Danielle St James
Danielle St James | |
|---|---|
| Born | 18 April 1992 Barry Island, Wales |
| Other names |
|
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Spouse |
Alix Anson-Jones (m. 2023) |
Danielle Zoah Anson-Jones (née Gibbison; born 18 April 1992), known professionally as Danielle or Dani St James, is a Welsh model, entrepreneur and campaigner.
Early life
St James was born and grew up on Barry Island, South Wales,[1] which she described as a "progressive" town for the time.[2] Her parents separated when she was young; she and her older sister were raised primarily by their mother, while they have a younger half-sibling from their father's second marriage.[3] She attended St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School.
Career
St James began her career as a makeup artist in Cardiff in 2008.[4] Upon moving to London in 2012 after her two-year stint as a dancer in Ibiza, St James worked as a night club manager, running the Shadow Lounge in Soho, Proud Camden, and Novus. She first appeared in the media when she entered the 2013 Miss Diamond Queen beauty contest.[5]
Subsequently, St James featured in a 2016 video for the BBC Three YouTube channel,[6] in the 2016 Our CLTR documentary web series Worship Trans,[7] and in the Channel 4 programme First Dates in 2018.[8][9][10]
During the COVID-19 lockdown, St James founded the charity organisation Not a Phase with Jacqui Devon. The concept started with the pair selling charitable merchandise designed by Devon sporting the titular phrase, with proceeds going to Mermaids.[11] That year, St James featured in a Missguided shapewear campaign.[12] Not a Phase grew into a "fully established charity" in its own right and expanded its services, operating in eight locations by 2023 that aim to "uplift" trans and gender-diverse adults in the UK and promote education about the community.[13][14] Amid the re-election of Donald Trump in the U.S. in 2024, American sponsors began pulling back from supporting charities like Not a Phase. The organisation set up a funding appeal on 11 April 2025, boosted by the UK Supreme Court ruling on the definition of woman in the Equality Act and after actress Nicola Coughlan shared the fundraiser on Instagram.[15]
In 2021, St James launched the inclusive swimwear and underwear brand Zoah, having first come up with the idea for it in 2017.[16] Initially aimed at trans feminine people, Zoah added a line for trans masculine people in 2024 with support from Innovate UK.[17] When formulating the line, Zoah used the grant to organise a focus group of over 400 trans guys to research their needs and challenges.[18]
Personal life
St James is a trans woman. She was androgynous from a young age and realised she was trans around age 16 or 17. Upon moving to Ibiza after completing school, she started HRT at age 18. She said there was "never any drama" or pressure around it as her family were "very liberal" and accepting,[5] particularly her mother.[3] School also had unisex uniforms and restrooms,[9] and she was able to connect with the queer community in nearby Cardiff.[2]
As of 2022, St James lives in Margate, Kent.[19] She married Misfits creator and Not a Phase trustee Alix Maddison Anson-Jones in 2023, having become engaged in 2022.[20][21]
References
- ^ Balanescu, Miriam (11 June 2021). "Dani St. James On Her Safe Trans+ Space". Notion. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ a b Barnes, Alice (30 July 2021). "Meet Not A Phase's Dani St James". Tatty Devine. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ a b Wills, Nicola (6 November 2023). "EPISODE 22 - Dani St James - Business with purpose - empowering Trans+ lives". Inspire. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ "Danielle St James". Academy of Freelance Makeup. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Transgender woman Dani St James chases dream to be crowned a beauty queen". Daily News. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ Maggs, Sam (25 May 2015). "Things You Shouldn't Ask Trans People, Even If You Want To". The Mary Sue. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ Hartley, Eve (15 March 2016). "Transgender And Religion: Six Trans People Discuss What Faith Means To Them". HuffPost UK. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ Jones, Dylan B (27 March 2019). "QX Meets…Dani St James". QX. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ a b Ali, Joseph (28 June 2021). "The stunning model who wowed TV viewers on First Dates fighting for trans teenagers to have the same support she had as a kid". Wales Online. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ "Trans Day of Visibility 2021: Meet Tabby, Chiyo, and Danielle". Rainbow & Co. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ Ali, Joseph (1 July 2020). "How trans model Dani St James launched a fashion range in lockdown - and has caught Victoria Beckham's eye". Wales Online. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ Harris, Sharon (27 October 2020). "Barry Star, Dani St James, features in Missguided's new empowerment campaign". Penarth Times. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ Pengelly, Jack (10 February 2023). "Meet the inspiring founder of Not A Phase – a charity supporting trans and gender-diverse adults". Attitude. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ Niewiarowski, Erik (31 March 2023). "Trans activists Dani St James and Kenny Ethan Jones on making a career out of campaigning". Pink News. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ Harle, Emily (25 April 2025). "Trans charity 'saved' by £200,000 emergency appeal after losing corporate partners". ThirdSector. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ "The Five at Five: Danielle St James". Appear Here. 18 November 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ "Government grant funds new gender-affirming underwear range and research". Attitude. 26 November 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ Wareham, Jamie (31 March 2025). "How I Created A Pair Of Underwear You Can Put On And Forget All About". Forbes. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ Barker, Miriam (15 November 2022). "LGBTQ: Trans woman hopes underwear line will aid safety". BBC News. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ Danielle St James (2023). "Mr and Mrs Anson-Jones" – via Instagram.
- ^ Windust, Jamie (28 June 2024). "Meet the Trainers Creating Safe Fitness Spaces for Trans Gym-Goers". Men's Health. Retrieved 24 April 2025.