Proud mom Alexis Bellino lovingly introduced her son Miles to the world, revealing the teen has transitioned.
“The Real Housewives of Orange County” alum, who often spoke of her strong religious beliefs on the show, shared the news with her 348,000 Instagram followers on Tuesday night alongside a sweet snap of the pair.
The 45-year-old said her 15-year-old son asked her to share the news on his behalf, before revealing her initial reaction to Miles’ decision.
“Hey world, this is Miles. My transgender son. He’s now 15 yrs old, so he’s seen the questions and comments made about him on my IG,” Bellino wrote.
“I had stopped posting for the past few months due to this transition in Miles’ life, but he’s now ready to ‘come out’ and to use this platform to stop any hate or questions,” she explained. “I refused him for a while, but now I know Miles truly wants this. He’s tired of the misgendering and confusion people have, so we are setting the record straight and hopefully bringing clarity.”
The reality TV star, who shares three children with her ex-husband Jim Bellino, praised her son’s courage for transitioning 16 months ago and choosing to live his truth.
“I cannot imagine the strength and courage it took for my baby to do this, but I’m extremely proud of him and I want everyone to understand that love doesn’t change in these situations,” she said. “Miles came out as a transgender boy to me over 16 months ago. He hid it from everyone else for a while, but eventually he got to where we are right now. TO HIS FREEDOM! My son has now flourished!! My son now smiles naturally for the first time in years!”
Bellino, who appeared on the hit Bravo show from Season 5 through 8, says her son finally “loves the clothes he wears.”
“My son can breathe knowing he can be his true self. My son lights up every single time a stranger calls him ‘he.’ My son runs with the boys. My son can actually FEEL. My son can live life now with his true self,” she added.
“I’m so proud of Miles for wanting to stop the hate, and for being brave enough to step forward at such a young age. He now has his entire life to live the way he should.”
Bellino warned that any haters who comment negatively about the news will be “instantly blocked.”
“We are all human and we are ALL equal. I am 100% fully supportive of my son. I hope you will be too,” she added.
Bellino finalized her divorce with her ex-husband in 2018 after 13 years of marriage. She is now engaged to boyfriend Andy Bohn.