Caitlyn Jenner, the woman formerly known as male Olympic champion Bruce Jenner, has debuted her new name and new look on the cover of Vanity Fair.

In her first public appearance as a female, the magazine launched her new identity with the headline ‘Call me Caitlyn’.

The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community welcomed the announcement, as did Jenner’s celebrity family, the Kardashians.

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Jenner, 65, posted her first tweet introducing ‘Caitlyn’ to the world, along with a glamorous photo of herself wearing lingerie on the magazine’s cover.

Jenner managed to break President Barack Obama’s record for amassing one million Twitter followers in the shortest time – about four hours.

“I’m so happy after such a long struggle to be living my true self,” Jenner wrote after the magazine released the picture by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz.

“Welcome to the world Caitlyn. Can’t wait for you to get to know her/me.”

I’m so happy after such a long struggle to be living my true self. Welcome to the world Caitlyn. Can’t wait for you to get to know her/me.

— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) June 1, 2015

In a video clip of the photo shoot on the magazine’s website, Jenner said: “Bruce always had to tell a lie. He was always living that lie.

“Every day, he always had a secret, from morning till night,” she said.

“Caitlyn doesn’t have any secrets. As soon as the Vanity Fair cover comes out, I am free.

“It’s not about the fanfare and people cheering, or walking down the street and everyone giving you a pat on the back and saying ‘good on you Bruce’– this is about life.”

Ex-wife, Kris Jenner, 59, is yet to express her feelings about the Olympian’s new look, even though her daughters Khloe, 30, Kim, 34, and Kendall, 19, have already done so.

“How beautiful! Be happy, be proud, live life your way,” Jenner’s stepdaughter Kim Kardashian wrote.

Daughter Kendall Jenner wrote: “Be free now pretty bird.” 

Caitlyn Jenner for Vanity Fair Annie Leibovitz! How beautiful! Be happy, be proud, live life YOUR way! pic.twitter.com/39fryBwUqE — Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) June 1, 2015

Kris and Jenner were married in 1991, and filed for divorce in September 2014.

In April, Jenner confirmed the transition from male to female in a 20/20 interview with TV host Diane Sawyer, which was reportedly seen by over 17 million viewers.

‘Caitlyn Jenner’ and the hashtag #CallMeCaitlyn quickly began to trend on Twitter.

Jenner broke Obama’s Twitter record for the shortest time to reach one million followers, achieving the mark with her @Caitlyn_Jenner account in four hours and three minutes.

Obama – who joined Twitter as @POTUS only last month – took about 4.5 hours to reach the one million mark.

“Another Jenner world record, and at 65. Who’da thought! Humbled and honoured to have reached 1M followers in 4 hours. Thank you for your support,” she said in only her third tweet.

Drake Bell tweets backlash

Not everyone has openly welcomed Jenner’s transition.

Former Disney child star Drake Bell took to Twitter to share his thoughts, writing: “Sorry…still calling you Bruce.”

Bell was slammed for what fans described as his “transphobic response”, prompting him to delete the tweet and defend himself.

“I’m not dissing him!” he claimed hours later on Twitter.

“I just don’t want to forget his legacy! He is the greatest athlete of all time! Chill out!”

Jessica Lange welcomes comparisons

Upon first glancing at Jenner’s powerful cover, many thought she looked very similar to celebrated American actress Jessica Lange.

Responding to the comparisons, Lange appeared to be flattered her name was a trending topic on Twitter.

“Oh really?” she said to The Daily Beast. “That’s so wonderful. Well now I’m going to have to look for that picture.”

Jenner has also drawn comparisons to American singer Lana Del Rey.

If Jessica Lange and Lana Del Rey had a love child, it would be Caitlyn Jenner pic.twitter.com/mZ5vmFJhUv — FREDDY (@FreddyAmazin) June 1, 2015

– with ABC