Amanda Lepore Detailed Biography

Amanda Lepore (born Armand Lepore, date of birth unknown) is an American transsexual icon who has received attention for her modeling, fashion, partying, and business skills. She has been the advertising face for Heatherette, MAC Cosmetics, Mego Jeans, Swatch, and more. Fashion design company Heatherette has used Lepore’s image on many of their clothing and has continuously chosen her to model their brand on runways (Spring/ Summer '02, '05, and Fall/ Winter '05.) She played herself in the film Party Monster, directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato. Lepore resides in New York City and can be spotted working at the makeup counter of Patricia Field. Serving as David LaChapelle's muse, Amanda has been included in many advertising campaigns for Armani, MTV, and more. Her presence graces most of LaChapelle's work as artistic photographs. She participated in his "Artists and Prostitutes 1985-2005" exhibit in New York where she "lived" in a voyeuristic life-sized set. Currently Lepore is exploring musical projects with producers Fatal Art Syndicate. Her first single "Deeper" is a trance dance song written by Lady Bunny, a drag queen and hostess of Wigstock. Other available songs are "Champagne" and "My Hair Looks Fierce."

The child of a chemical engineer father (Italian-American) and a schizophrenic mother (German-American), Lepore was born in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. At the age of 11 she professed to her parents that she wanted a sex change operation after seeing a TV show on the subject. Not being able to pass as a boy at school, Lepore made the decision to go as a girl which concerned her guidance counselor; she wasn't allowed to attend school as a female, so she received a tutor at home. At the age of 15 she began designing costumes for dancers at a local strip joint. During this time she received hormones from an underage transsexual friend who accepted outfits as payment. After her body developed breasts her tutor recommended a psychiatrist. Lepore was diagnosed as a transsexual. The psychiatrist informed her parents and helped in getting the hormones legally. Her first surgical operation (rhinoplasty) occurred at the age of fifteen, which she received for free by her then-boyfriend, a plastic surgeon. Lepore then got involved with a bookstore owner. He was initially unaware that she was transsexual, but when she told him so, he accepted her anyway and revealed the situation to his parents who were compassionate and allowed her into their family. His parents took Lepore to a doctor for the operation, but couldn't continue until her biological mother gave her consent because she was a minor. By the age of seventeen (through a legal loophole) Lepore had a full sex change operation. Eventually she married him and moved in with his family. Due to her husband's jealousy and concern of others finding out his wife was a transsexual, Lepore became a prisoner in her home. She plotted an escape for seven months, during which time she saved money and finally left. Her husband hired a detective to find her, resulting in Lepore filing a restraining order against him. She kept in contact with her husband's father, as he understood why she had to leave. At her new home in New York City she made $45 a day working at a salon. She took the advice of a friend and became a dominatrix, fulfilling the erotic fantasies of others. A friend took her to Michael Alig's party "Disco 2000," where she was immediately accepted for who she was and became the centre of attention. Working at a Bowery bar, LaChapelle stumbled upon her and they became important parts of each other's lives. Amanda has had three breast augmentations, her eyes slanted twice, her forehead lifted, her hairline pulled down, her lips enlarged, and she has had her hips and buttocks enhanced with liquid silicone injections. There is disagreement regarding Lepore's date of birth. Guesses for her age range from the 30 to around 50. The hospital that Lepore was born in burnt down, along with the records of her birth.

In October 1999 Swatch released "Time Tranny," a watch designed by LaChapelle with Lepore on the face displaying a printed crack on the glass and marble stripes as the background. LaChapelle however was not pleased with the results and had the first version withdrawn and destroyed making it a rare collectible. The original version was accidentally sold in the UK, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The second version displays no cracked glass and a blue and yellow striped background. To date "Time Tranny" is the fastest selling limited edition Swatch. Lepore is also launching two fragrances under the names of "Happy Hooker" and "Lemore." Another perfume under the name of "Virgin Juice" is being produced with LaChapelle. Integrity Toys will be launching an Amanda Lepore doll produced by Jason Wu. All proceeds will go directly to AIDS.