On November 1, 2022, Eva Robin's appeared on Belve, a talk show on Italian television hosted by Francesca Fagnani. The show, known for its candid and sometimes provocative interviews, allowed Robin’s to discuss many aspects of her life, including her identity, transition, and the challenges she faced throughout her journey. Eva Robin's, born Roberto Coatti (Bologna, December 10, 1958), is an Italian actress, singer, and television personality. Her stage name is inspired by the character Eva Kant from the comic book Diabolik, to whom her friends said she bore a resemblance, and the surname of the writer Harold Robbins. Although she was born male, she has exclusively embraced a female gender role throughout her life. She was also known as Eva Robins or Eva Robbins, and performed as a singer under the name Cassandra.
The interview began with Francesca Fagnani asking Robin's a question that seemed to cut to the core of her identity: "Are you a masculist or a feminist?" Robin’s responded with a cryptic answer: "I have the worst of both." This answer sparked a deeper discussion about Robin’s relationship with gender and how she navigated it. She explained that she feels more comfortable with women because, in her view, women do not have a "windshield" in their approach to relationships and advances. She contrasted this with men, who, according to Robin's, act only at specific moments, suggesting a certain hesitation in their interactions. Fagnani pressed further, asking Robin’s for clarification on what she meant by "masculist." Robin’s explained that being a masculist, in her case, meant disregarding some aspects of femininity, something she had always struggled with. She admitted that this discomfort with her femininity had bothered her, acknowledging that it was "a bit too much."
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The conversation naturally shifted to Robin’s image as a symbol of sensuality and transgression. Fagnani asked whether Robin’s had ever wished to be known for something other than her provocative persona. In response, Robin’s confidently stated, "No, it’s okay like this," indicating that she was comfortable with the way she had been perceived. She also reflected on the fact that she had already made her mark and that there was "a lot of stuff" around her identity that had shaped her public image. The conversation then turned to the cultural context in which Robin's iconic persona emerged. Fagnani asked whether the "Eva Robin's phenomenon" was a product of its time or whether it would still be relevant today. Robin’s reflected on the increased competition in today’s media environment, saying that there were more people now doing similar things. However, she took pride in the fact that she had "dug up" and "prepared the ground" for others. She specifically mentioned Victoria Schisano, another guest on the show, as an example of someone who had benefited from the path she had helped pave.
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Robin’s described herself as "the daughter of the 80s," emphasizing that her image and the societal reception of her were shaped by the cultural climate of that era. As the interview continued, Fagnani asked Robin's about her early years and the motivation behind her decision to transition. Robin’s shared that she had never aspired to "become a woman." Instead, her goal was to stop the male puberty process, as she found the idea of developing male physical traits, such as body hair, unappealing. She discussed how she had started hormonal treatment at the age of 13 in an attempt to halt this process. Robin’s revealed that she had obtained hormones from a neighbor, not an endocrinologist, and that she didn’t fully understand the medical implications of self-administering the hormones. At the time, she was solely focused on stopping the onset of male characteristics, not on transitioning into a woman. As time passed, however, Robin’s began to realize that the hormonal treatments had psychological effects, leading her to embrace a more feminine identity.
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Reflecting on this period, she explained that her experience in society had also influenced her decision. As she observed heterosexual couples at restaurants, she noticed that men often paid the bill, and she realized that being seen as a woman had certain advantages, especially when it came to navigating relationships. "In the end, it wasn’t bad for me," she said, acknowledging that her survival was in part ensured by her transition. Fagnani then turned to a more personal aspect of Robin’s life: her relationship with her mother. Robin’s spoke warmly about her mother, saying that she had always accepted her and supported her through her journey. Despite the challenges Robin’s family faced, including her mother’s struggles with alcoholism and raising four children with four different men, Robin’s mother never judged her for transitioning. Robin’s described her mother as "the man I've never really been," a strong figure who stepped into a fatherly role when her biological father was absent. She shared that when her mother saw her early public appearances, she was supportive and pleased with her transformation.
As the interview progressed, Fagnani asked Robin’s about a darker chapter in her past, asking her to reflect on the sexual harassment she experienced as a child. Robin’s described an incident at the age of eight involving an adult man who she remembered as a "dark figure." Although she was only a child, she recalled feeling an awareness of the seduction occurring, but at the time, she did not fully understand the consequences. The conversation then shifted to another disturbing memory from Robin’s childhood, one that occurred when she was just 11 years old. She described a sexual relationship with a 65-year-old family acquaintance, an archaeologist, who introduced her to sexual experiences. Robin’s recalled being fascinated by his collection of minerals and how their interactions gradually escalated. Robin’s reflected on this experience, acknowledging that it was exploitative but explaining that she had not recognized the full implications of the situation at the time.
Throughout the interview, Robin’s remained calm and composed, despite the deeply emotional and painful topics discussed. She acknowledged the difficult experiences she had faced, but her willingness to speak openly about her past showed her resilience. "I’ve already been disturbed a lot," she said, signaling her readiness to confront her past in order to help others understand the complexities of her journey. Eva Robin's interview on Belve provided an intimate glimpse into her multifaceted life, touching on themes of identity, societal roles, and personal resilience. Her candid reflections, humor, and depth made for an engaging conversation, offering viewers a deeper understanding of her journey and the challenges she has faced. This interview not only celebrated Robin's legacy but also shed light on the broader issues surrounding gender identity and acceptance in society. Her insights and experiences serve as a powerful reminder of the complexities of navigating personal identity in a world that often demands conformity.
Image credits: YouTube - Belve
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