Geena Rocero’s memoir, Horse Barbie, is like a warm conversation with a friend over coffee and there's something distinctly Filipino that resonates on the page. Her Filipino heritage shines through her writing. It’s like she’s inviting you to sit down at the family dinner table, sharing stories from her heart. Her voice feels genuine, unfiltered, and relatable. You can almost smell the adobo simmering in the background.

Rocero’s journey as a trans woman, model, and activist is a rich mosaic of moments from the Phillippines to the United States and abroad. But it’s not just about her— her mosaic is richly expanded by all the trans women in her stories who’ve danced their way through life, facing both joy and struggle. She lays bare her experiences—the raw emotions, the victories, and the scars. It’s like she’s whispering secrets in your ear. You feel her vulnerability, and it’s a reminder that strength isn’t about being invincible; it’s about being resilient.

I find Horse Barbie to be powerful because Rocero simply shares her story without trying to impress or dazzle us as readers. As I read through the book, I'm drawn to the intriguing tidbits and artifacts she includes like breadcrumbs for us to discover. Those breadcrumbs—headlines, photoshoot descriptions—are like digital footprints. They lead you beyond the pages. Suddenly, you’re Googling her first photoshoot, scrolling through TED talks, and watching Sense8 intros. Rocero’s story spills into your world.

Horse Barbie isn’t an escape—it’s an embrace. You’re not fleeing reality; you’re diving deeper into it. Rocero’s words become companions, walking beside you as you navigate your own journey. Representation matters, and she delivers it with grace.