Transsexual pornographic film actress Yasmin Lee, who played the role of transsexual stripper-hooker Kimmy in The Hangover: Part II, has caused a bit of a stir about whether or not her character was a positive portrayal or a symptom of American transphobia (and I certainly had a few concerns of my own to reconcile).
The ongoing debate at Queerty was eventually participated in by none other than Ms. Lee herself, and I decided to take her up on her gracious offer: If you need further help in understanding this complicated world you can always look me up on facebook.
How did you get involved in the Hangover: Part II, and how respectful were they of your identity?
The studio found me on IMDb as the lead for an indie horror flick, Red Ice, where I played the Succubus. They sent me a message asking if I would be interested in coming in to audition. [By the third round of auditions,] they were flying in girls from all over the world just to read for the part, and I got pretty nervous. I realized that this scene must be really important if they’re going to invest all that money just for the audition. I went in thinking Okay, just be me. When I went in and saw the director, Todd Phillips, sitting on the leather couch in his casual plaid shirt, shorts and sandals, I was thinking Wow, he’s really hot. He also had his golden retriever in the room which made me feel like I was in a Ralph Lauren ad. After various readings from comic pacing to different accents, he and the casting director assured me I did an amazing job. Todd Phillips asked me if I acted full time, what I did for a living. Without hesitation, I said “I’m one of the top transsexual porn stars in the entire universe, specializing in spanking naughty boys.” I don’t know what was going through my head.
He kinda said wow and thanked me right away for telling the truth, and that they weren’t expecting that. The whole process was very much a fish out of water experience for me, but they made me feel very comfortable. Though after revealing what I do for a living I thought that there’s no way I would get the part. As I was walking out, I jokingly said “This reading would have been a lot easier if the director wasn’t hot, it’s such a distraction. I don’t appreciate it,” and smiled. Weeks later, the director himself called me and said that I got the part, but to act surprised when casting called to tell me officially. We had a very intimate talk about the TS community and our struggles. I could tell he sincerely cares.
Millions are going to see your performance. Do you feel the character Kimmy was a fair portrayal of transsexuals? And as a follow-up, you’ve mentioned in the past that 9 out of 10 transwomen are in the sex industry. Could you clarify that? I think there are many people in Western nations who find that hard to understand.
In my personal opinion, and by the way I was born in Thailand, I think that Kimmy is a very fair portrayal of a transsexual woman. Does she represent all transgender people of the world? No. Anyone that has gone to Thailand would agree that among the 300,000 transsexuals living in Bangkok, there are many who are working in the mainstream and are more accepted there than anywhere else in the world. But the majority of Thai transsexuals are sex workers. There are clubs after clubs of Go-Go dancing transgender women. Actually, it’s a very big part of Thailand’s economy, and these girls are loved, accepted and acknowledged by the people, the government, and the media.
What do you have to say to people who accuse you of being a man or a transvestite because you have a penis?
Anyone who accuses me of being a man or transvestite because of my genitals do so out of hatefulness, or in most cases pure ignorance. They’re simply not educated about our community. We are not the norm and people don’t run into TS women on a regular basis. People fear stuff that they don’t relate to or understand, but I find that most people will at least listen. This is the opportunity for you to engage and change someone’s opinion. Maybe they will learn and maybe they won’t just yet, but they never will if the opportunity doesn’t present itself. I know sometimes we feel rage and anger when we feel we are misrepresented or mistreated, but lashing back is never a good way to represent ourselves. I, too, have made this mistake in the past. We really have to take the opportunity to be educators.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
In final thoughts, I had an amazing time hanging with all the boys and the crew. Everyone from the lighting guy to my people for hair, make-up, and wardrobe assistance, to the studio big fish treated me with love and respect. As a matter of fact, though I’m a very proud transsexual woman I didn’t feel like I was one on-set. I was there simply as an actress and they treated me as such. Not for one second did my gender become an issue. Can’t say the same for Crystal the monkey. She had to play the part as a male monkey but did so fiercely.
I feel that this movie has done a great deal for the GLBT community in terms of exposure. The role of Kimmy was never meant to be a role model, or someone that represents the community as a whole. For me it was a means of income as well as an opportunity to shed light on who I am, and more importantly our community and our struggle for equality. With all the hype and talk about my controversial scene, it will lead to open discussion and then even more opportunities to educate.
Photos courtesy of Ms. Lee and F&G Photography.
w/luv,
M
M – this was a wonderful interview. I read Yasmin’s comments over on the Queerty site and some of the internalized hate there just really gets me. How can any of them like us if we hate ourselves so damn much?
It’s good to see that Yasmin has such a good head on her shoulders and approached this with forethought and consideration. Thanks for this interview (to both of you!!!)
I admire the Lady, her manner of thinking, her attitude also counts and her responses to the questions are modest and down to earth.
I love her personality. I feel warm, outgoing and uplifting from her. I would spend the money for her work.
If you do a little internet searching, Brad, you can find her work for free.
Although millions of people will see the movie. Most I’m sure will not be wise and open minded as we would like. I feel that interviews like this will help educate them to the transgendered world. They will hopefully open up their eyes to the hardships, heartaches, and hatefulness the community has to go through. I’m a close personal friend of Yasmin Lee, and she is by far one of the most open, intelligent and wonderful people I’m very proud to know. If the movie opens up controversy I say that’s great, because if the Hangover II didn’t have the part of Kimmy in it the world would still have it’s eyes closed to the transgendered community. I’m extremely proud of Yasmin Lee. What I see is a positive step in the recognition of the TG community, and we owe her a big thank you and many kudos.
Scott, do you know if Yasmin still escorts on Eros.com? I searched but couldn’t find her ad. Is she too big now to give average guys with limited funds a shot at being with her?
I dont think its because shes to big now I think its because she doesnt have the extra time and escorting does take a lot out of you if your beautiful and talented; Im speaking for myself. Some girls move on in life so stay in the business forever…. xoxo TS CAROLINA JENNIFER
I agree with Scott. I’m also privileged to know Yasmin personally, for several years, and she truly is an intelligent and caring person. Just after “Hangover II” was released, I saw her at one of our clubs, and she went out of her way to walk up to greet me. Given her recent “celebrity” status, you’d expect it would be the other way around, but this just shows how genuine and unpretenious Yasmin Lee is!
Me encantas estas divina soy como tu transexual y admiro tu capacidad de enfrentar lavida .
Cordially katty
porn! is gay!?
errr
her dick stinks!!!!!!!
I can see why your name is Bimbo!!!!
yea of roses or sumthin like that. tellin ya i wud luv to be with her xxx
I haven’t seen Hangover 2 yet, but have seen many of Yazmine’s movies. I lived in Bangkok and Pattaya Thailand (the land of smiles) for 8 months. ‘Fantastic, and as she said, there are “ladyboys” everywhere and are treated with more respect than most places in the world (I’ve traveled quite a bit). The Thai people, being Theravada Buddhist, are extraordinarily tolerant.
very interesting intreview, too bad the world knows so little about transexual peoples perspective and how accepted they feel (including me) defienetly going to do more research about that :)
Yasmine is great looking, but if people who are not familiar with the TS community see her as “typical” then they may be surprised to learn that we are not all hung like stallions, as Yasmine so famously hung. She is also a top. It used to be that most TS girls were passive, but it seems the trend now seems to be more are quite erect and aggressive. Perhaps this is due to the acceptance of beauties like Yasmine, as truly attractive by straight white men.
She is beautiful, i am completely strait but i would let her do me in the ass and i would gladly suck that penis…
haha well your not 100% “strait” then are youy steven lad
Steve’s comment is evidence of the power of beauty. When someone is as beautiful as Yasmin, many straight guys can overlook what kind of extras are included. She is so feminine and so beautiful that most straight guys can’t see any masculinity and will accept her as female. She is a very positive rep.of the community.
Hiya very nice blog!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally?I’m happy to search out a lot of useful information here within the post, we’d like develop more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
I personally want to say that I think this lady is absolutely beautiful inside and out. Real TS girls go through a lot hardships and heartaches to become who we are…. in response to NEMO I dont think it has anything to do with guys and limited funds its only because her life has taken a different direction and she doesnt have the extra time; Im only speaking for myself escorting is a very difficult job although guys dont look at us the same and some look down on it…. WE the “girls” only do it to help gentleman that want to explore a fantasy. I myself have been on and off the market and am currently finishing college and plan to take myself completely off the market again within the next few years. Best of luck to all of you….. Its a Big World so EXPLORE AWAY! xoxo TS Carolina Jennifer
where r u going to school? just curious
[...] Other interesting things to me about the nominations are the slew of Crossover nominations, which includes Yasmin Lee who performed in Hangover 2. I haven’t seen the film yet, but I’m interested in it specifically to see her performance. You can read an interview with her about the role on translabyrinth.com. [...]
wonderfull, and i think shes a beautifull women. she seems like a very caring and loving person, and a very smart and funny one at that. i would love to meet her and have a drink with her. she is a great actress and i hope she sees much success. a great movie, great scene, and just great all around.
I wishI was your slave
Out of all this am I the only one who thought her Monkey comment was Hilarious???
i think that she is incredibly beautiful and a wonderful person. i hope i get the chance to meet her one day. does anyone know if she’s interested in meeting a military man?
I simply wanted to appreciate you once more. I am not sure the things that I could possibly have followed without those techniques discussed by you concerning this field. It seemed to be a horrifying circumstance in my circumstances, however , looking at a expert tactic you dealt with that forced me to weep for delight. Extremely happier for the advice and as well , wish you realize what an amazing job you are always putting in educating the others by way of a blog. Probably you haven’t got to know all of us.
I really love your art. Glad to see other transgirls out there having success.
i love you yasmin .my name sina .pleas fuck me
You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life.
I believe this internet site has got some rattling excellent information for everyone :D. “We rarely think people have good sense unless they agree with us.” by Francois de La Rochefoucauld.
love you Yasmin very fast fuck me!
I wish I knew how to correspond with her. I consider myself a straight guy, and her having a penis wouldn’t bother me a bit.
She seems like a genuine, beautiful person.
If anyone does know how to get a hold of her, feel free to email me. mission2move@yahoo.com
To day is a different day for you.You must now God love you.Jesus-Christ also love you.God want give you a better life.Jesus came to this world for us et to save us of our sins.He want us to be free et enjoy our life.So Believe to Jesus-christ means the beggining for the new life.
For God loved the world so much that HE GAVE HIS only Son,so that everyone who believe in him may not die but have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge,but to be its saviour.
But God’s mercy is so abundant and his love for us so great that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience He brought us to life with Christ.It is by God’s grace that you been saved.
Jesus loves you so much and He want you eternal life.