Jenna Talackova facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jenna Talackova
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Talackova as grand marshal of the 2012 Vancouver Pride parade
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| Born | October 15, 1988 (age 36) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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| Occupation | Model, television personality |
| Known for | Miss Universe Canada pageant competitor |
Jenna Talackova (born October 15, 1988) is a Canadian model and TV personality. She became well-known in 2012. This happened when she fought to compete in the Miss Universe Canada pageant. She was first told she couldn't because she is transgender. But she won the right to compete.
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About Jenna's Early Life
Jenna Talackova was born and grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her father is from the Czech Republic. Her mother is a member of the Babine First Nation. This group is from the Lake Babine Nation in British Columbia.
Jenna felt from a young age that her gender identity was different from the one she was given at birth. She started her gender transition when she was 14. This was while she attended Vancouver's Killarney Secondary School. She later took medical steps to align her body with her true gender identity at age 19. She first chose the name "Page" when she began her transition. Later, she changed it again to Jenna.
In 2012, Jenna was studying holistic nutrition.
Miss Universe Canada Journey
Jenna Talackova had competed before in the 2010 Miss International Queen pageant. This event is for transgender women in Thailand. After that, she signed up for Miss Universe Canada 2012. It's not clear if she said she was transgender on her application. However, she was chosen as one of the Top 65 contestants. Someone who knew her from the Miss International Queen pageant told the Miss Universe Canada organizers.
The organization then said Jenna could not compete. They said their rules required contestants to be "naturally born" women. Jenna then contacted lawyer Gloria Allred. Ms. Allred took on the case. She challenged the pageant organizers. This included Donald Trump, who owned the international Miss Universe organization. They wanted the decision changed so Jenna could compete.
The organization changed its mind before the case went to court. Mr. Trump's office released a statement. It said Jenna Talackova was free to compete. This was as long as she met Canada's legal gender recognition rules. They understood that she did.
At the pageant on May 19, 2012, Jenna made it into the Top 12. But she did not reach the Top 5. She was, however, one of four contestants to win the Miss Congeniality title. Jenna was also named a co-grand marshal for the 2012 Vancouver Pride Parade. This was to honor her fight to be in the Miss Universe pageant.
Television Appearances
A reality TV show about Jenna's life was filmed in the summer of 2013. It was called Brave New Girls. The show followed Jenna as she moved to Toronto. There, she wanted to start a modeling career. Peacock Alley Entertainment produced the series. It first aired on E! Canada in January 2014.
Personal Interests
Jenna Talackova is a vegan. She appeared in an ad campaign for PETA. This campaign promoted a plant-based diet.
See also
In Spanish: Jenna Talackova para niños
