"I Am a Woman": Bruce Jenner Finally Opens Up in Emotional Diane Sawyer Interview

Update 4/24: During tonight's episode of 20/20 with Diane Sawyer, Bruce Jenner bravely opened up: "Yes, for all intents and purposes I am a woman," he* told Sawyer.

This is the first verbal confirmation from the 65-year-old Olympian of his transitional journey, and we applaud him for his courage. As he explained to Sawyer, coming to terms and speaking up wasn't easy: "How do I tell my story? How do I tell people what I've been through? I've been honest with my family and everyone involved. It's been really tough but here I am. I'm still here. That's the good news."

But there's a silver lining to what he's going through—and the very public forum in which he's having to come out. "We're going to change the world," Jenner told Sawyer of being on reality TV. "I really firmly believe that, that we're going to make a difference in the world with what we're doing."

Jenner's journey began when he was a child and realized he liked to wear dresses. "At that time, I didn't know why I was doing it besides it just made me feel good," he said. Later, in the '80s, he began transitioning and took hormones, but fear of hurting his children and becoming a public spectacle made him stop.

Tonight, speaking with Sawyer, Jenner was calm and resolute—his courage was clear. He knows this is an important moment not only for him, but for a world that's finally starting to accept and embrace what it means to be transgender. We have a long way to go, but Jenner's honesty gets us that much closer.

*Editor's note: Marie Claire wishes to be sensitive to and supportive of Jenner's transition. During the interview, Sawyer stated that Jenner prefers to use male pronouns as they're what's most comfortable for him at this time.

Update, 4/24: It's almost here. The Bruce Jenner interview with Diane Sawyer airs tonight, and in a final promo Jenner gets contemplative.

When asked what question he'd ask himself if he was in Sawyer's shoes, Jenner responds with silence before saying, "Am I going to be okay?" Sawyer then repeats the sentiment, asking Jenner for his answer.

"I hope I'm gonna be okay. I feel like I'm gonna be okay. 2015's gonna be quite a ride," he says.

Watch it all below, then be sure to tune in tonight at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.

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Update, 4/23: Another teaser has been released for tomorrow's Diane Sawyer/Bruce Jenner special, and it's seriously revealing. Jenner is seen welcoming Sawyer into his home, noting that this will be an "emotional roller coaster," before the clip shows a shot of his family.

"Those are the only ones I'm concerned with," Bruce tells Sawyer. "I can't let myself hurt them."

But Jenner, whatever his announcement may be, seems to be ready to start fresh.

"I wanna know how this story ends, you know?" he says. "How does my story end?

Watch it all:

Update, 4/22: According to Radar Online, Kris Jenner has reportedly threatened to sue her former husband Bruce Jenner with a defamation lawsuit, pending the outcome of the Diane Sawyer interview, with sources saying she is "beyond concerned" with what he might have told Sawyer.

"Kris snapped this weekend and is now threatening him with a defamation suit, demanding that he let her see the Diane Sawyer interview and what is filmed so far of the documentary," the source said. "Kris told Bruce that if he defames her in any way, or their brand, she is going to sue him for everything that he is worth."

Update, 4/15: The second promo for the Bruce Jenner/Diane Sawyer special is here, and this time, we hear Jenner speak: "My whole life has been getting me ready for this," he says. Watch it below:

Original story, 4/10: We've been counting down to Bruce Jenner's interview with Diane Sawyer—and the time is (almost) here. ABC has released the first promo teaser, which features Jenner and Diane shots, one in a room and the other at what seems to be Jenner's Malibu estate.

The promo promises answers on his "journey, the decisions, and the future." Rumors of Jenner transitioning into a woman abound, with talk of an E! reality show that might detail that transition—and it seems Sawyer's interview will address those.

The two-hour broadcast will air as a 20/20 special interview on Friday, April 24. Watch the promo below:

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