“Papillon: Né garçon. Devenue femme. Élue Miss Trans,” co-written by Louïz and Florence Bouté under the direction of Frédéric Veille, is a moving autobiographical work that reads like both a confession and a celebration. The title alone, with its image of the butterfly finally taking flight, captures the book’s essence: transformation, liberation, and beauty born of struggle. It is the story of Louïz, born Jovani Louise on the island of La Réunion, who knew from childhood that her reflection held a truth she could not yet live. The book traces her journey from a shy boy who preferred dancing to football to a confident woman crowned Miss Trans France, an artist who sings, dances, choreographs, and inspires.
The story begins with a striking image: a New Year’s Eve party, a costume, and a mirror. Jovani’s friends, in the playful spirit of the holiday, suggest he dress as Rihanna. As he looks at his reflection in the mirror, the laughter dies down, and something profound happens. The disguise becomes revelation. In that reflection, Jovani recognizes herself, the woman who has always been there, waiting to be acknowledged. That instant marks the birth of Louïz, though the road ahead will still be long and hard.
Dance became her refuge. She started a troupe, created musicals like “Robin des Bois,” “Le Lycanthrope,” and “Superstar Tribute,” and found her confidence on stage. One of her shows, “La Genèse de Dracula,” won the prize for Best Musical at Les Voix de l’Océan Indien, marking a turning point in her creative life. Behind the curtain, however, her inner transformation was just beginning.
The transition process, which started in 2017, was not easy. Louïz describes the challenges of hormone therapy and the emotional turbulence that came with medication. Yet she also writes about solidarity, her friends who stayed, her family who embraced her, and her own determination to live as her true self. While working at La Cité des Arts de La Réunion on an educational project that brought classical music to children who had never held an instrument, she found peace and purpose. Step by step, the administrative battles followed: court hearings, paperwork, endless explanations. When her name and gender were finally recognized, she felt the weight of years lift off her shoulders. She was, officially and spiritually, herself.
The publication of “Papillon” marks another chapter in her journey, one that merges art and activism. Written with journalist Florence Bouté, the book dives deep into her memories and emotions, offering both vulnerability and empowerment. Louïz explains that she wanted to leave a message not only for the LGBTQIA+ community but also for women everywhere. “Many women ignore the power we all have in common,” she says. “I wanted to tell them: dare to open your wings, to let your own chrysalis become a butterfly, as I did.”
Her story is one of defiance against limits, social, economic, and personal. Coming from a working-class background, she was often told she would remain trapped by circumstance. Instead, she rose through artistry and authenticity, proving that identity and talent can transcend origin.
Today, Louïz stands as one of the most visible trans women from La Réunion. Her Paris book tour, followed by appearances across France and a promotional journey back to her island, is not just about publicity but connection. She continues to perform, to sing songs like “Ven a Bailar,” “Love Yourself,” and “Y Croire,” which blend rhythm and message, joy and reflection. Her charisma on stage reflects her message on paper: that transformation is not only possible but beautiful.
“Papillon” is not a story of sadness but of triumph. It’s about reclaiming one’s reflection, one’s name, one’s voice. It’s about an artist who looked in a mirror one night and finally saw her truth, and then had the courage to live it out loud. Through her words, Louïz invites readers to do the same, to look inward and recognize the beauty waiting to take flight.
Available via Amazon
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