Dame Joan Collins, 85, reveals she had a ‘transgender moment’ at 15 when she dressed in her father’s clothes and went to football matches because she ‘didn’t want to become a woman’
- Dame Joan said she ‘did not like the idea of becoming a woman’ as a teen
- But her phase came to an end when she discovered ‘the joy of boys’ at Rada
- Dame Joan spoke of her frustration at overly politically correct young people
Dame Joan Collins had a ‘transgender moment’ as a teenager which saw her wear her father’s clothes and go to football matches, she has revealed.
The 85-year-old star said that at the age of 15 she decided she ‘did not like the idea of becoming a woman’.
But she said the ‘tomboy’ phase came to an end months later when she discovered the ‘joy of boys’ at drama school Rada in London.
Dame Joan Collins, 85, said: ‘Luckily this all stopped a few months later when I was accepted at Rada and discovered the joy of boys (wait, can I say that?)’
Dame Joan Collins (left) and Edward Enninful attend the Claridge’s Zodiac Party hosted by Diane von Furstenberg and Mr Enninful to celebrate the Claridge’s Christmas Tree 2018
Dame Joan said she now feels frustrated that she can’t say certain things because they are viewed as politically incorrect.
She said: ‘Watching a popular dance show on TV alongside a young female person (is that OK?), I referred to a woman (can I say that?) who was performing rather badly as “the girl in the pink dress”.
‘“You can’t say that,” the teenager squeaked indignantly. “It’s sexist and incorrect.” “What should I say?” I asked.‘ “The individual in the pink dress,” she replied. “We can’t assume how she identifies.” ’
Writing in The Spectator, the mother of three continued: ‘This reminded me of my own potential transgender moment. At 15 I decided I did not like the idea of becoming a woman and started on a “tomboy” stage.
‘I eschewed my mother’s girdles, suspender belts and slips, and adopted my father’s corduroy slacks and loose shirts. I also took to accompanying him to Arsenal games, where I would wave my ratchet furiously.
‘Luckily this all stopped a few months later when I was accepted at Rada and discovered the joy of boys (wait, can I say that?).’