Fact Check

Bruce Jenner IS Transitioning to Becoming a Woman?

Rumor: Magazine cover photo shows former Olympian Bruce Jenner transitioning to becoming a woman.

Published Jan. 20, 2015

Claim:

Claim:   Magazine cover photo shows former Olympian Bruce Jenner transitioning to becoming a woman.


MIXTURE


Example:   [Collected via Twitter, January 2015]



 

Origins:   On 14 January 2015, In Touch magazine prompted a good deal of rumor and controversy by publishing a cover photo of Bruce Jenner as a woman to promote a report that the former Olympian was undergoing a sex change:

That image was not real, though; it was a digitally manipulated one created from two separate photographs: In Touch superimposed Bruce Jenner's face over a picture of Dynasty actress Stephanie Beacham. The original photograph of Beacham was taken on 6 June 2013 by Nick Harvey at the launch party for BARREtoned studio in London:

The magazine did state in the article, "Bruce's Story: My Life As A Woman," the 'sex change' image of Bruce Jenner had been concocted by them. This admission, however, was buried within the pages of the magazine and was not mentioned on the frequently shared cover photo:



"Multiple sources revealed exclusively to In Touch what Bruce wants to look like when his transformation is complete, and their inside knowledge was used for our cover photo recreation."

A few weeks later, however, People magazine "confirmed" the rumor that had prompted the faked photo, reporting that Jenner was indeed transitioning into becoming a woman (with that process to become the subject of yet another television program):



"Bruce is transitioning to a woman," says a source close to the family. "He is finally happy and his family is accepting of what he's doing. He's in such a great space. That's why it's the perfect time to do something like this."

And according to a different Jenner insider, the 65-year-old reality star is filming his momentous journey, to be shared with viewers on a docu-series this year. "It will air when he is ready to be open about his transition," the source [said]. "But he's acting more and more confident and seems very happy."

Jenner's much-documented physical appearance (he's been photographed with longer hair, manicured nails and wearing makeup) has led to much speculation, but according to the insider, Jenner's decision to transition slowly was made in part so that his family would have time to adapt to the change.


Last updated:   31 January 2015

David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994.

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