Teeny Chirichillo Shares His Truth

In an eye-opening essay for Cosmopolitan, former ‘Survivor’ contestant Teeny Chirichillo has come out as transgender, candidly sharing his personal struggles with identity.

The Struggles Behind the Spotlight

At just 24 years old, Teeny reflected on a turbulent period following Season 47 of the hit CBS reality show, acknowledging that his journey has been anything but straightforward. ‘The state of my life since ‘Survivor’ has been full of uncertainty,’ he wrote, highlighting the absence of a traditional support system like many of his castmates.

Facing Online Scrutiny

Chirichillo recounted unpleasant experiences with online audiences, who dished out invasive comments and debated his pronouns soon after the trailer for his season debuted. He was forced to confront discussions questioning his gender identity in explicit ways, which he found overwhelming.

The Difficulty of Representation

At the time, Teeny felt unprepared to define his identity on a major platform, particularly in the midst of a competitive social game. He worried that his co-stars would struggle with using the correct pronouns, which further complicated his decision to come out at that time.

Behind the Scenes: A Talk of Surgery

Despite this turmoil, Teeny found moments of liberation with his own tribe, joking about a recent surgical consultation for top surgery he attended just before heading to Fiji for filming. He laughed about choosing to wear a sports bra instead of a binder—reflecting a significant, albeit temporary, step toward embracing his true self.

A Journey of Self-Discovery

After returning home, Teeny began questioning his non-binary label and ultimately recognized himself as a closeted trans man. ‘Even in knowing this, there’s a part of my brain that can’t shut off,’ he confessed, revealing the ongoing battle he faces with self-acceptance.

Navigating Family Dynamics and Financial Concerns

As he continues to embark on his transition, Teeny also expressed concern about how his family and girlfriend perceive his transgender identity, alongside the practical worries about affording testosterone injections. ‘I don’t expect everyone to reach the same level of ease with my gender that I’ve arrived at,’ he stated.

Own Your Identity

In a powerful conclusion, Teeny affirmed his understanding of his identity, saying, ‘But I know who I am.’ His brave decision to share his truth opens the door to crucial conversations about gender identity and acceptance.