs Friday April 24 at 9:00 p.m. EST on ABC. As Jenner says, it promises to be “an emotional roller coaster.”
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