Cocona Announces Transmasculine Identity and Top Surgery Journey
Introduction to Cocona's Announcement
Cocona, the 20-year-old rapper from the group XG, publicly shared their identity as transmasculine and nonbinary in a heartfelt Instagram post. Assigned female at birth, Cocona revealed that the female label never aligned with their true self. Instead, they embrace a masculinity that feels authentic and freeing.
Journey of Self-Acceptance
Marking a significant personal milestone, Cocona disclosed undergoing top surgery earlier this year, a step towards aligning their physical appearance with their gender identity. They described this process as challenging yet essential for opening a new chapter of self-acceptance and growth. The rapper also expressed gratitude towards their bandmates, family, and producers for their unwavering support during this journey.
Impact and Hope
By sharing their story, Cocona hopes to inspire others grappling with gender identity to find courage and self-love. Their openness serves as a beacon for anyone seeking affirmation beyond traditional gender binaries, emphasizing the importance of living authentically and with pride.
About the People Mentioned
Cocona
Cocona Hiraki is a Japanese professional skateboarder from Tomakomai, Hokkaido, known for her remarkable achievements in women's park skateboarding. She began skateboarding at age five and rapidly rose to prominence in the sport. At just 10 years old, she made her global competition debut, finishing seventh at the 2018 World Skateboarding Championship. She became the youngest X Games medalist in history by winning silver in the women's park event at the X Games Minneapolis 2019, shortly before her 11th birthday. Cocona gained international recognition by winning a silver medal in the women's park event at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics at age 12, setting the record as the youngest Japanese athlete to compete and medal in a Summer Olympics. She followed this with continued success, including a gold medal at the 2023 World Skateboarding Championship in Ostia, Rome, and a gold at the X Games Japan 2023. She also secured a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, making her a two-time Olympic silver medalist. Known for her classic pool skating style with technical tricks like tail slides and backside nosegrind pop-ins, Cocona has been a dominant figure in international skateboarding competitions. She has held multiple records, including the youngest person to medal in two different Summer Olympics and the youngest Japanese athlete to participate and medal in the Summer Olympics. As of mid-2024, she was ranked first in the World Skateboarding Ranking for women's park events, reflecting her ongoing relevance and status at the top of her sport. Signed with Monster Energy, Cocona continues to compete actively and is regarded as one of the leading young talents in skateboarding worldwide.
About the Organizations Mentioned
XG
XG (Xtraordinary Girls) is a Japanese seven-member girl group based in South Korea, formed by XGALX, a subsidiary of Avex. The group debuted on March 18, 2022, with their digital single "Tippy Toes," after training for five years starting in 2017. Their music style is a blend of hip-hop and R&B with a concept of empowerment and boundary-defying performances aimed at inspiring a global audience. The group consists of Jurin, Chisa, Hinata, Juria, Cocona, Maya, and Harvey[1][2][4]. XG has distinguished itself with a unique genre called X-POP, symbolizing music that transcends cultural borders. Their commitment to innovation is reflected in their global approach, including collaborations such as the 2024 single "Undefeated" with Riot Games for the popular game Valorant. That same year, they embarked on their first world tour, "The first HOWL," covering around 30 cities across Asia, North America, and Europe, signaling their rising international presence[2][3]. A major milestone was the release of their second mini-album, "AWE," in November 2024, which marked their first entry on the prestigious US Billboard 200 album chart—a significant achievement for a Japanese girl group. Further elevating their profile, XG was announced as the sole Japanese artist performing at the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, one of the world's largest music festivals. They also plan to release their first full-length album in January 2026, preceded by the single "Gala"[2][3]. Notably, member Cocona publicly shared their identity as AFAB transmasculine and non-binary in December 2025, highlighting the group's supportive and inclusive culture[2][4]. XG represents a pioneering force in global pop music, blending cultural influences, cutting-edge sound, and social empowerment, making
