"Why her armpit gone" — Internet reacts to Doechii transforming into a man for Paper Magazine cover

Doechii (aka Jaylah Ji'mya Hickmon), 26, completely transformed into a man using prosthetics in her latest photoshoot for Paper Mag. The publication shared the photo of the rapper on September 4, replete with eight-pack abs, and a mustache. She also sported a black leather jacket, white socks, a pair of sunglasses, and white male underwear.

Fans have taken to the internet and showered Doechii's new look with reactions and comments. Some of the most popular comments on X (formerly Twitter) are as follows:

"Why her armpit gone," commented a user on X.

"Oh, the girls are having fun again. Love to see it," said another.

"Judging from the abs I thought Ms.netta man was out here acting out again," opined someone on X.

One netizen opined that Doechii looked "too different" in her new ensemble. They commented:

"I wish we could easily tell it's really her, she looks too different, that could be anybody."

"She’s ICONIC like please recognize!!" commented another.

"Excuse me? I thought she was a woman?" quipped one on X.

Someone observed:

"Look at the shadow behind it's like girl posing."

"Damn Sabrina Carpenter changed," quipped another.

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Doechii reveals why she dressed like a man for the magazine cover photoshoot

2024 Governors Ball - Source: Getty (Photo by Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images)

In the interview with Paper Mag (published on September 4), Doechii revealed that the name of her alter-ego was Ricardo, a bisexual man from Panama. The What It Is (Block Boy) rapper explained why she dressed like a man, stating that it was a reply to people alleging that she "looks like a man."

“Last year, I started seeing comments from people who would say, ‘She looks like a man.’ Or, ‘She has on too much makeup. She looks like a drag queen,"

She continued:

"All these comments never bother me, because I just find it interesting. But I was like, ‘Since they keep saying I look like a man, I’m gonna fucking give them a man. An eight-pack, mustache man.’ That’s what inspired me to do the look and I think it turned out sick.”

The 26-year-old also quipped that she found herself quite attractive as a man, claiming that she wanted to make love with herself after she saw the final ensemble replete with prosthetics.

"Literally, when I put on the prosthetics, I was like, ‘Oh my god, I’m attracted to myself right now. I wish I could f*ck me,’” joked Doechii.

In a June 2024 interview with Rolling Stone, Doechii - being queer herself - explained that she felt more at peace in the LGBTQ+ community than in the hip-hop circles.

“No community has uplifted me and made me feel as safe as the gay community, and ballroom culture, of course, is a part of that community,” she said. “I just feel understood in that space, and not all the time in this hip-hop genre do I feel fully embraced, like I do in this bag. I just feel safe,” explained the rapper.

In the same month, Doechii and her collaborator JT wrote love letters to the LGBTQ+ community, exhibiting their unwavering support and love during Pride Month. In the letter, she attributed her personal and professional growth to the community, writing (via Billboard):

“My creative work is heavily influenced by both my Florida roots and the vibrant LGBTQ+ community … my music is dedicated to all those who have encouraged me to strive for excellence and even to those who may have doubted me along the way.”

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The rapper finally motivated them to learn to love and fight for themselves, irrespective of society's support. She implored people in the community to find safe spaces to celebrate their love and to stay strong.