Lifestyle Health Singer, One Direction Songwriter Teddy Geiger Reveals Transition: 'This Is Who I Have Been' The singer-songwriter said support from family and friends has "given me the courage to start the process" By Jeff Nelson Jeff Nelson Instagram Twitter Jeff Nelson is the Senior News Editor, Entertainment at PEOPLE. For nearly a decade, he has worked across the brand's entertainment verticals, reporting on breaking news and writing and editing across platforms, as well as securing A-list cover exclusives, including Barry Manilow's coming out and an at-home interview with Madonna. Jeff has appeared as an expert on Good Morning America, Extra, HLN and SiriusXM, as well as at RuPaul's DragCon as a moderator. He studied magazine journalism at Drake University, graduating with a B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication. People Editorial Guidelines Published on October 27, 2017 12:40PM EDT Share Tweet Pin Email Teddy Geiger is transitioning. The singer-songwriter revealed the news on Instagram Friday morning, replying to a fan who asked, “why do you look different lately?” “Okay… because u asked nicely… I am transitioning,” Geiger, 29, wrote. “I started talking about it with a couple of my close friends and family about a month ago and it’s given me the courage to start the process. I feel like the next step is to tell all y’all. So here goes. Love it or hate this is who i have been for a looooong time. I love u guys. Talk sooooon byeeee.” Geiger posted an additional message to Instagram later on Friday, thanking fans for the outpouring of support by writing, “Woke up to so much love. I have the best friends.” Geiger appeared on VH1’s 2004 reality competition In Search of the Partridge Family and went on to release the 2006 album Underage Thinking, which included the Top 40 single “For You I Will (Confidence).” In recent years, Geiger has successfully focused on songwriting, penning a slew of hits for A-list acts, including One Direction (“Where Do Broken Hearts Go”) and Shawn Mendes (“Stitches,” “Treat You Better,” “Mercy,” “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back”), as well as a track — “Who I Am” — for Maroon 5‘s upcoming album Red Pill Blues. Mendes lent his voice to the many wishing Geiger well, commenting on Instagram “<3❤️❤️❤️ love u” and also “Love you❤️.”