‘Leave Britney Alone’ star begins transition and reintroduces herself to the world as Cara
The ‘Leave Britney Alone’ star shared a video of herself in a red dress. (Screen captures via Instagram)
Cara Cunningham, the creator behind the viral 2007 “Leave Britney Alone!” video, has announced she is transitioning – and that she’s done apologising for who she is.
Cunningham, 33, revealed on Instagram Tuesday (17 August) that after decades of brushing aside her own happiness – and her own truth – for others, she is ready to embrace who she is.
“Tomorrow is my appointment for hormone replacement therapy,” she began in a lengthy post. “It’s been 33 years coming and I’m happy to be in a place where I can embrace who I am.
“I have put my identity and personal happiness aside for so long, out of fear of rejection or me not wanting to embarrass my family.
“Then I realised anyone who actually loves me for me won’t be embarrassed and would’ve shown genuine interest in how long I have felt this way in the first place.
“I am transitioning and I have no more apologies to make for who I am.”
‘Leave Britney Alone’ star done with ‘living out of fear’
Cunningham was catapulted into viral fame when she posted a tearful video on YouTube urging the world to “leave Britney alone” as the belligerent media tore into the pop princess even amid her spiralling mental health crisis.
Yet, instead of heeding her message, the world ridiculed Cunningham. In the fallout, the adult film star from rural Tennessee soared, tallying up more than one million followers.
Decades on since the video, and similar feelings of “loneliness” have returned to Cunningham as she takes the next step on her gender identity.
Even the very video that brought her fame – and infamy – played a part as she sold it as an NFT to fund her transition.
“I will be happy knowing I am doing this for myself,” Cunningham continued, “and what I’ve needed for my gender dysphoria.”
The blogger also shared a short video of her posing in a buttoned-up red dress and flowing blonde hair to the tune of Taylor Swift’s “The Man”.
“As my transition progresses, I will not be answering to Chris,” she continued in the statement. “It’s Cara.” Her Instagram profile now lists her name as Cara Cunningham.
“‘Crocker’ was never and isn’t [actually] my last name to begin with – just a stage name I had to pick when I was being sent threats online as a teenager,” she added, referring to the avalanche of death threats she suffered for the video.
“I’m not living out of fear or anyone else’s terms any longer.”
