Russia: Erika Kisheva in her own words

Erika moved from her native Nalchik in Southern Russia to Moscow in 2003, where she soon had breast implants. She wandered the clubs and after a few months was asked to take part in shows like “Eva Braun” and “The Magic Lady”.

Erika entered Miss Transsex Russia 2004 and, applying what she had learned in 7 years at the School of Oriental Dance, she won the competition.

Under a different name she rented an apartment in a prestigious area of Moscow and placed adverts on sites for ‘intimate services’, charging a rate of $500/night.

With the money she earned, Erika then paid for SRS and blended into society as a woman.

Erika then appeared in the television series "House-2", being one of the more popular participants, and was open on TV that she was transsexual. She was later removed from the house when the series editors found out that she had been a porn actress, something she hadn’t mentioned in her application.

In April 2009, Erika had an interview with “Lada”, a newspaper in Kazakhstan, when she clarified a few points.

At the time of “House-2” the media had reported her as a transvestite, whereas throughout her life she had gender dysphoria and dreamt of the day when she would wear luxurious dresses and high heels.

Her parents knew of her desire to transition but as Muslims from Caucasia they were against surgery, which was why she left for Moscow. Her life seems to have led to some sort of scandal for the family, but when she had her SRS her mother arrived in Moscow to take her home to recuperate, and her family became supportive.

Erika said she had not watched “House-2” but that appearing in it had changed her life because of her popularity on the show, and so she became recognised in the street.

Nowadays she is a professional dancer, specialising in Eastern and Indian dance in a colourful and vibrant show. She has also done some acting, and tours Russia in a four person transgender dance show.