I was in the wrong body, says transgender beauty contestant

Washington, Apr 8 (ANI): Transgender Miss Universe Canada contestant Jenna Talackova has admitted to knowing she was "in the wrong body," since the age of four.

In her first interview since she was booted from - then allowed back into - the Miss Universe Canada competition for not being a "naturally born female," Talackova sat down with ABC News's Barbara Walters on Friday's 20/20.

Accompanied by her mother and lawyer, Gloria Allred, the beauty revealed that at birth, she was named "Walter".

Talackova, 23, who was called "tranny" and "it" by bullies at school, started hormone therapy at 14.

She later underwent gender reassignment surgery to convert her male genitalia to female.

"It was terribly painful, but seeing something on your body for that long and not being able to look at myself in the mirror because I couldn't stand seeing the other part, it was actually very rewarding, too," People magazine quoted her as saying in the interview.

To complete her physical transformation, Talackova also received breast implants and had her Adam's apple removed. Her legal transformation became complete after she changed her Canadian driver's license, passport and birth certificate to reflect her gender reassignment.

She is now recognized as female by the Canadian government, and lives a full life as a heterosexual woman - and even has a boyfriend, a man she says is near her age and is "very supportive ... just an amazing man."

Talackova has taken the beauty pageant controversy and turned it into an opportunity to help pave the way for other women like her. (ANI)

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