“She is also always telling me how pretty I am, and it is the sweetest thing ever to hear,” Jenna Tea, 21, expressed with warmth to PEOPLE.
Jenna Tea, living in Utah, is receiving immense appreciation since sharing her heartfelt moment of coming out as transgender to her great-grandmother via a widely loved video online. This August, her Instagram post featuring great-grandmother Katherine’s encouraging words hit over a million views, presenting a touching moment that resonated with countless people.
Recalling her childhood kindness, Jenna said, “She was always there for me — her belief in me never wavered. She saw that I was different in a good way and always reminded me of my beauty, which was music to my ears.”
In a beautifully honest conversation featured in the viral footage, Katherine begins with simple yet vital words, “Well, it’s your life, honey.”
“You must do what brings you joy,” Katherine advises gently, understanding the journey Jenna initiated online earlier this year by identifying as a transgender woman.
Reflecting further, Katherine adds, “It’s a process for everyone to adjust, but your happiness should always come first. People might find changes challenging, but that’s their hurdle, not yours.”
Katherine continues, lovingly recalling, “I always noticed how you leaned towards softer things, and we respected your journey. It’s not our role to judge or push you into anything. We just love you as you are.”
Summing up with deep affection, Katherine tells Jenna, “I love you, regardless of male or female. It’s your heart and soul that I cherish.” Jenna replies, moved, “That means the world to me.”
Jenna, an artist and drag performer, shines in the eyes of her great-grandmother, who cherishes attending her performances.
“She’s been to my shows, enjoying them wholeheartedly,” Jenna shared. “It’s heartwarming to see her being part of it all, and it fills me with immense joy to watch her support the performers with such enthusiasm. It lets me dream of making drag my career, and she is always cheering me on.”
As she finds inspiration in pioneers of trans rights and trans entertainers alike — names like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Miss Major resonate with Jenna — she admires many within the drag and performing arts community.
“Documenting my experience, I look up to others who share their transitions, like Dylan Mulvaney,” Jenna admiringly mentioned, appreciating trans visibility in media and personalities like those on ‘Pose’, making a significant impact on her confidence.
The list of role models extends to RuPaul, although not trans, his influence in the drag scene hasn’t gone unnoticed by Jenna, as he ignited her sense of identity. “RuPaul and the vibrant community he’s created have been key in shaping my vision. Looking up to various queens from Drag Race like Gottmik and Peppermint reassures me that I too can achieve my dreams.”
“You’ve got star quality,” Katherine proudly told Jenna recently, with love and confidence in her great-granddaughter’s talents, “Watching you perform is pure joy to me.” Such encouragement cements Jenna’s journey forward.
