With a series of previews leading up to Friday’s interview (Apr. 24), Bruce Jenner discussed it all with Diane Sawyer in tonight’s 20/20 airing.
Within the exclusive sit-down, the decorated-Olympian revealed details on his transition, his family’s reaction to his news and more, stating that he has always “been confused with my gender identity,” but now, Jenner is ready to re-emerge as the person he was born to be.
The 65-year-old also stated that he began taking hormones in the 80’s and continued for almost five years. A comment from his two youngest children, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, also reads: “We love our dad very much, he has the biggest heart and all we want is for him to be happy. If he’s happy, we’re happy.”
Understandingly, this has been very hard for me. You will hear what I have to say when I’m ready to but…
— Kylie Jenner (@KylieJenner) April 25, 2015
..this isn’t about me. I’m so proud of you, Dad. You are so brave. My beautiful Hero.
— Kylie Jenner (@KylieJenner) April 25, 2015
Read a few excerpts below.
On his transition:
“I’ve been thinking about this day forever and what I should do with my life, how do I tell my story, how do I tell people what I’ve been through.”
On his response to those who’ve poked fun at him:
“My whole life has been getting me ready for this. It’s not just the last few years as they’ve been treating me as a joke. I want to take advantage of it and I want to do the right thing.”
On his Kardashian/Jenner family’s reaction:
“They all cried mainly because they don’t want anyone to hurt dad. They’re very protective of me especially Kendall and Kylie.”
On breaking down the difference between sexuality and gender identity:
“Sexuality is who turns you on. But gender identity has to do with your soul.”
On dispelling suicidal thoughts:
“I can’t do something like that. I want to know how this story ends.”
On his decision to reveal his transition:
“I just can’t pull the curtain any longer. I’ve built a nice little life. I just can’t again, Bruce is not a lie, she is not a lie. I can’t do it anymore.”
On filming Keeping Up With The Kardashians:
“The entire run I kept thinking to myself the one real true story in the family was the one I was hiding and nobody knew about it. The one thing that could really make a difference in people’s lives was right here in my soul and I couldn’t tell that story.”
Kanye West’s Advice To Kim Kardashian Which Helped Her Support Bruce’s Transition:
“I can be married to the most beautiful woman in the world, and I am. I can have the most beautiful daughter in the world, and I have that. But I’m nothing if I can’t be me, if I can’t be true to myself.”
A documentary premiering on E! will follow Bruce’s life as a transgender woman, airing July 26.