MANILA, Philippines – A motel chain heir and prominent car enthusiast created a buzz in the local fashion and automobile industries over the weekend after coming out as a transgender woman.
A report on SPOT.ph said model and host Joey Mead’s husband, Victoria Court managing director Ian King, has come out as Angelina Mead King.
Angelina posted a photo on her Instagram account showing her and Joey with the caption “Freedom.”
Angelina’s father is Archimedes King, owner of the Victoria Court chain of motels, who died in a plane crash in July last year.
The couple, married in November 2011, will reportedly release a statement soon.
Upon hearing the news, their closest friends, including former beauty queen Maggie Wilson and motoring journalist James Deakin, offered words of encouragement.
“So one of the car guys I look up to the most is now a woman,” Deakin said in a Facebook post.
“Hey, if you ain’t hurting anyone and it makes you happy, it’s all the same to me. Good luck, Ian/Angie,” he added.
Angelina’s journey as a trans woman is documented in her second Instagram account, @hailtothe_queen_, which has been active since 2012.
She only posted a photo with Joey, whom she called her “rock and number one supporter,” on Saturday. Prior to that, she was seen posting photos of herself in various outfits.