Gigi Gorgeous

2.1. Birth and family

Gigi was born on April 20, 1992, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Her birth name was Gregory Allan Lazzarato_{Gregory Allan Lazzarato}^English. Her parents are Judith Lazzarato (née Belding) and David Lazzarato. Her father, David, is a business executive who held positions as an independent director of The Stars Group, chief executive officer of Craig Wireless, and chief financial officer of Alliance Atlantis. Gigi's heritage is diverse, encompassing Italian, Lebanese, English, and French roots. She was raised in the Roman Catholic faith. A significant event in her early life was the passing of her mother, Judith, who died of leukemia on February 3, 2012, at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto. This loss had a profound impact on Gigi and later influenced her personal journey.

2.2. Early activities

During her youth, Gigi showcased early discipline and talent as a nationally ranked diving champion. This achievement highlighted her competitive spirit and dedication from a young age.

3.1. Coming out and name change

Gigi first came out at the age of 16, identifying at that time as a gay male. She publicly announced her identification as a transgender woman in December 2013. Following this, on March 8, 2014, she legally changed her name to Gigi Loren Lazzarato, marking a significant step in her transition.

3.2. Motivations for transition

The personal factors and inspirations that guided Gigi's transition were deeply impactful. She credited transgender model and performing artist Amanda Lepore as a significant influence. Additionally, the death of her mother played a crucial role in sparking her decision to transition. Throughout 2014, Gigi personally documented her gender transition through various social media profiles. Notably, videos revolving around her cosmetic procedures gained widespread viral status, providing a public and transparent account of her journey.

4.1. Beginnings on YouTube

Gigi launched her YouTube channel in 2008 while she was in the eleventh grade, inspired after a friend mentioned seeing a makeup video by Michelle Phan. She initially focused on makeup tutorials under the name Gregory Gorgeous. Her videos quickly gained popularity, establishing a significant online following. As her personal journey evolved, particularly after her gender transition, her YouTube channel expanded to include more vlogs, fashion, and lifestyle content, reflecting her evolving identity and interests.

In January 2011, Gigi announced The Avenue, a YouTube-based reality series. The show premiered on March 15 of that year on YouTube, with distribution handled by Blip.tv. The final episode of The Avenue aired on April 14, 2013.

4.2. Acting and modeling

Gigi Gorgeous has established a notable presence in the fashion and entertainment industries. She has modeled for designer Marco Marco, walking in his fashion shows in both 2014 and 2015. Her modeling work includes appearances on the covers of prominent magazines such as Paper and Fashion, and she has been featured in spreads for Galore, Kode, Refinery29, and Out. She has also served as a frequent muse for August Getty Atelier.

In her acting career, Gigi starred as Amber in fellow YouTuber Shane Dawson's debut short film I Hate Myselfie in 2015, and later reprised the role in its sequel, I Hate Myselfie 2. She also appeared in the short film Better Than Sex in 2015. Her television appearances include guest roles and recurring parts in various series and specials such as Project Runway All Stars, Me and My Grandma, Good Work, Trailblazers, The Campus, MTV's The After Show, The Listener, PopSugar TV, About Bruce, Access Hollywood, Daily Share, Entertainment Tonight, FOX News, The Marco Marco Show, Beauty TV, Bro'Laska, What's Trending, Help, My Face Is Fucked!, PerezHiltonTV, Nightcap, American Music Awards, Thread of Man, Shane and Friends, Daily Pop, Not Too Deep with Grace Helbig, Katy Perry Live: Witness World Wide, Last Week, Undivided Attention, Upload, Canada's Drag Race, and Hell's Kitchen.

Gigi has also appeared in several music videos, including "Another Lonely Night" by Adam Lambert (2015), "Aileen" by Willam Belli (2018), "Do Not Disturb" by Steve Aoki and Bella Thorne (2019), "God Control" by Madonna (2019), and "Days of Girlhood" by Dylan Mulvaney (2024).

4.3. Documentary and writing

Gigi Gorgeous has expanded her career into documentary filmmaking and authorship, using these mediums to share her personal story and advocate for broader social understanding.

In January 2017, the documentary This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous, directed by Barbara Kopple and starring Gigi, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The film chronicled her life and gender transition, offering an intimate look at her journey. On June 11, 2017, Gigi watched the documentary with Katy Perry during Perry's four-day livestream event, Katy Perry Live: Witness World Wide.

In 2019, Gigi published her memoir, titled He Said, She Said: Lessons, Stories, and Mistakes From My Transgender Journey, further detailing her experiences and insights. In November 2019, she also announced the launch of a makeup collection in collaboration with Ipsy, featuring various beauty products.

4.4. Social advocacy and activism

Gigi Gorgeous has leveraged her significant platform as an internet celebrity to become a prominent voice in social advocacy, raising awareness for transgender issues, the broader LGBT community, and anti-bullying initiatives.

In 2014, she was recognized for her efforts by being awarded the LogoTV Trailblazing Social Creator Award for her advocacy on behalf of LGBT youth. She frequently participates in BeautyCon conventions, where she engages with fans and contributes to panels discussing makeup techniques and the cosmetics industry. Her image was also featured in a montage of transgender celebrities in the ABC 20/20 documentary, which focused on Caitlyn Jenner's transition.

In June 2015, Gigi partnered with Miley Cyrus and her Happy Hippie Foundation for the Marie Claire "#InstaPride" campaign, which included a series of photos and a magazine spread aimed at promoting LGBTQ+ visibility. She also signed a partnership with Too Faced Cosmetics, starring in their commercial film "Better Than Sex," which premiered in July 2015. At the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards, Gigi, alongside a group of drag queens, introduced Miley Cyrus for the debut performance of "Dooo It!" from Cyrus's album Miley Cyrus and her Dead Petz. Furthermore, she was featured in Kylie Jenner's "Kylie" app, providing makeup tips through videos.

5.1. Relationships and marriage

From October 2014 to November 2015, Gigi dated Cory Binney, who is the half-brother of drag queen Alaska Thunderfuck. Their relationship experienced a brief breakup and reconciliation in mid-2015, with the initial split inspiring one of Gigi's most viewed videos, "Single Life (My Break Up)," a music video set to Avril Lavigne's "What the Hell."

On September 14, 2016, Gigi publicly came out as a lesbian in a YouTube video. Shortly thereafter, she began dating Nats Getty, an heir and member of the Getty family. They met at Paris Fashion Week in 2016, where Gigi was working as a model for Getty's brother, August Getty. In March 2018, Getty proposed to Gigi at the historic Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte in France.

Gigi and Nats Getty were married in a private ceremony on July 12, 2019, at Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito, California. The wedding was a notable event, with toasts given by prominent figures such as Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, and California Governor Gavin Newsom.

5.2. Identity and beliefs

Gigi Gorgeous's journey of self-discovery has included evolving expressions of her sexual identity. On April 9, 2021, shortly after Nats Getty publicly came out as transgender, Gigi announced that she identifies as pansexual. She explained her identity by stating that she "didn't fall in love with Nats because of his gender, I fell in love with the person that he is." Beyond her personal identity, Gigi is a practicing Roman Catholic and describes herself as religious, indicating the role of faith in her life.

6.1. Film

6.2. Television

6.3. Music videos

8.1. Social and cultural impact

Gigi Gorgeous has played a pivotal role in advancing transgender acceptance and visibility, becoming a significant figure in the broader LGBTQ+ rights movement. Her open and detailed documentation of her transition on YouTube provided a crucial and accessible resource for many, contributing to broader understanding and empathy. As a digital creator, her influence extends beyond entertainment, fostering a more inclusive dialogue around gender identity and expression. She has consistently used her public platform to advocate against bullying and discrimination, embodying a positive force for social change and inspiring countless individuals.

8.2. Media recognition

Gigi Gorgeous has received notable acknowledgments from major media outlets for her influence and contributions. In June 2017, Time magazine recognized her impact by including her in its list of the 25 most influential people on the Internet. Her documentary, This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous, further solidified her recognition in mainstream media by receiving accolades such as a Streamy Award for Best Documentary and a Critics' Choice Award for Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary.