Caitlyn Jenner's interview inspired Sophia Hutchins to undergo gender transition long before they met: 'It made it more real'
Sophia Hutchins, who has formed an inseparable bond with Caitlyn Jenner, says she was inspired by the former Olympian to undergo her physical transition long before they were introduced to each other by their makeup artist.
Three years ago, Hutchins was still referred to by her Pepperdine University schoolmates as Scott. However, not long after, she decided to take time off school and focus on her transition, an IBT report claimed. Now, the 23-year-old trans woman is proudly going by her new assumed name 'Sophia'.
Before completing the procedure, Hutchins told the school newspaper in 2016 that he was taking a leave of absence for the semester in order to complete his gender transition. While he preferred the use of male pronouns at the time, he clarified that some major changes were about to happen when he would resume school in the fall of 2017.
Scott also claimed that at the time his physical transformation was largely inspired by Caitlyn’s '20/20' interview with Diane Sawyer in 2015, which saw the newly transformed Jenner passionately reveal that she was now "a woman."
“For all intents and purposes I’m a woman,” said Caitlyn, who was still known as Bruce then. “I look at it this way – Bruce always telling a lie. He’s lived a lie his whole life about who he is. And I can’t do that any longer. My brain is much more female than it is male. It’s hard for people to understand that, but that’s what my soul is.”
Hutchins said the '20/20' special gave her the conviction she needed to go through with the final steps of her transformation, for which she even broke off from her family.
"The interview made it so much more real, like normal and successful people do this and people are OK when they do it,” Hutchins said. “Everyone has their own reasons for not being out,” Hutchins said. “I really want to be their voice, normalize the issue, and let people know who are struggling that they are not alone.”
Now, Hutchins is living her dream as a trans woman, especially after getting to be with Caitlyn — the role model who motivated her every step of the way. The duo, who already live together, are working towards several causes for the welfare of the LGBT+ community. Furthermore, Hutchins is also helping the former athlete manage her businesses after majoring in finance.
Hutchins and Caitlyn have been joined to the hip ever since the former moved into the 'I am Cait' star's sprawling $3.5 million residence in Malibu last year. They are frequently spotted on dinner dates and even celebrated Valentine's together this year. While there's a lot of speculation about the nature of their relationship, the pair have maintained they are "just business partners" but share a close bond.
Earlier this month, Hutchins raised eyebrows after her 23rd birthday party when she apparently called Jenner her "loving partner" in an emotional post about who she chooses to surround herself with, especially after her transition.
On her special day, Caitlyn wished Hutchins with an Instagram post of her own. "Happy Birthday to my little Sophia! It was a great night last night," she wrote. "So few candles." In response, the birthday girl thanked her "babe" for her endearing wishes.
While the pair have been living together for a while, they refuse to admit they are in a romantic relationship. "I wouldn't describe it as a romantic relationship," Hutchins said during an interview on 'The Hidden Truth' with Jim Breslo last October. "I would describe our relationship as we're partners, we're business partners, I'm the executive director of her foundation."
"We're partners in everything we do, we're inseparable, we're business partners, we live together, we share a dog, we share family, we share a life together," she continued. "I would not use the word 'girlfriend,' I would not use the word 'dating.' We're partners."
Hutchins also explained how being with Jenner has helped her grow and mature as a person. "We have so much in common; we see the world so similarly and we both are such a good match for each because we challenge each other," she said. "She challenges me in so many ways, has allowed me to grow in so many ways and I hope I challenge her to grow and I think because we share so many of the same passions and views, it's just a great match, a great partnership."
Hutchins also added that their age difference doesn't really factor into their relationship as their souls are "a fantastic match for one another."
"I feel that we’re so blessed to have found each other and to be so supportive of one another in everything that we do,” Hutchins said. “I feel beyond blessed that we’ve been able to keep it going for the time we’ve been able to keep it going. I don’t think of the age difference as anything… for us, it’s not even a factor.”
The unconventional duo first sparked rumors of a growing romance after Caitlyn brought Hutchins along as her plus-one to the 2018 ESPY Awards.
The alleged couple has since been through a lot. In November, they had to evacuate their Malibu home after it was threatened by the deadly California wildfires. Nonetheless, they returned to their home soon after getting the all-clear from authorities and celebrated their first Christmas together.