With plastic surgery, wardrobe change and photo shoots, Bruce Jenner transformed himself into his female identity, Caitlyn, “to be able to wake up in the morning, be [herself], get dressed, get ready to go out, and just be like a normal person,” Jenner said.

In an interview on April 25, 2015 with Diane Sawyer, Bruce Jenner admitted that he is beginning his transformation into a woman. During the interview, Jenner quoted that he has “the soul of a woman… and for all intents and purposes, he is a woman.” After staying hidden from the public for some time, Jenner reintroduced himself to the world as Caitlyn, his female identity, through a Vanity Fair photoshoot, on June 1, 2015. Jenner’s new name, Caitlyn, was specifically spelled with a “C,” as she wanted to stray from the Kardashian tradition of names with the letter “K,” and separate herself the media associations relating to the Kardashian family.

From being a gold-medal athlete, to an advocate of transgender rights, Jenner remains a popular celebrity, supported by the media for her boldness and appeal. “I am so moved by all the love and support Caitlyn is receiving. It feels like a new day, indeed, when a trans person can present her authentic self to the world for the first time and be celebrated for it so universally,” Laverne Cox, actress and LGBTQ advocate said. “Yes, Caitlyn looks amazing and is beautiful, but what I think is most beautiful about her is her heart and soul, and the ways she has allowed the world into her vulnerabilities. The love and devotion she has for her family and that they have for her. Her courage to move past denial into her truth so publicly. These things are beyond beautiful to me.”

Jenner’s “courage” has been appreciated by many, resulting in Jenner being chosen as ESPN’s recipient of the ESPY, Arthur Ashe Courage Award. Many believe that the award shouldn’t be presented to Caitlyn, saying that a celebrity dressing up and receiving plastic surgery isn’t courage. However, Caitlyn’s transformation has inspired many transgenders to accept their identity. Not only did she “[show] courage to embrace a truth that had been hidden for years, and embarked on a journey that may not only give comfort to those facing similar circumstances, but also helped to educate people on the challenges that the transgender community faces,” Maura Mandt, ESPN executive producer said. Yes, there are other types of courage, but Jenner’s transformation bravely challenges the media to embrace transgender, or as Jenner calls the “new-normal.”