Cocona, the main rapper and youngest member of global girl group XG, publicly came out as AFAB transmasculine non-binary on their 20th birthday. They also revealed that they underwent top surgery earlier this year. The announcement, shared on XG’s official Instagram (@xgofficial_), received strong support from fans worldwide.
In their post, Cocona shared selfies, including one showing their surgery scars. They wrote: “I was born and perceived as female, but that label never represented who I truly am. The hardest thing I’ve faced was accepting myself. Now, I can move forward. There’s nothing wrong with who I am inside.”
Cocona thanked XG members, XGALX CEO Simon Im, and their parents for support. They added: “I hope my story quietly lights up someone’s heart and reaches everyone who needs it.” The post was written in Japanese and English to reach their global audience.
Born Akiyama Kokona on December 6, 2005, in Japan, Cocona joined XG in 2022 under Avex’s XGALX label. Known for their energetic rap style and stage presence, Cocona has been a standout in the group, which has gained international attention with hits like Tippy Toes, Shooting Star, and GRL GVNG.
Fans celebrated online with hashtags #HappyBirthday_COCONA and #XG_COCONA_20歳誕生祭. Support poured in from trans and non-binary fans, while media outlets including Soompi, Hollywood Reporter, Allkpop, and Koreaboo praised Cocona’s courage and XG’s inclusivity.
XGALX has not issued an official statement beyond the post, but photos show other XG members supporting Cocona. As XG continues releasing music, Cocona’s openness is expected to inspire fans and increase representation for queer identities in global pop culture.
