| |
Boy Meets Girl
Boys will be girls
Foundations
What does it take
to turn Steve, Stan, Blaine and Pablo into Sandra, Stacey, Jessica and
Joelle? At the most basic level, it takes underwear. The first step in
the transition from male to female is getting the underlying physical
shape right. So the boys' first task is to choose their breast and bra
sizes, and then embark on the tricky challenge of trying to put a bra
on.
The next step is more
difficult. The boys are asked to conceal their genitals: to push the testicles
into the groin and tuck the penis away. All feel extremely uncomfortable,
and somewhat apprehensive, at the prospect of 'losing' their manhood.
This is the first sign of the boys having to give something up in order
to achieve femininity. In fact, it is not until near the end of the experiment
that Pablo/Joelle discovers that the safest way of concealing his genitals
is by using packaging tape.
Fashion sense
Outerwear is more
fun. The boys not only have to choose what to wear, but they have
to learn how to wear women's clothes. As Stan discovers, a flimsy,
silky blouse may look pretty on the rack, but the fabric may reveal more
than you had intended.
At first, the boys
go for outrageous, revealing clothing. But as the programme progresses,
they become increasingly practical, choosing more sensible shoes that
are easier to walk in and colours that flatter their large frames.
Make-up
Make-up is another
challenge — one that is different for each participant. Blaine, for
example, has a very strong, masculine jawline, so his face needs to be
softened and feminised. His long hair, good complexion and almond-shaped
eyes are an advantage, though.
Hair removal
The most physically
painful part of the transition from male to female comes with hair removal.
The boys have to have their legs, armpits, chests and stomachs waxed.
As any woman will tell you, just having your legs waxed is bad enough.
One contestant must also have his eyebrows waxed — a prospect he
finds even more distressing, since he knows he will have to go around
with these new eyebrows for a long time after the experiment is over.
Behaviour
With the physical
elements taken care of, the boys have to move on to the more subtle problem
of acting like a woman. They have to learn to take up less space when
they sit, and walk with their legs closer together. But the boys must
not just walk like any woman, they must walk like a particular
woman. It is easier for some than others. Steve finds it difficult to
narrow his walk, while Blaine tries to do too much, and ends up with an
exaggerated, vampish look.
Voices
For all the contestants,
getting the voice right is the most difficult part of the transition.
The boys have to learn to raise the pitch of their voices without going
to extremes. Sounding too camp is a giveaway. The boys must also learn
to use the vocabulary that a woman would. As their voice coach explains,
women tend to be less direct and more apologetic in speech. Later in the
programme, when the boys are released into the outside world, speaking
like a girl proves to be one of the greatest challenges.
Form
and content
The
contestants
Boys
will be girls
Girls
will be boys
Gender
bending
Find
out more
Home
Graphic
version
Includes layout and images.
Top
of page
|
