Alicia Liu

Who is Alicia Liu?

Alicia Liu Xun-ai was born in Taoyuan, Taiwan on 12 June 1986. She is a Taiwanese model and television personality, sometimes known by the nickname Xiao Ai.

Liu had male genitalia at birth and was given the name Zi-hua, but underwent sex reassignment surgery at the age of 18. She became popular following a number of appearances on a parody television programme, but was outed in January 2010 by a former schoolmate who posted her graduation photo online. In response, Liu held a press conference where she stated that she was happy being a woman and that the past was not important, but only confirmed that she was a transsexual when interviewed by the China Times a week later. Supported by family, colleagues and her agency, Liu said: "To go public with my sex change was more of a help for me than hindrance, and it had not affected my life".