When it comes to becoming the representation you wish you had, Juno Dawson has ticked all those boxes.

The literary powerhouse, Sunday Times #1 bestseller (with over 15 books published!) came out as a transgender woman in 2015, and documented her experience in Glamour magazine. Truly showcasing that her pen is mightier than a sword, Juno has fearlessly advocated for LGBTQ+ rights at the highest level - whether that be in writing the BBC spin-off podcast Doctor Who: Redacted, or in any of her best-selling books.

In this episode of The Pieces, Bimini and Juno talk about glass-shattering achievements (including becoming the first known trans woman to top the Sunday Times bestseller list), fantasy influences, bringing diversity in your work and tackling transphobia. They also talk about growing up under Section 28 and Juno's path to finding a supportive queer community.

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Layton Williams career is a celebration of self expression, resilience and creativity - where one of the nation's most talented artists has constantly fought against the odds to achieve great success, on his terms.

Having set the West End in his sights from an early age - from his first role in "Billy Elliot" and portraying Young Michael Jackson in "Thriller Live", Layton's star has been rising for over 15 years. In 2019, Layton became London's latest leading man, taking on the role of Jamie New in the acclaimed "Everybody's Talking About Jamie". In 2023, he was a runner-up on Strictly Come Dancing and this year has took on the role of the Emcee in the acclaimed West End production of "Cabaret".

In this episode of The Pieces, Bimini and Layton talk about breaking through in "Billy Elliot' at 12 years old, through to leading in "Cabaret". Layton shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, how he puts his love for self-expression first, and the importance of embracing your true identity. Plus, Layton spills on his experience on Strictly Come Dancing.

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Few people have gone through the public transformation that Jojo Siwa has. Having become famous at just 12 years old on "Dance Moms", Siwa went on to become a global sensation a few years later after signing with Nickelodeon. Through-out the course of her children's TV career, her music became amongst the most-streamed songs in the world (the music video to "Boomerang" has over 1 billion views) and her numerous product lines (ranging from hair bows to lunchboxes) became essentials for young children.

In 2024 she shocked the world with a brand new look featuring rock-inspired make-up, and her first single as an adult artist "Karma", which became a viral pop culture moment of the year.

In this episode of The Pieces, Bimini and Jojo talk about navigating your identity in the public eye, the impact of positive representation and the importance of finding happiness amidst scrutiny. They also chart Jojo's journey as a child star and share advice for those struggling with embracing their true identity.

Don’t forget to subscribe and don’t miss new episodes of The Pieces every Tuesday!

Thank you to Melbourne and Always Live, a celebration of culture across Victoria, for partnering with us on this episode.

Follow The Pieces with Bimini

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