Neethu Vanajakshi

Vanajakshi is a trans woman. She took counseling and hormonal therapy^[11] in preparation for her transition to a trans woman and underwent surgery and medical treatment.^[when?] In 2019, she won Miss Transqueen title^[12] and earned the chance to represent India. She revealed her identity in 2016 to her sister, who was in shocked and in tears to hear her sister's story.^[10] In 2020, she represented India at the Miss International Queen 2020.^[1] In Big Boss, she shared her feelings^[13] and how she had to keep her identity a secret before she came out.^[14]

Vanajakshi began as flower seller in her village to support her family before becoming a full-fledged entrepreneur, dancer, tattoo artist and actor.^[1][15] After leaving her home town Gadag, she started a restaurant, Gama Gama,^[15][16] for her mother and a beauty parlour for her sister, to fulfill her 'responsibility towards her family'.^[10] After becoming popular through the reality show Super Queens,^[16] she made her debut in acting in the film UI directed by director Upendra.^[15] In the reality show Bigg Boss Kannada 10, she achieved two milestones, the captaincy of the house and 'Kicchana Chappale', the appreciation of actor Kiccha Sudeep, who is the host.^[6] She is also a TEDx speaker.^[17]