We had the good fortune of connecting with Pari Roehi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pari, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Ever since I could walk and talk I was dancing, singing and performing. I would cut up my mothers old curtains and fabrics, drape them all over my self and do little fashion shows for family and friends.
In primary school I participated with the yearly playback show and won 3 years in a row. In my final year I wasn’t allowed to participate anymore because the teachers wanted to give other students a fair chance to win. A big bummer for me then but looking back I guess it was a big compliment. I remember every morning on my way to school I would run, close my eyes and reach my hands out high-fiving the bushes on the side of the sidewalk, acting like they were my fans and supporters. I always knew I would be doing something in the limelights and living and working in Hollywood would just be a matter of hard work and time.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I am a Transgender activist, model, host and author. I am very proud to have been and still be a part of a revolution within the entertainment and fashion industry.

Not so long ago women like myself were not given any opportunities to shine and show the world our beauty and many talents. We have come such a long way but still have a very long way to go for acceptance and diversity within the entertainment and fashion industry. My path professionally and privately was and still is not easy, but I have always been up for a challenge. I have overcome these challenges by surrounding myself with incredible, loving, understanding and empowering people who enjoy seeing me thrive and at the same time thrive with me. The number one lesson I have learned is to always make sure to bring an extra seat with you for your brother/sister, because that table we want to sit at often is missing many seats. Another lesson I have learned is to be your own best friend. Believe in yourself even though lots of times others don’t. Make sure along the way you surround yourself with genuine people that care. The ladder to success is pretty darn thin but there is always someone in front of you who is willing to reach out and give you a hand up. Be that same person for the one behind you. My biggest wish was to share my story of refuge, gender identity and endurance with others and inspire them to life their truth. I got the opportunity in 2016 to publish my autobiography in Germany titled ‘Mein Bunter Schatten, Lebensweg einer Transgender Frau’. (My colourful shadow, life journey of a Transgender women). Ever since I have received hundreds of letters, emails and DM’s from young trans kids and adults thanking me for inspiring them to keep pushing. Parents writing me how they and their loved ones have more knowledge now on Trans subjects. Just being visible for one person would have made me achieve all my goals. To have received such and amazing response from the public has just been overwhelming and so rewarding. This is my legacy for generations to come. My wish is to have my book published in The USA very very soon.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I adore Weho, so I would most definitely take them to the fabulous rainbow street with me. We would do a bar crawl enjoying drag performances, some yummy snacks and off course some terrific cocktails. We would work our way through the terrace at The Abbey, up to Rocco’s and Micky’s. I also love going to the beach so we would definitely take a drive to Malibu, have some Oysters at Broad Street Oyster Company and some cocktails at Nobu. I have been a member of the Soho house for many years so we would certainly have dinner and drinks at the West Hollywood house or take a dip in the Downtown house pool.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

This might come of self centred but I would like to shout out myself. Nothing in life has been handed to me, it took lots of tears, hard work, pain and growth to become who I am today and to live my dream and my truth. As a Persian trans, refugee child with zero to no opportunities I knew I had to run faster and fight harder than my white cisgender peers. This always kept me driven and eager. I wanted to be noticed, loved, accepted and valued. I remember being the first in many spaces. The first trans women who was on Germanys Next top model, the first trans women who became one of the faces of Pantene Pro V, the first trans women who does major international campaigns and commercials. I had to kick in allot of doors and ceilings just to be seen and heard. I come from an era where especially brown and trans women of color were giving no opportunities. I remember being rejected over fifteen plus times by modeling agencies around the globe, one specifically telling me ‘ If there is no market for women of color, why would there be a market for Trans people?’. My answer to that ignorant agent back then was ‘ I will create this market one day and make sure women like myself will thrive and shine’. X amount of years later we have a blooming diverse industry full of successful models with Trans identity.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pariroehi/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PariRoehi

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/pariroehi

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7503365/

Image Credits
private owned

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