Andrej Pejic, a successful international model who became famous in 2011 when she walked in both men’s and women’s fashion shows for Jean Paul-Gaultier, has announced that she underwent gender reassignment surgery earlier this year.

Speaking to People magazine, the androgynous model, who has kept her transition private until now, explained how she will now go by the name of Andreja – not much of a change then.

“I hope that by being open about this, it becomes less of an issue”, the 22 year-old told the publication.

Pejic has appeared on the covers of Out, New York and Elle magazines and more notably, was listed on FHMs annual 100 Sexiest Women in the World list. She told the magazine at the time, “For me it’s always been important to show it doesn’t matter what gender you are, it doesn’t define who you are”.

While Pejic experienced success as a male model, she said she “knew deep down she was a woman” since age 13, and had “danced in her mother’s skirt trying to look like a ballerina”.

Earlier this year, Pejic was cast in Sofia Coppola’s live action version of the classic Disney film, The Little Mermaid, in which she will play one of Ariel’s sisters.