JAZZ MERGIRL: The True Story of Jazz Jennings, a Transgender Girl Born in a Boy's Body by BRUCE EDLEN–M.A.ed

Author:BRUCE EDLEN–M.A.ed [EDLEN–M.A.ed, BRUCE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-02-19T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Filmed Appearances, 2014 – 2015

A year or so went by before the Jennings agreed to participate in another televised interview, this one to be shown in Scandinavia. In March 2014, Renée Nyberg, an acclaimed Swedish television journalist, visited with Jazz and her family for a discussion that was later broadcast on Sweden’s TV3 channel.68 Renée has a quiet, intimate style of interviewing that made this particular documentary one that was especially personal and very touching. It’s unfortunate the video is no longer available for viewing from TV3, although Jazz included a brief segment in her YouTube Story of Jazz – A Transgender Child.

Toward the end of Renée Nyberg’s interview, she asked Jazz, “If I were to have a genie in a bottle, and you were granted three wishes, what would you wish for?” Jazz’s remarkable response, in Renée’s words, “just blew me away.” Jazz said:

I would not wish to not be transgender, ’cause I like the way I am. It’s the person I am. And I’m proud of myself and what I’ve accomplished. It’s made me a braver person, being transgender. And it’s just become a part of me.68

As this exchange demonstrates, whenever Jazz is interviewed, she replies in a confident, forthright manner. As one magazine reporter observed, “She has the composure of girls twice her age. During interviews on the subject of being transgender, she doesn’t stumble over her words, won’t back down from tough questions, and speaks with authority and even wisdom.” 84

Around the same time as the Swedish TV interview, there was a pre-publication listing on Amazon.com for the forthcoming children’s picture book, I Am Jazz, co-authored by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings. A number of different media events and interviews were arranged to publicize the book’s September 2014 release. For the next few months, all those book-related activities kept Jazz and Jeanette even busier than usual. More details about these events are covered in the chapter “I Am Jazz – The Book.”

After all of the book promotions had quieted down a bit, TLC cable (The Learning Channel) released a press statement on March 12, 2015, announcing a new television program, initially titled All That Jazz, but later renamed I Am Jazz. This 11-episode summer-season docuseries would star Jazz, and feature the entire Jennings family, and Jazz’s maternal grandparents.

Years ago, when first told that their grandchild was transgender, Grandpa Jack and Grandma Jacky had difficulty understanding and accepting this revelation. But they came to embrace Jazz’s transition, and have been totally supportive ever since.22 In fact, when being interviewed during filming, Grandpa Jack became emotional in expressing his opinion that the Jennings were right to share their story with the public. “Why is this right?” he was asked. “Because Jazz is special.” 40.1

How did this TV series come about? Jeanette explained to an ezine reporter that she and Greg had long-considered doing something new for television because of Jazz’s determination and enthusiasm to share her story and message.8.1 She was already a talented personality with a growing presence on social media, especially her popular YouTube channel.

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