'It's never been "oh my god, I'm trans now"': Heartstopper's Yasmin Finney opens up about coming out as transgender at a young age, revealing that she's 'always been feminine'
Yasmin Finney has opened up about coming out as transgender at a young age, revealing she's 'always been feminine'.
The actress, 19, found fame as Elle Argent in Netflix LGBTQI+ coming-of-age drama Heartstopper and will soon star in Doctor Who.
Yasmin features on the cover of the June edition of ELLE, looking stunning as she candidly spoke about her childhood and growing up transgender.
In an interview with the magazine, she revealed: ‘I have always been feminine, whether I liked it or not. It’s never been like, “Oh my god, I’m trans now.”
'I didn’t come out as trans at that point [in primary school], but obviously I was hanging around with the girls. It’s always been a natural sort of aura.’
![Role model: Yasmin Finney, 19, candidly discussed coming out as transgender at a young age in new interview with ELLE Magazine](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/27/16/70306055-12021295-image-a-39_1682609656432.jpg)
Role model: Yasmin Finney, 19, candidly discussed coming out as transgender at a young age in new interview with ELLE Magazine
![Fame: The actress stars in Netflix's Heartstopper and will play Rose in the Doctor Who reboot from later this year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/27/16/70306263-12021295-image-a-40_1682609659210.jpg)
Fame: The actress stars in Netflix's Heartstopper and will play Rose in the Doctor Who reboot from later this year
The star said that her name and gender marker were changed by the time she went to college, and encouraged other young trans people to advocate for themselves as much as possible.
She continued: ‘Everything [her name and gender marker] was changed before I hit college. Change your name. Change it on your passport, change your gender, get diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
'The NHS is a completely broken system. I’ve been on a waiting list for eight years now. So even me, almighty trans beam of light, struggles with the system. You can’t escape it no matter who you are.’
![The June edition of ELLE magazine will be out on May 4](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/27/16/70306045-12021295-image-a-42_1682609670136.jpg)
The June edition of ELLE magazine will be out on May 4
Yasmin went on to speak about her dating life, but emphasised that embracing independence is the most powerful move a person can take.
She said: ‘The guys I go out with, dare I say it, they do get intimidated by me and I’m trying to date people my own age, so... When you have to rely on other people’s validation you’re not going to survive in this world.
'This world wasn’t built on your boyfriend buying you everything. Be your own sugar daddy!’
Yasmin's first scenes in Doctor Who are set to air this year after she was cast in the supernatural show in May 2022.
She will play the Time Lord's companion Rose, who was previously portrayed by Billie Piper alongside David Tennant, and will be joined by Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa as the doctor.
Speaking about her new role, she said: ‘I’m honoured to be a part of that universe, to be a part of that world. I grew up watching Doctor Who and being obsessed with Russell T Davies’ writing.’
But Yasmin credits Heartstopper, which launched her to fame when it first aired in 2022, for where she is today and for its representation.
She added: When I got Heartstopper, it was the first legit job, and it was a job that highlighted who I was as a trans person – what’s not to love about it?’
![Icon: The actress found fame as Elle Argent in Netflix LGBTQI+ coming-of-age drama Heartstopper](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/27/11/70295473-12020215-image-a-2_1682591104624.jpg)
Icon: The actress found fame as Elle Argent in Netflix LGBTQI+ coming-of-age drama Heartstopper
![Open: Heartstopper's Yasmin Finney admits she's 'still waiting for a role that isn't trans' as she talked representation at Netflix's See What's Next event on Wednesday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/27/11/70295469-12020215-image-a-1_1682591100620.jpg)
Open: Heartstopper's Yasmin Finney admits she's 'still waiting for a role that isn't trans' as she talked representation at Netflix's See What's Next event on Wednesday night
It comes after Yasmin admitted she's 'still waiting for a role that isn't trans' as she talked representation at Netflix's See What's Next event on Wednesday night.
She said that while she would love a non trans role she won't complain about it as if she hadn't had representation growing up she wouldn't be where she is now.
The beauty said: 'Representation is still something we're working on in this industry and I don't know if we're there yet, like I'm still waiting for my role that isn't trans - but I'm not going to complain for more trans roles.
'If I didn't have representation growing up, I probably wouldn't have thought I'd be here… but I had Laverne Cox, I had Pose.'
She also touched on what it has been like filming Heartstopper season two and if her sudden fame makes her feel more pressure.
Yasmin answered: 'It's like water off a duck's back, I'm kidding it's not. It's not easy having this overnight fame, I guess.
'But I think we're all coping and we all lean on each other. We barely hit puberty, all of the cast, but… I'm really proud of us, we're killing it.'
It comes after Heartstopper fans were sent into a frenzy on Monday as Netflix finally announced a start date for season two after weeks of cryptic hints.
![Yay! It comes after Heartstopper fans were sent into a frenzy on Monday as Netflix finally announced a start date for season two after weeks of cryptic hints](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/27/11/70173549-12020215-New_season_Heartstopper_fans_were_sent_into_a_frenzy_on_Monday_a-m-6_1682591146209.jpg)
Yay! It comes after Heartstopper fans were sent into a frenzy on Monday as Netflix finally announced a start date for season two after weeks of cryptic hints
![Cast: The show has thrust stars such as Kit Connor (Nick) and Joe Locke (Charlie) into the spotlight. L-R: William Gao, Yasmin, Kit Connor, Alice Oseman, Joe Locke, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/04/24/15/70173511-12007567-image-a-66_1682346607810.jpg)
Cast: The show has thrust stars such as Kit Connor (Nick) and Joe Locke (Charlie) into the spotlight. L-R: William Gao, Yasmin, Kit Connor, Alice Oseman, Joe Locke, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell
The first season of show was released in April 2022 to much critical acclaim, launching stars Kit Connor (Nick) and Joe Locke (Charlie) into the limelight.
Netflix has now announced that season two, which is based on the comic series by author Alice Oseman, will premiere on August 3.
Netflix said of the new episodes: 'Nick and Charlie navigate their new relationship; Tara and Darcy face unforeseen challenges; Tao and Elle work out if they can ever be more than just friends.
'Plus there's exams, a school trip to Paris, and prom!'
Yasmin shed light onto what fans can expect from her character, Elle, in the upcoming season.
She said: 'There's so many things happening with Elle this season that you're not ready for.'
In season one Elle shared a spark with her friend Tao, as fans will hope to see romance blossom between them in season two.
The June issue of ELLE UK is on sale from May 4.
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