D. Smith, the 51-year-old “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” star, announced Friday that he is detransitioning after living as a transgender woman for 12 years.
Smith shared the news on Instagram, writing, “For most of my life, I’ve followed my heart, even when the path wasn’t easy to understand.”
“Over the last twelve years, I lived my life publicly as a transgender woman,” Smith continued. “Those years weren’t a mistake. They were real. They introduced me to extraordinary people, profound experiences, and lessons that I will always carry with me forever.”
Smith said that over the past several months he has begun a new chapter, and will now live and present as a man, using he/him pronouns.
“This isn’t about erasing my past. Living my life as a woman for 12 years showed me the man that I wanted to become.”
He added that his “respect and love for the transgender community remain unchanged,” and said he continues “to believe that every person deserves to live with dignity, safety, and compassion and have the freedom to become themselves.”
Smith described his life as one that has constantly pushed him to grow, saying he chose “purpose over fear” even through adversity. He said there is more to the story than could fit in his statement and promised to share it in full when the time is right, thanking followers for “allowing me space to continue growing.”
A Grammy-nominated career and a groundbreaking TV role
Smith is a Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter who has worked with artists including Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, Katy Perry and Ciara. He came out as transgender in 2014 and faced backlash at the time.
Smith went on to become the first transgender person to appear on “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta,” joining the VH1 show in Season 5, which aired in 2016. At the time, Smith said, “I realized that the more trans people who are in the light will create awareness for trans people. We are all just trying to live, and it’s great to have this platform, so I’m very happy to be on the show.”
Support pours in online
Smith’s announcement drew an outpouring of support in the comments, including from “Pose” actress Indya Moore, who is transgender. Moore wrote, “Our experience in transness is so much more complex than just being trans — though our experience is siloed that way — but being trans is just one of the various facets of being a Human being — and being by a human being is glorious reflection of so many ways life exists.”
Moore continued, “God bless you, may you be protected, and free of any harm people whose hearts are swollen with hatred and resentment may target you with. May peace, grace and mercy be showered upon you through all your days, in this life and the next.”
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