Avery Trufelman

I did start trying to adjust my wardrobe, or I became more conscious.

Okay, maybe I should cover up a little more.

Or I became more conscious.

Well, maybe my skirt is too short.

Things like that started to change for me.

I remember when I saw the film for the first time, I think it was a matinee, I went by myself and it was packed.

And I sat in the back of the room, nobody knew who I was.

And to this day, half the world, you know, if they saw me, they're like, they have no idea who I am.

I mean, I'm another person in life.

I was amazed at the standing ovation in the theater, but I was listening to people.

I was at the back against the wall and their comments.

Oh my God, do you think she really did that?

And then someone going, I think she really did.

It's based on a true story.

I can now, with more confidence than I ever had back then because so much was coming at me, I absolutely will not ever feel bad about who I was and how I dressed.

It's about the result I got and the lives that it changed.

This story was reported, written, and produced by Zoe Kurland, edited by Liza Yeager, Jackson Roach, Omar Etman, and Annie Rosenthal.

Sound design and additional production by Liza Yeager.

This is just one of the articles in Signal Hill, which is a fantastic audio magazine.

The New Yorker actually called them one of the best podcasts of 2025, along with articles of interest.