Antzela Giannou

Antzela Giannou was a Greek performer and media personality who became one of the country's most recognizable transgender public figures. She first entered show business during the mid-1970s, appearing in a number of Greek adult films. Her striking screen presence and feminine appearance attracted attention from audiences and helped establish her public profile. She later gained widespread publicity through frequent appearances on Greek television, becoming a familiar face on talk and entertainment programs during the 1990s. At the height of her popularity, she appeared on major television shows and became a regular guest on programs such as Erotodikeio (1997). In 1999, she further expanded her public visibility when she appeared on the cover of Playboy Greece, a highly discussed event at the time. Giannou also pursued a career in music, encouraged by singer-songwriter Stamatis Gonidis, who wrote the song "Eimai i gynaika tou 2010" for her. Remembered by friends and colleagues for her warm personality, she remained a distinctive presence in Greek popular culture and LGBTQ+ visibility during a period when transgender figures rarely received mainstream media attention.