By Shane Gallagher
Photos: Bob of Finland
Justin Jedlica, known as the “Human Ken Doll” and widely recognized for his pioneering work in body modification, is one of the bold personalities featured in Reflections, filmmaker Michael Hyman’s daring new video series that turns the camera—and the mirror—on identity, beauty, and self-worth.
Shot on 16mm film and inspired by Andy Warhol’s iconic 1960s Screen Tests, the sixteen shorts challenge participants representing a diverse cross-section of the LGBTQIA+ community to confront their own reflection in silence for four minutes. For Jedlica, a well-known advocate for plastic surgery who has built a life in Los Angeles as an artist, content creator, and real estate designer, the experience was a powerful act of self-love and a natural extension of his lifelong exploration of image, authenticity, and reinvention. He explains more.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in upstate New York and then in Cary, North Carolina, in a working-class, creative household where money was often tight. For much of my life, I felt different, misunderstood, and even unaccepted.
What inspired you to move to Los Angeles?
L.A. represented possibility.
Were you chasing superstar dreams?
I was chasing something more than fame. I wanted a place where transforming my body, building a personal brand, and expressing myself visually could become both art and business.
What’s a typical day in your life like today?
My days are a blend of content creation, cosmetic-art projects, brand management, consulting, and planning future transformations. I also have a passion for real estate and design. I love flipping properties and reimagining spaces. I’ve always had a thing for mirrors. To me, mirrors don’t just reflect, they open a room.
Is that fascination with mirrors what drew you to participate in Reflections?
The project resonated with me. It took me years to recognize that my differences are what make me unique. Realizing that my sexual attraction, gender identity, and personal interest in modifying myself weren’t negatives but strengths gave me confidence to own my truth. I viewed Reflections as a chance to stand in truth while also contributing to something that could help others embrace their own self-acceptance.
How did you approach the idea of sitting silently with your own mirrored image for four minutes?
For me, the challenge was that I’m typically not someone who does well with silence. Reflections required me to maintain it for four minutes: just me and my mirrored image. Approaching that was about letting go of distractions and being willing to see myself without interruption. It was both strange and surprisingly grounding to face that stillness.
Did the silence feel freeing?
It was both freeing and uncomfortable. Freeing because without words there was nothing to hide behind, and uncomfortable because that forced me to confront myself directly.
Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests often revealed unexpected aspects of his subjects. Do you feel your Reflections film revealed something new about you?
Yes. It revealed how I’ve evolved beyond the aesthetics. I’ve grown internally. I walked away with a clearer sense of how comfortable I’ve become in my own skin, not just in terms of looks, but in self-worth. My worth isn’t defined by surface-level judgments, but by staying true to myself despite outside pressures. The experience was a reminder that self-worth is as much internal as it is external.
How do you think audiences will respond?
I know that people often approach me with preconceived ideas based on my appearance. Reflections will give them an opportunity to see another side: the person behind the surface. I think some people will be surprised, and hopefully they’ll come away recognizing the importance of difference and diversity within our community.
Are you still a work in progress or would you say you’re a completed work of art?
I see myself as an evolving work of art. I’m proud of what I’ve built physically, professionally, and through design and real estate but I will never think of myself as “finished.” There’s always another canvas; another space to reinvent.
Reflections is available now on https://www.youtube.com/@outonfiremedia and at Outonfiremedia.com.