Andrea Razali Is The Transgender Model And Activist To Know Now

Meet Andrea Razali, the pageant queen changing the course of beauty as we know it

Andrea Razali is a sight to behold. In person, the 30-year-old model is as arresting as her pictures suggest – a towering vision of cascading jet black hair, puckered lips and gossamer-esque skin. That Razali’s inaugural dip into the world of pageantry was just last year is an almost unfathomable concept, given her seamless clinching of the title Miss International Queen Singapore. The crowning quickly catapulted Razali to the big leagues and she was soon a contender at the world’s biggest beauty pageant for transgender women in Pattaya City, Thailand. “It all started when I was five years old. I was a young boy with aspirations and dreams and my gender identity was something I struggled with. Due to a lack of knowledge, I didn’t know I was transgender until I was 19. I just always knew something was off,” she shares. “Just as I was transitioning, I came across this pageant and I was like wow, these girls are stunning. I want that to be me one day.”

In the past year, things have changed immensely for the newly-minted pageant queen. Razali recounts a past life of mundanity, conflict and discomfort – one that was put to rest when she finally started transitioning in her early twenties. Razali’s finesse in hair and makeup – a passion that allowed her to be self-sufficient throughout and after her studies – have also materialised into a successful entrepreneurial venture. Dubbed “Glam by Andrea and Weave” – her standing as a pro makeup artist not only empowers her clients, it also brings to mind the transformative nature of her own illustrious life. Today, Razali boasts a following of 14.1K followers on Instagram, a podium for both her many talents and advocacy work. When asked about what she dreams to achieve for the LGBTQIA+ community through her advocacy, she shares: “I want to live in a space that accepts the transgender community with open arms – that allows transgender women and men to have equal rights and be transparent without having to hide their identity. Equality is a human right.” Here, Razali talks hair, confidence and finding your true power.

The biggest struggle was going against what other people were telling me to do.

What were some of your biggest struggles before finally feeling at home in who you were?

The biggest struggle was going against what other people were telling me to do. We live in a society where people try to fit in as much as they can. You lose a lot of friends, self-esteem and a bit of faith in humanity. It shows you a side of people you don’t want to see. I’ve also realised, however, that there are two sides to a coin. It’s all about your energy and who you attract. Let’s talk about your weave line.

Hair is an incredible tool of transformation – both for yourself and so many other people out there. What inspired you to start the line?

I was not in a good place when I started that line. I had just gotten a divorce. I’ve always loved changing up my look – it’s a version of me that I can create. With makeup, there’s still an essence of you. When you wear a weave, however, you are literally a new woman. To me, it’s the confidence, the sassiness, the attitude – and women need that these days.

You’ve been incredibly active in advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community. Tell us more about that.

I try to help as much as I can within my means. I donate clothes to the transgender shelter and I support as many events as possible, doing interviews to raise awareness. I feel that is the key obstacle that we have right now – lack of awareness and censorship. People want to understand but they don’t know how because there is not enough information for them to tap into. How have you cultivated your sense of self and confidence over the years?I think it’s always been there but I only realised it when I looked back and saw how far I’ve come. When you’re going through things, you don’t think about it.

You’ve got a strong following – many of whom look up to you. What advice do you impart to them?

I tell them to believe in themselves. My power is different from theirs – and the thing is a lot of people don’t realise their true power. They don’t see what they can do for themselves or what they can do for other people. Society shames you to be a certain way, but that isn’t authentically who you are. I tell them: “You know the answer – you’re coming to me because you want to hear it from someone else.” If you don’t trust yourself, you won’t trust me.

What do you think is next?

I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. I’m taking it one day at a time. I really do hope my advocacy work goes on to the next level.

Photography Joel Low
Styling Gregory Woo
Hair Junz Loke using Kevin Murphy Singapore
Makeup Wee Ming using Laura Mercier
Photography Assistant Alfie Pan
Subject Andrea Razali in Tiffany & Co. and Prada

This article first appeared in the March 2021 issue of L'Officiel Singapore.