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Lana Wachowski formerly known as Larry Wachowski | Lilly Wachowski formerly known as Andy Wachowski | Source: Getty Images
Lana Wachowski formerly known as Larry Wachowski | Lilly Wachowski formerly known as Andy Wachowski | Source: Getty Images

Inside the Lives of the Wachowski Brothers before Transitioning and Now

Christell Fatima M. Tudtud
Aug 29, 2023
12:15 P.M.

The Wachowski brothers' transformative journey—both then and now—has captivated fans. Now recognized as Lilly and Lana, the siblings embrace their authentic selves after transitioning in the 2010s.

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Larry and Andy Wachowski achieved renown in pop culture with their enduring trilogy, "The Matrix." Despite undergoing a transition over a decade ago, the siblings' brilliance continues to shine prominently within the industry.

Embracing their femininity, Larry has adopted the name Lana, while Andy now goes by Lilly. While not much is known about their current lives, it's clear that they are thoroughly enjoying their newfound freedom and authenticity.

Lilly and Lana Wachowski before transitioning in Los Angeles, California, in March 1999. | Source: Getty Images

Lilly and Lana Wachowski before transitioning in Los Angeles, California, in March 1999. | Source: Getty Images

Lana Wachowski's Coming-Out Story

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Lana Wachowski, formerly known as Larry, was the first to transition. After years of speculation and rumors about a possible transition, Lana made her first public appearance as a transgender woman in July 2012.

That October, Lana, who became the first major Hollywood director to come out as transgender, received the Visibility Award at the Human Rights Campaign's gala dinner and delivered an empowering speech about growing up transgender.

One of the things Lana said was that a nun at her Catholic school hit her after she didn't join a line of boys – she just stood between the boys and the girls as some "unconscious part" of her considered that's where she belonged.

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Years passed, and Lana and Lilly Wachowski started a construction business but never stopped writing scripts. After a while, Lana began feeling less like Larry.

However, the idea of coming out to her family terrified her, so, that with her therapist, she developed a plan where preparing for the big moment would take between three and five years.

A few weeks into the plan, though, her mom called. Lana confessed her biggest fear was losing her family, so when they all accepted her, the rest was "a piece of cake."

Lana and Lilly Wachowski (formerly known as Larry and Andy) attend a screening of Jupiter Ascending at AMC River East Theater on February 4, 2015, in Chicago, Illinois. | Source: Getty Images

Lana and Lilly Wachowski (formerly known as Larry and Andy) attend a screening of Jupiter Ascending at AMC River East Theater on February 4, 2015, in Chicago, Illinois. | Source: Getty Images

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Lilly Wachowski's Coming-Out Story

In March 2016, Lilly Wachowski, formerly known as Andy, came out as a transgender woman. In a statement, Lilly admitted she and her sister had been avoiding the press but knew she would have to come out in public eventually.

Lilly added she had been waiting for the headline, "Wachowski Brothers Now Sisters," with "dread and/or eye-rolling exasperation," especially because the news almost came out a few times in the past.

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The director's agent received emails from reporters asking for statements regarding the "Andy Wachowski transition" piece they were about to post, but nobody ever fulfilled those threats of outing her.

Lilly Wachowski's wife, Alisa Blasingame, apparently accepted her partner's transition.

One day before Lilly came out, a journalist from an English news service confronted her at her own home. He told her she needed to talk to him about her "inspirational" story.

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Lilly said that hiding was difficult as an out transgender person, and she had not come out before because she needed time to get her "head right." She added:

"But apparently, I don't get to decide this […] So yeah, I'm transgender. And yeah, I've transitioned."

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The Wachowski Siblings' Romantic Relationships

Lilly Wachowski's wife, Alisa Blasingame, apparently accepted her partner's transition. The filmmaker said everyone was "cool" with her coming out and that she would not be "where I am today" without the love and support of her wife, friends, and family.

It is unclear if Lilly and Alisa are still together, especially because Lilly revealed in 2019 that she was in a relationship with a transgender man and professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago named Mickey Ray Mahoney.

Lilly Wachowski (formerly known as Andy) and Lana Wachowski (formerly known as Larry) attend the 2nd Annual Australians in Film Awards Gala at Intercontinental Hotel on October 24, 2013, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Lilly Wachowski (formerly known as Andy) and Lana Wachowski (formerly known as Larry) attend the 2nd Annual Australians in Film Awards Gala at Intercontinental Hotel on October 24, 2013, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

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Lana Wachowski's former wife is Karin Winslow who she married in 2009. Since the Wachowskis like to keep most details of their personal lives away from the spotlight, little is known about their current partners.

What is clear, though, is that Karin was not Lana's first wife. Lana was first married to Thea Bloom in October 1993, but Thea filed for divorce in December 2002.

Lilly Wachowski arrives at the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 2, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Lilly Wachowski arrives at the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 2, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

At the time, Thea admitted that their separation was based on "very intimate circumstances" she didn't want to explain as she tried to respect Lana's privacy. Despite his past marriage, Lana remains dedicated to elevating her presence in the film industry.

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Lana has worked on various films, including "The Matrix 4," which starred several actors, including Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Ann Moss and Priyanka Chopra. Meanwhile, Lilly has been known for her role as a showrunner and writer of "Work in Progress."

Lana Wachowski attends a screening of Jupiter Ascending at AMC River East Theater on February 4, 2015, in Chicago, Illinois. | Source: Getty Images

Lana Wachowski attends a screening of Jupiter Ascending at AMC River East Theater on February 4, 2015, in Chicago, Illinois. | Source: Getty Images

Lana Wachowski's Life Now

While her Twitter account exists, Lana's presence on the platform remains notably quiet. However, she makes her mark on different red-carpet events, gracing occasions with her distinctive style and presence.

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Lana's notable appearances include gracing the Berlin Fashion Week in Germany in July 2023 and attending "The Matrix Resurrections" premiere screening in December 2021 in San Francisco, California.

Lana Wachowski attend the fashion presentation for Esther Perbandt x AchtBerlin 'Concrete Jungle' during the Berlin Fashion Week SS24 on July 12, 2023, in Berlin, Germany. | Source: Getty Images

Lana Wachowski attend the fashion presentation for Esther Perbandt x AchtBerlin 'Concrete Jungle' during the Berlin Fashion Week SS24 on July 12, 2023, in Berlin, Germany. | Source: Getty Images

For Lana, directing "The Matrix Resurrections" was a significant achievement, given her sister Lilly's absence from the project. Reflecting on the making of the movie, Lana revealed that it was an organic process, not premeditated or orchestrated.

The film's creation became a personal endeavor, a way for Lana to navigate grief and reconnect with the past. The experience of bringing together a team that knew her parents gave the project a sense of reunion and shared history.

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Lana Wachowski attends "The Matrix Resurrections" Red Carpet U.S. Premiere Screening at The Castro Theatre on December 18, 2021 in San Francisco, California. | Source: Getty Images

Lana Wachowski attends "The Matrix Resurrections" Red Carpet U.S. Premiere Screening at The Castro Theatre on December 18, 2021 in San Francisco, California. | Source: Getty Images

Lilly Wachowski's Life Now

Celebrated for her directorial brilliance, Lilly Wachowski has embraced a multifaceted role as an advocate, mentor, and creative trailblazer. She uses her Twitter page as a platform for addressing urgent political concerns and promoting trans rights.

In a rare interview, Lilly spoke about mentoring emerging trans filmmakers of color and guiding the LGBTQ+ storytellers of tomorrow. Notably, she opted out of "The Matrix 4," directed solely by her sister Lana.

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During a Television Critics Association Summer Tour virtual panel, Lilly discussed her decision to seek personal renewal after intense projects like "Cloud Atlas," "Jupiter Ascending," and the first season of "Sense8." This period of rest facilitated creative growth through painting and study.

Lilly Wachowski attends the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards on April 2, 2022, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Lilly Wachowski attends the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards on April 2, 2022, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Despite stepping back, Lilly's industry involvement continues. Recently, she joined a podcast with esteemed storytellers Craig Mazin and Jason Blum, delving into solutions for industry challenges and their future trajectory.

Lana and Lilly, along with Elliot Page, Zaya Wade, and Kim Petras, stand proudly as celebrities who embrace their sexuality. Through their remarkable achievements, the Wachowskis have consistently shattered barriers and paved the way for greater acceptance and understanding.

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