This Article is From Jun 02, 2015

Caitlyn Jenner Makes Blockbuster Post-Bruce Debut on Twitter, Vanity Fair

Caitlyn Jenner Makes Blockbuster Post-Bruce Debut on Twitter, Vanity Fair

This image was posted on Twitter by Caitlyn Jenner

Los Angeles: Caitlyn Jenner, the transgender Olympic champion formerly known as Bruce, unveiled her new name and sexy look Monday in a Vanity Fair covershoot - drawing widespread praise and smashing a Twitter record.

Ms Jenner managed to break President Barack Obama's record, amassing one million Twitter followers in the shortest time - about four hours.

The newly minted Twitter champ tweeted:
 

"Caitlyn Jenner" and the hashtag #CallMeCaitlyn quickly rocketed to the top of the Twitterverse as the top trending topic in the United States and worldwide.

Ms Jenner broke Obama's Twitter record for the shortest time to reach one million followers, achieving the mark with her @Caitlyn_Jenner account in four hours and three minutes.

Obama - who joined Twitter as @POTUS only last month - took about 4.5 hours to reach the one million mark.

Ms Jenner, who covers Vanity Fair's July issue in a cream strapless bodysuit and long brown hair, writes in her Twitter profile description: "I'm so happy after such a long struggle to be living my true self. Welcome to the world Caitlyn. Can't wait for you to get to know her/me."

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender campaigners - and many well-wishers - welcomed the high-profile debut, as did the 65-year-old Ms Jenner's family, which includes the media-savvy celebrity Kardashian clan.

In a video clip of the photo shoot on Vanity Fair's website, Ms Jenner said: "Bruce always had to tell a lie. He was always living that lie. Every day, he always had a secret, from morning till night. Caitlyn doesn't have any secrets," said Jenner, a reality television star.

"As soon as the Vanity Fair cover comes out, I am free," she said in the video in which she features wearing a black evening gown.

'Moment of tremendous freedom'

Caitlyn Jenner was widely praised for revealing in a television interview broadcast in April that she was transitioning to life as a woman, earning praise for coming out as transgender.

LGBT groups hailed Ms Jenner's Vanity Fair cover story. "By sharing her journey with the world, Caitlyn Jenner is accelerating acceptance of transgender people everywhere and reminds us all how important it is to live as your most authentic self," GLAAD head Sarah Kate Ellis said.

"For a transgender person to step into the world as his or her authentic self is a moment of tremendous freedom," said Nick Adams, GLAAD's Director of Programs, Transgender Media.

"The world can now see what Caitlyn Jenner has always known, that she is - and always has been - a woman."

Ms Jenner's family quickly rallied around her on Twitter.

"How beautiful! Be happy, be proud, live life YOUR way!" wrote Kim Kardashian, Jenner's step-daughter and fellow reality television star.

The outpouring of support on Twitter also included a message from Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to Obama and chairwoman of the White House Council on Women and Girls.

"Nice to meet you, @Caitlyn_Jenner. The brave choice to live as your authentic self is a powerful example to so many," she wrote.

As Bruce, Ms Jenner became an American sports hero by setting a world record in the decathlon in the 1976 Olympics.

But it was through a previous marriage to Kris Kardashian that the former Bruce Jenner once again became a household name with the reality TV series "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," appearing as the sometimes bemused stepfather of her flamboyant daughters.

The couple married in 1991 and have two daughters together, Kendall and Kylie. They recently divorced.

Model Kendall Jenner wrote on Twitter Monday: "Be free now pretty bird."

Khloe Kardashian, another of Ms Jenner's step-daughters, wrote on Instagram: "We were given this life because you were strong enough to live it! I couldn't be prouder!!! "Caitlyn, You are beautiful!!!"

As well as the online accolades, Ms Jenner will also receive a real-world one: sports channel ESPN announced it will give the Arthur Ashe Courage Award to the transgender star later this month.

"Being honored with this award, which is named after one of my heroes, is truly special. For the first time this July, I will be able to stand as my true self in front of my peers," Caitlyn Jenner said in response to the ESPN announcement.

Watch: Caitlyn's covershoot for Vanity Fair
 
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