Anjali Lama (born Nabin Wabia) is a Nepali Transgender model and LGBTIQA+ Activist. She was born male but later underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2009 and became a woman.
Anjali Lama as a child
She is famous for being the first transgender woman to walk the runway at Lakme Fashion Week (2017).
Anjali Lama selected for Lakme Fashion Week 2017
He is also known for being outspoken about his sexuality. He supports the LGBTQIA community.
Wiki/Biography
Anjali Lama was born in 1985 (date of birth unknown) (age 36 years; in 2021) in Nuwakot District, Bagmati Province, Nepal She finished her schooling in 2013. When she was in school, her classmates used to make fun of her when she behaved like a girl. He prefers to talk to girls in his class than boys. He is closer to his mother and sister than his brother and father. At this point, he did not recognize his authenticity and in 2013 he went to Kathmandu to further his education. He discovered his sexuality when he saw a show at his friend’s house where men dressed as women. He was very happy to see them. She also met a group of transgender women and talked to them about her sexuality. They introduced Anjali to The Blue Diamond Society which helps the Transgender community. In 2005, Anjali decided to tell her family about her sexuality. When he told his parents about his sexuality, they were totally against it. They are very angry and no longer consider Anjali as their daughter. His family didn’t accept him so he had to cut all ties with them. In 2009, she underwent partial gender reassignment surgery. He started living his life the way he wanted. In an interview, he talked about how he felt during the surgery. He said,
Putting aside the financial part, which is no doubt difficult to manage, there was little pain during the month. However, the pain was worth it because I knew the experience would bring me closer to my real and true self.”
Physical appearance
Height: 5′ 9″
Weight (approx): 54 kg
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Body Measurements (approx): 34-26-34
Family
Anjali Lama belongs to a family with an agricultural background.
Parents & Siblings
Anjali Lama Suvan Singh Tamang’s father was a farmer and she had six siblings (mother’s name unknown). Her sister’s name is Neha Waiba.
Anjali Lama’s parents
Old sister Anjali
Career
Modeling
After Anjali underwent surgery, some of her friends suggested her to start modeling as she has a good height and body. He followed their advice and joined an agency in Nepal to get training for the audition. His sexuality became an obstacle in his career. She was rejected in many auditions but in 2009, she got an opportunity to appear in ‘Voice of Women’ magazine.
Anjali Lama on the cover of Voice of Women Magazine
In 2016, she auditioned for Lakme Fashion Week but she was not selected twice in the same year. Then he decided to improve himself, and he watched videos on YouTube to learn proper walking, dressing style, body posture, etc. She was chosen in 2017 for Lakme Fashion Week and walked the ramp for Monisha Jaising.
Anjali Lama during Lakme Fashion Week (2017)
He later worked with designers Amit Aggarwal, Anita Dongre, and Tarun Tahiliani. Anjali was also featured in the documentary “Anjali: Living Inside Someone Else’s Skin” in 2014.
Anjali Lama in a documentary based on her life
In 2019, he was part of a Calvin Klein campaign. This was a huge breakthrough for Anjali as she became the first transgender model to appear in an international brand. The campaign shoot took place in Phuket, Thailand in March. In an interview, Anjali shared her experience of being a part of the campaign and said,
I never thought I would do a Calvin Klein campaign one day. There are women from 10 countries in the campaign and I am one of them.”
Anjali Lama’s Instagram post about Calvin Klein
She was featured on the cover of Elle magazine in 2017 and GQ India magazine in 2018 and in the 2020 issue of Cosmopolitan.
Anjali Lama on the cover of Elle Magazine
Anjali Lama featured in GQ Magazine
Anjali Lama on the cover of Cosmpolitan Magazine
Anjali was also seen in a video by Levi`s where she shared her story of becoming a model.
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- Won ‘Miss Charming’ in a pageant for transgender women in 2007.
- Became the first transgender to walk at Lakme Fashion Week in 2017.
- In 2019, she won “model of the year” at the “Vogue Beauty Awards” and at the “Millennial Grarazia Awards.”
Anjali Lama with Vogue Beauty Awards
Anjali Lama with the Millenial Grazia Award
Facts/Trivia
- Anjali had to work hard to get a job because she was once rejected by an agency for being transgender.
- In an interview, he said that when he had to buy a house, the broker used to cut his calls.
- When asked if she always wanted to be a model, she said,
Yes, like any other girl, I grew up flipping through glossy magazines dreaming of becoming a model one day.”
- Anjali often shares pictures on Instagram while practicing Yoga.
Anjali Lama does Yoga
- He believes that children should be taught about LGBTQI from a younger age so that they can accept transgender people.
- He also said in an interview that there is more professionalism in fashion than in other fields.
- Anjali has walked in many shows but her favorite is the Rainbow Fashion Show. In an interview, he discussed about the show and said,
My favorite was when I opened for Gaurav Gupta at the Rainbow Fashion Show right after section 377 was repealed to celebrate LGBTQ people. This one is especially memorable because I didn’t walk just for me; it’s a win for my whole community.”
Anjali Lama at Rainbow Fashion Show
- She said in an interview that fellow members of the Lakme Fashion Week Show were very supportive and helped her with instructions written in English. He added,
I felt a bit lost because all the instructions were given to us in English. Then I approached models Deepti Gujral and Alesia Raut, who helped me.”
- His favorite supermodel is Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima.
- He likes traveling and watching movies.
- He believes that India is more accepting and developed than Nepal.
- In an interview, Anjali talks about the success mantra she believes in. He said,
Hard work is my only mantra. I describe myself as someone with strong self-determination, a never-give-up attitude and the ability to choose people wisely, which will drive me to succeed.”
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
