Liu was a male at birth with the given name Zi-hua, but underwent sex reassignment surgery at the age of 18.
She became popular following a number of appearances on a parody television programme, but was outed in January 2010 by a former schoolmate who posted his graduation photo online.
In response, Liu held a press conference where she stated that she was happy being a woman and that the past was not important, but only confirmed that she was a transsexual when interviewed by the China Times a week later.
Supported by family, colleagues and her agency, Liu said that to go public with her sex change was more of a help for her than hindrance, and it had not affected her life.
