(Editor’s Note: This interview with actress and model Yasmin Lee (birth name; Kosal Sim), was conducted back in April 2012 by Tom Heckbert for the now-defunct website Eyestrane.com. Although it’s been edited to exclude some of its original content, we’re still pushing the envelope by republishing it here at Idol Features, courtesy of Tom.)
If you think you know Yasmin Lee (born Kosal Sim in Thailand in 1983), you better think again, especially if you have not taken the time to talk to pcap]this amazing women. Best known for her role as Kimmy, the ladyboy stripper in The Hangover Part II and for her roles in transsexual adult movies with titles such as Transsexual Babysitters as well as numerous features she’s made for the website TS Seduction, a subsidiary of Kink Studios, that operates from the old San Francisco Armory building. Yasmin also appeared in the horror/thriller film Red Ice written and directed by Ralph Hyver.
Aside from being one of the top TS porn stars in the adult entertainment industry, Yasmin is a devoted daughter and a loyal friend to those who are allowed into her inner circle. She is an outspoken advocate for sexual rights and fearless when it comes to letting people know exactly what is on her mind.
EYESTRANE: Yasmin, you were born in Thailand. What age were you when you came to the US?YASMIN LEE: Legally on paper I was born in Thailand, but it can very well be Cambodia. My family was in the concentration camp and we escaped into the jungle when my mom was at seven months. There’s no distinct border line in the the dense forest. I came to the USA, Orange county, California when I was five.
EYESTRANE: Can you tell us a little about your childhood? What kind of child were you?
YASMIN: We were placed in the Thai refugee camp for a few years before transferred to the camp in the Philippines. I don’t remember much my early childhood. I remember the dirt roads. The fence I knew not to cross over, even though there were many wild fruits on the other side, because they would have shot us. There was a charity or program that my friends and I would go to because they were aiding us with food. I remembered how much I hate learning about Jesus. Not that I wasn’t interested in new stories but because we had to sit there hungry for hours and didn’t get our food until we were finished learning. I didn’t know what religion was then and didn’t even identify myself as a Buddhist until I was in high school.
I remember the first article of clothing I wore was a little shirt. My sister found a broken umbrella on the side of the road, took the fabric from it, cut a circle in the middle and used her food money to buy and put a waist band. That was my outfit for several years. I remember loving the idea of everyone thinking I was a girl. I would jump up so my skirt would fly up, exposing myself, and just start laughing. Everyone then would laugh as well, realizing I was a boy. I was very independent and free spirited. Every time a theatre production would come to the camp I would wander off alone to go see it. Those things lasted for days and my family would go nuts looking for me. After that two-day disappearing act I had someone guarding me 24/7 when there was a show in town.
EYESTRANE: What you were little what did you dream of doing when you grew up? Did you always want to be an actor?
YASMIN: When I was young I wanted to be an artist. I still draw and paint. My dad was very artistic as well and very much a man of all traits. Growing up I seemed to excel in everything I did. I go into a zone when I’m focusing. It allows me to see everything in detail. I feel I lost a lot of this focus when puberty rolled in. I couldn’t figure out why I felt so unbalanced. I didn’t know any gay people and had no idea that transitioning was even an option. I put this confusing part of my being in the back burner and focused only on school. I never thought that performing could be a job since I was excelling academically. My parents wanted me to be a lawyer or a doctor. I was in love with my AP European history class and wanted to be a history teacher. If I had a secret crush, it had to be the times I was in the choir. I had always performed solo here but there I found my love for the stage and the time came when the school decided to do a musical for the first time in 10 years. It was The Wiz and I landed the part of the scarecrow. This was my sophomore year. After that, I decided to audition and go to an academy performing arts school to finish my high school. It was hard making this jump and leaving my sport team. I was captain of the varsity track team since my freshmen year and the school made such a big deal about me being the only one in our school going to city finals and with the highest marks. They said I could easily qualify for the Olympics by the time it cycled around.
EYESTRANE: When did you first begin to question your sexuality and when did you make the decision to live based on your true feelings?
EYESTRANE: What you were little what did you dream of doing when you grew up? Did you always want to be an actor?YASMIN: When I was young I wanted to be an artist. I still draw and paint. My dad was very artistic as well and very much a man of all traits. Growing up I seemed to excel in everything I did. I go into a zone when I’m focusing. It allows me to see everything in detail. I feel I lost a lot of this focus when puberty rolled in. I couldn’t figure out why I felt so unbalanced. I didn’t know any gay people and had no idea that transitioning was even an option. I put this confusing part of my being in the back burner and focused only on school. I never thought that performing could be a job since I was excelling academically. My parents wanted me to be a lawyer or a doctor. I was in love with my AP European history class and wanted to be a history teacher. If I had a secret crush, it had to be the times I was in the choir. I had always performed solo here but there I found my love for the stage and the time came when the school decided to do a musical for the first time in 10 years. It was The Wiz and I landed the part of the scarecrow. This was my sophomore year. After that, I decided to audition and go to an academy performing arts school to finish my high school. It was hard making this jump and leaving my sport team. I was captain of the varsity track team since my freshmen year and the school made such a big deal about me being the only one in our school going to city finals and with the highest marks. They said I could easily qualify for the Olympics by the time it cycled around.
EYESTRANE: When did you first begin to question your sexuality and when did you make the decision to live based on your true feelings?
YASMIN: I question my sexuality when I was in middle school and completely ignored myself since I didn’t understand what was going on and or why I was so different. I decide to transition around 21. This was after several years of being in the gay scene. I was dressing up and doing shows. I, naturally without even thinking about it, always preferred to dress up when I went out. It took awhile before it all clicked and made sense. By 19, I had already been exposed to transgender women at clubs but never made the connection. I was too busy enjoying my new freedom.
EYESTRANE: I understand you were in the service. Was that a rough time for you?
YASMIN: It was at first. Physically, I kicked ass and mentally, I can put myself in a head space to deal with highly stressful situations. Though that was pretty irrelevant since I went into the Navy. Service was a black and white movie in my head except for three occasions. Boot camp, when my ship crashed in the middle of the pacific, and when I was honorably discharged from service after almost two years. I wasn’t ready to deal with the politic and the BS behind the BS-ing. I was sexually harassed by one person and decide to challenge the “don’t ask, don’t tell”…. I learned later that the “don’t ask” don’t get punished, but only the “don’t tell” do…. my department really liked me and asked me to please retract my complaint and said they would even transfer me. When so much was taken from you and then they ask you for fairness. If they can’t give that, then I need to move on.
EYESTRANE: Your brother was also in the service, I believe, and was a hero whose life was tragically taken. Can you tell us about him?
YASMIN: My little brothers and I always talked about this growing up. One third of our countrymen died because of pure stupidity so we felt really fortunate to be alive. We knew, at a very young age, of our gratitude toward America. My brother joined the marines by the time I was already out and I begged him to go into the air force or navy. He was among the first troops in Afghanistan on his 4th tour. His vehicle was bombed. My other, younger brother, decided to go get his degree first before going into law enforcement and onward to the FBI. My older brother could never adjust from being in the camps. He had it the hardest adjusting socially. It finally caught up with him and he passed six months ago. Too complicated to go into details.
EYESTRANE: Your and your family are very tight-knit and close. You are also known to be very loyal to your friends and you stick to your convictions. Is this a matter of how you were raised?
YASMIN: We all look for deeper purpose in life through religion and in believing that God created us. That is always debatable. The only thing that flows through me with absolute certainty is that I exist because of my parents. They are my Gods. We don’t show much emotion in our family of ten siblings. Growing up, there was no hugs or kisses. Our love and appreciation for each other was so deep that those secondary expressions were just silly. I didn’t hear the words “I love you” from my parents until the last few years. With everyone growing older and leaving the nest they finally feel enough distance to share those words.
YASMIN: It was at first. Physically, I kicked ass and mentally, I can put myself in a head space to deal with highly stressful situations. Though that was pretty irrelevant since I went into the Navy. Service was a black and white movie in my head except for three occasions. Boot camp, when my ship crashed in the middle of the pacific, and when I was honorably discharged from service after almost two years. I wasn’t ready to deal with the politic and the BS behind the BS-ing. I was sexually harassed by one person and decide to challenge the “don’t ask, don’t tell”…. I learned later that the “don’t ask” don’t get punished, but only the “don’t tell” do…. my department really liked me and asked me to please retract my complaint and said they would even transfer me. When so much was taken from you and then they ask you for fairness. If they can’t give that, then I need to move on.
EYESTRANE: Your brother was also in the service, I believe, and was a hero whose life was tragically taken. Can you tell us about him?
YASMIN: My little brothers and I always talked about this growing up. One third of our countrymen died because of pure stupidity so we felt really fortunate to be alive. We knew, at a very young age, of our gratitude toward America. My brother joined the marines by the time I was already out and I begged him to go into the air force or navy. He was among the first troops in Afghanistan on his 4th tour. His vehicle was bombed. My other, younger brother, decided to go get his degree first before going into law enforcement and onward to the FBI. My older brother could never adjust from being in the camps. He had it the hardest adjusting socially. It finally caught up with him and he passed six months ago. Too complicated to go into details.
EYESTRANE: Your and your family are very tight-knit and close. You are also known to be very loyal to your friends and you stick to your convictions. Is this a matter of how you were raised?
YASMIN: We all look for deeper purpose in life through religion and in believing that God created us. That is always debatable. The only thing that flows through me with absolute certainty is that I exist because of my parents. They are my Gods. We don’t show much emotion in our family of ten siblings. Growing up, there was no hugs or kisses. Our love and appreciation for each other was so deep that those secondary expressions were just silly. I didn’t hear the words “I love you” from my parents until the last few years. With everyone growing older and leaving the nest they finally feel enough distance to share those words.
EYESTRANE: How did you begin in the adult industry?
YASMIN: I was fortunate enough to be taken in by some amazing artists and was doing make up in the mainstream media right away. I was with the Pussycat Dolls before they were even famous and Paris Hilton when she was still driving her Acura and getting, I think, $5000 a month allowance. When I first moved to Los Angeles we were also pitching the concept of a make over show to Viacom. They didn’t think America would be ready to accept GLBT in mainstream. As for Adult, my friend SU from anabolic ask me to help her out getting the girls ready for their shoot and also to kick start their TS line. After some hard times dealing with some of the girls because they were either flaky or just because there were drama issues, I decided to cast myself. I was telling everyone, st8 and TS how to do it so I thought I might as well do it myself.
YASMIN: I was fortunate enough to be taken in by some amazing artists and was doing make up in the mainstream media right away. I was with the Pussycat Dolls before they were even famous and Paris Hilton when she was still driving her Acura and getting, I think, $5000 a month allowance. When I first moved to Los Angeles we were also pitching the concept of a make over show to Viacom. They didn’t think America would be ready to accept GLBT in mainstream. As for Adult, my friend SU from anabolic ask me to help her out getting the girls ready for their shoot and also to kick start their TS line. After some hard times dealing with some of the girls because they were either flaky or just because there were drama issues, I decided to cast myself. I was telling everyone, st8 and TS how to do it so I thought I might as well do it myself.
EYESTRANE: Aside from you, of course, who do you feel are the leading performers in the TS adult industry today?
YASMIN: She’s new, but Ava Lin. She’s just naturally kinky and will do well. Mia Isabelle is so smart on marketing herself out there… I guess I had always hesitated to put both feet in since I wasn’t sure I was gonna continue in the future. After a while it was more about the relationships I built with the producers and directors that I keep on shooting.
EYESTRANE: You played a Succubus in the film, Red Ice. What did you think when you were first approached to play a Succubus and how was the experience shooting on this film?
YASMIN: Well, production knew who I was and they were looking for someone with a very strong camera presence. I couldn’t say no with with the pay they offered. The role was amazing for me. The succubus gender was not mentioned. She is simply a master of seduction, using her sexuality and power over men and women to play with and kill. It was amazing working for this crew. They were so amazingly sweet and nice. They really went out of their way for me.
EYESTRANE: Can you tell us how you were first approached to audition for The Hangover Part II?
YASMIN: Well, production knew who I was and they were looking for someone with a very strong camera presence. I couldn’t say no with with the pay they offered. The role was amazing for me. The succubus gender was not mentioned. She is simply a master of seduction, using her sexuality and power over men and women to play with and kill. It was amazing working for this crew. They were so amazingly sweet and nice. They really went out of their way for me.
EYESTRANE: Can you tell us how you were first approached to audition for The Hangover Part II?
YASMIN: I think they saw me on IMDb then searched for me on Myspace and emailed me there as well as another email I had. They didn’t tell me what it was at first and only asked me if I was interested in auditioning. Once I said yes, they emailed me the script. I went in a few times, last time was reading for the director. He later contacted me saying that it’s down to me and a few girls. There was already so many flown in from all around the world to read for this and I didn’t think I even had a chance. Then later they told me I almost got it but the final decision would be made once they checked out the girls in Thailand and a few more when back in town. Then he called me again saying that I got it but asked me to please act very surprise when casting called to tell me tomorrow. By the time I was cast, I felt like I already worked and should be paid (laughs).
EYESTRANE: Were you nervous? Did you practice your lines in front of the mirror?
YASMIN:I practiced with my friends many of whom are actors and directors, with my friend Michael who’s a comedian and my underage nieces. And the list goes on and on. When it was time for it I went through so many variations of how the lines could be executed that the only thing I needed to focus on was what I thought the director wanted. All the boys were great and big supporters. especially Mr. Chow. If you ever need a friend to boost your self-esteem, he’s your man.
EYESTRANE: How do you think the character you played, Kimmy, was viewed by the general audience?
YASMIN: Another transsexual and a situation that is funny because it’s reality. This is Thailand! The situation is the comedy but I have to say that my lines will be quoted and remembered. About that I’m extremely honored. The general audience, whether they like it or not, will confront something that they otherwise did not think about. Like it or not, it’s talked about.
EYESTRANE: Your character, Kimmy, has created awareness of inequality issues and you are, in fact, a big advocate for education in the community and a strong voice of the transgender community in regard to civil liberties. You were approached by the ACLU at one point, what was the position for?
EYESTRANE: Were you nervous? Did you practice your lines in front of the mirror?
YASMIN:I practiced with my friends many of whom are actors and directors, with my friend Michael who’s a comedian and my underage nieces. And the list goes on and on. When it was time for it I went through so many variations of how the lines could be executed that the only thing I needed to focus on was what I thought the director wanted. All the boys were great and big supporters. especially Mr. Chow. If you ever need a friend to boost your self-esteem, he’s your man.
EYESTRANE: How do you think the character you played, Kimmy, was viewed by the general audience?
YASMIN: Another transsexual and a situation that is funny because it’s reality. This is Thailand! The situation is the comedy but I have to say that my lines will be quoted and remembered. About that I’m extremely honored. The general audience, whether they like it or not, will confront something that they otherwise did not think about. Like it or not, it’s talked about.
EYESTRANE: Your character, Kimmy, has created awareness of inequality issues and you are, in fact, a big advocate for education in the community and a strong voice of the transgender community in regard to civil liberties. You were approached by the ACLU at one point, what was the position for?
YASMIN: In fighting for equality you have to first let the world know you exist. You can then express your concerns and problems, it goes into a public debate, and that’s when you stand tall, and fight back. We have this idea in our head that in order to win the world over we have to have the role models by their set of standards. I say we should just be open books. Yes, there are issues but if you read the last chapter you know how we got here. I was a speaking for ACLU NExt… a division focusing on the next generation of civil liberty fighters. I was later nominated to be voted on as a board of director of Southern California and I’m honored to be a part of this. I have to say it’s a lot of reading though.
EYESTRANE: You also recently went to court to have your name and gender permanently changed. Were you successful?
YASMIN:I like to call this moment the day I went in to court and had my period. I walked out a woman.
EYESTRANE: Why do you think, in countries like Thailand, that transgendered people are more accepted?
YASMIN: Poverty, which leads to sex work. Once exposed, the only variable needed in the equation is time. The result is you either live with it or learn to co-exist.
EYESTRANE: What do you think of Donald Trump’s decision to let Canadian transsexual beauty queen Jenna Talackova compete in the Miss Universe contests?
YASMIN: I think that it’s great. I’m so excited. I didn’t watch all the previous competitions but I will watch this one. As for Trump, I have a feeling it’s more on the business end. It’s controversy for this event and imagine how many will tune in now since it’s in every news outlet. Whatever the undertone is, I’m just glad cause here we are again exposed to the world, which will lead to discussion, fights, and ultimately progress.
EYESTRANE: You also recently went to court to have your name and gender permanently changed. Were you successful?
YASMIN:I like to call this moment the day I went in to court and had my period. I walked out a woman.
EYESTRANE: Why do you think, in countries like Thailand, that transgendered people are more accepted?
YASMIN: Poverty, which leads to sex work. Once exposed, the only variable needed in the equation is time. The result is you either live with it or learn to co-exist.
EYESTRANE: What do you think of Donald Trump’s decision to let Canadian transsexual beauty queen Jenna Talackova compete in the Miss Universe contests?
YASMIN: I think that it’s great. I’m so excited. I didn’t watch all the previous competitions but I will watch this one. As for Trump, I have a feeling it’s more on the business end. It’s controversy for this event and imagine how many will tune in now since it’s in every news outlet. Whatever the undertone is, I’m just glad cause here we are again exposed to the world, which will lead to discussion, fights, and ultimately progress.
EYESTRANE: 2011 was an exciting year for you. Your career skyrocketed in the mainstream and you were honored with two AVN nominations, started a new company, and bought your first house. What are you going to do to top all that in 2012?
YASMIN: I wouldn’t say skyrocketed…though it was very fun to be made a big deal of by paparazzi when out and about and my several appearances on TMZ…. it’s unfortunate for our community since there are very limited if almost zero roles written to include transgender. So I remain unemployed until the few projects I have been asked to work on go into production. My manager wanted me to do all the club promo appearances and though it’s great money, I kinda left that club life a few years back. Yes, it’s awesome to own a home. Everyone’s dream. Though here in America, it’s more like lend since you have property tax till the end of time. As for my business, it’s in the jewelry market. I’m keeping my identity separate since we all know not everyone will find my life okay. I’m putting too much time and money into this and I have to be a business person before and an activist second in this case.
EYESTRANE: Aside from watching yourself in your movies what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
YASMIN: (Laughs) I don’t really watch myself on movies, though I think the invention of Netflix completes me. Then it completes me again when I can just stream it directly on my TV. I been playing WII a lot (tennis). I find myself playing World of Warcraft less and less… I love it but don’t have the time. I paint still and I am working on putting up all original art work around the house. A lot of work since it’s a lot of house. I enjoy going to movies, dinner, theatre, and still hope to backpack in Europe some day. I need to find time for it.
EYESTRANE: Where can we go to find out more about you?
YASMIN: I’m on Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter.
YASMIN: I wouldn’t say skyrocketed…though it was very fun to be made a big deal of by paparazzi when out and about and my several appearances on TMZ…. it’s unfortunate for our community since there are very limited if almost zero roles written to include transgender. So I remain unemployed until the few projects I have been asked to work on go into production. My manager wanted me to do all the club promo appearances and though it’s great money, I kinda left that club life a few years back. Yes, it’s awesome to own a home. Everyone’s dream. Though here in America, it’s more like lend since you have property tax till the end of time. As for my business, it’s in the jewelry market. I’m keeping my identity separate since we all know not everyone will find my life okay. I’m putting too much time and money into this and I have to be a business person before and an activist second in this case.
EYESTRANE: Aside from watching yourself in your movies what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
YASMIN: (Laughs) I don’t really watch myself on movies, though I think the invention of Netflix completes me. Then it completes me again when I can just stream it directly on my TV. I been playing WII a lot (tennis). I find myself playing World of Warcraft less and less… I love it but don’t have the time. I paint still and I am working on putting up all original art work around the house. A lot of work since it’s a lot of house. I enjoy going to movies, dinner, theatre, and still hope to backpack in Europe some day. I need to find time for it.
EYESTRANE: Where can we go to find out more about you?
YASMIN: I’m on Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter.
Yasmin’s big reveal scene in The Hangover Part II.
About the author
The now-defunct website Eyestrane.com featured many interviews with some very notable ladies. Since said interviews were too good to go unseen after the site was shut down in August of 2014, former Eyestrane editor-in-chief Tom Heckbert has graciously agreed to occasionally resurrect some from his archived files for republication here at Idol Features. Tom and his former staff at Eyestrane always maintained a deep respect for the talent and creativity of the people they interviewed for the site.
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