Lily Lu is a transgender woman whose story stands out in many ways. She isn’t your typical parent—she still refers to herself as “dad,” even though she’s transitioning from male to female. What makes her even more unique is her completely tattooed and modified appearance, which often draws judgment from strangers. However, despite the stares and criticism, Lily proudly insists that she’s a loving and devoted parent to her 14-year-old daughter, Maya. Lily’s story challenges conventional ideas about appearance, parenting, and personal identity.
Based in Tengen, Germany, Lily is an independent filmmaker and social media personality. Her body is fully tattooed, from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. She’s also undergone numerous body modifications, including the removal of her nipples, navel, parts of her ears, and even a finger. Her tongue is not only split, but also tattooed, as are the whites of her eyes and the skin beneath her fingernails. To top it all off, she’s had black ceramic veneers added to her teeth, enhancing her dramatic look.
For Lily, body art and modification are not just forms of self-expression—they are a lifestyle. “One hundred percent of my body is covered in ink,” she told the Daily Mail. “But my looks don’t really matter to me—it’s just a collection. Sometimes it grows, sometimes less, but it’s part of who I am.” Her journey of transformation continues with her gender transition. “Right now, I’m transitioning and changing from male to female, which is also a big modification process,” she explained. “At some point, you stop caring about how shocking it may seem. It becomes part of your everyday life. My goal is to live authentically and enjoy life.”
Lily embraces her individuality. On Instagram, where she has nearly 100,000 followers, she calls herself an “alien trans-girl” and believes, “Being weird is a superpower.” Her following extends to Facebook, where around 60,000 people keep up with her updates, and TikTok, where she has amassed 1.6 million likes. Many people are drawn to her eccentric look, while others are simply curious about her life and choices.
Despite her positive outlook, Lily acknowledges that her appearance invites negative assumptions. “People often associate my look with drug use, think I won’t be able to get a job, or assume I won’t be able to find housing,” she said. “It’s silly.” In reality, she owns several properties and rents them out to tenants, proving that her lifestyle hasn’t held her back professionally. She also leads an unexpectedly healthy life, contrary to what many might think based on her appearance.
“I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, and I haven’t used drugs in 20 years,” Lily shared. “I exercise every day and eat fresh, home-cooked meals. I run Ultra Trail races and stay active.” She even avoids sugar and has recently begun cutting back on coffee. For Lily, her outward transformation doesn’t reflect a chaotic lifestyle. In fact, she takes great care of her health and well-being.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Lily’s life is her role as a parent. She’s extremely involved in her daughter Maya’s life and proudly calls herself a “good daddy.” Though she now identifies as a woman, she still prefers the term “dad” because that’s how her daughter has always known her. “I spend a lot of time with Maya,” Lily said. “I’m a very caring and loving parent. Everyone who knows me knows how important my daughter is to me. Being a good dad isn’t a secret—it’s something I’m proud of.”
Lily’s influence on Maya is evident. When Maya was just two years old, she picked up a tattoo machine and tattooed her dad’s foot. To Maya, it was no different than drawing on a piece of paper. By the time she was nine, she was tattooing clients at her father’s tattoo studio, Psyland 25. Lily encourages her daughter to follow her own dreams and express herself freely. “I always tell her to do what she loves and go after what makes her happy,” Lily said.
However, not everyone sees Lily’s story through such a positive lens. On social media, reactions to her appearance and lifestyle are mixed. Some people are fascinated, while others are critical or confused. “Why do people do this to themselves? Tattooing your entire body, even the whites of your eyes and under your fingernails?” one Instagram user commented on a post shared by Lily. Another wrote, “A dad? Am I missing something here? It’s disturbing. Why live your whole life like that?” Some expressed concern for Maya, with one commenter saying, “That poor child,” and another suggesting Lily might be struggling with mental health, despite her claim of a healthy lifestyle.
Yet through all the criticism, Lily remains firm in her message. She believes in living unapologetically and embracing your true self, no matter what others think. Her story sparks debate, raises questions about societal norms, and challenges stereotypes about what it means to be a parent, a woman, and an individual.
Whether people admire or criticize her, one thing is clear—Lily Lu is not afraid to be herself. Her bold choices, both in how she presents herself and how she raises her daughter, invite people to rethink their assumptions and see beyond appearances. Her journey is a reminder that love, health, and good parenting don’t have to look a certain way—they just have to be real. So what do you think about Lily’s unique lifestyle? Feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you.
