D. Smith has announced that he is detransitioning after living publicly as a woman for 12 years.
The 51-year-old “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” personality shared the news in an Instagram post Friday, writing that he has spent much of his life following his heart, including when the direction he chose was difficult for others to understand.
Smith said his 12 years living openly as a transgender woman were meaningful and should not be viewed as a mistake. He described that period as one that brought remarkable people, significant life experiences and lasting lessons.
But in recent months, the reality TV star and singer-songwriter said he has entered a different phase of his life. Going forward, Smith said he will present as a man and use he/him pronouns.
“This isn’t about erasing my past,” Smith explained, saying that his years living as a woman helped reveal the man he now wants to become.
He also made clear that his support for the transgender community has not changed, adding that everyone deserves dignity, compassion, safety and the freedom to live authentically.
Reflecting on a life that has continually challenged him to evolve, Smith said he has chosen to pursue purpose rather than be guided by fear, even through difficult moments.
Smith noted that there is more to his personal journey than he could address in the statement, promising to share the full story when the time feels right.
For now, he thanked followers for giving him the room to keep growing.
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The VH1 star, a Grammy-nominated musician who has collaborated with Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, Katy Perry and Ciara, previously drew backlash after publicly coming out as transgender in 2014.
Nonetheless, the TV personality was outspokenly proud of the distinction of being the first transgender person to appear on “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” back in Season 5, which aired in 2016.
“I realized that the more trans people who are in the light will create awareness for trans people,” Smith said at the time, according to The Post.
“We are all just trying to live, and it’s great to have this platform, so I’m very happy to be on the show.”
Smith’s post about detransitioning garnered an outpouring of support in the comments section, including a heartfelt “love letter” from “Pose” actress Indya Moore, a trans woman.
“Our experience in transness is so much more complex than just being trans — though our experience is siloed that way — but being trans is just one of the various facets of being a Human being — and being by a human being is glorious reflection of so many ways life exists,” Moore wrote.
God bless you, may you be protected, and free of any harm people whose hearts are swollen with hatred and resentment may target you with,” she continued. “May peace, grace and mercy be showered upon you through all your days, in this life and the next.”