• Horse Barbie

  • A Memoir
  • By: Geena Rocero
  • Narrated by: Geena Rocero
  • Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (32 ratings)

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Horse Barbie  By  cover art

Horse Barbie

By: Geena Rocero
Narrated by: Geena Rocero
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Publisher's summary

“A moving chronicle of trans resilience and joy” (Vogue) from one of Out100’s Most Impactful and Influential LGBTQ+ Storytellers

“Groundbreaking . . . [Rocero] quite literally models what triumph can look like.”—Glamour (Women of the Year)

WINNER OF THEM’S AWARD FOR LITERATURE • A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Book Riot, Elle, Esquire

As a young femme in 1990s Manila, Geena Rocero heard, “Bakla, bakla!,” a taunt aimed at her feminine sway, whenever she left the tiny universe of her eskinita. Eventually, she found her place in trans pageants, the Philippines’ informal national sport. When her competitors mocked her as a “horse Barbie” due to her statuesque physique, tumbling hair, long neck, and dark skin, she leaned into the epithet. By seventeen, she was the Philippines’ highest-earning trans pageant queen.

A year later, Geena moved to the United States where she could change her name and gender marker on her documents. But legal recognition didn’t mean safety. In order to survive, Geena went stealth and hid her trans identity, gaining one type of freedom at the expense of another. For a while, it worked. She became an in-demand model. But as her star rose, her sense of self eroded. She craved acceptance as her authentic self yet had to remain vigilant in order to protect her dream career. The high-stakes double life finally forced Geena to decide herself if she wanted to reclaim the power of Horse Barbie once and for all: radiant, head held high, and unabashedly herself.

A dazzling testimony from an icon who sits at the center of transgender history and activism, Horse Barbie is a celebratory and universal story of survival, love, and pure joy.

©2023 Geena Rocero (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Inherently American . . . Geena Rocero’s enthralling, redemptive, and heartfelt journey forces me to see the world through newly bright and hopeful eyes.”—America Ferrera, Emmy-winning actor and producer, and author of American Like Me

“Interspersed with vivid, captivating, and often hilarious behind-the-scenes stories about the pursuit of fame—on music-video sets, gaining entry into exclusive clubs and parties—Horse Barbie recounts Rocero’s painful decision to hide her trans identity as she pursued a modeling career in New York, and her empowering journey toward reclaiming her true self.”Vulture

“Candid . . . Rocero [is] no longer hiding. Her memoir does not shy away from topics like colorism, gender disclosure, sex work and the nuts and bolts of medical transition.”The New York Times

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Inspiration for everyone to live more boldly!!!

Such a courageous journey articulated with such powerful and entertaining storytelling. I just wish it didn’t have to be courageous for Geena to be who she is.

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She told her story.

Now it’s turn to tell your story. I will too. Thank you for the inspiration, sister. ❤️🇵🇭❤️

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What a story! What a person!

This book made me laugh, made my jaw drop, made me nostalgic from remembering my early days living in the Philippines, made me tear up, made me question my own beliefs on trans/trans community, made me think harder about Catholicism and colonialism, and made me truly in awe of Geena Rocero. What a force and an example, and a gift to the Filipino community. Bravo! Cannot wait to keep following your journey and see what you do next.

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Brava!

Congratulations Geena, this was such a treat to listen to and I’m so glad that I did. Your attention to detail and clarity helped us to better understand your journey while also illuminating the journey of others whose stories are not yet told. Proud of you!

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Wow — just wow.

What a powerful story! It left me clinging onto every word. A story that I’ve felt deep in my bones.

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A beautiful human story

Incredible story. So raw and real and open and honest. Brave memoir of humble beginnings to rising to a top model and coming out. What a wild ride!!

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A memoir that moves and inspires

The book narrated the life of Geena Rocero in a way that captures the imagination and emotion of the reader. I also love how the memoir tackles not just the battle of Geena Rocero for transgerder rights but also how history, anthropology, art, and storytelling shaped the women that she is now. This memoir is a must read.

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Wow!

Amazing story! Loved how many voices Sheena represents in her story! Definitely have a listen!

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Real, Profound, and Beautiful

Geena’s story will take your breath away. I listened on a whim and absolutely could not stop- it’s beautiful to hear her voice, REALLY, truly listen. I thought the gorgeous supermodel persona would be tiresome but it absolutely isn’t and she is so much more. Geena’s story will change the way you see the world. In the best possible way.

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Read by Geena Rocero! My favorite autobiography 🇵🇭🇺🇸

I would recommend this book to the Filipino diaspora! It is particularly special to be read by the author ♥️

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