Chelsea Manning, now the hottest transgender celebrity after her release from military prison, is handing "Nightline" her first television interview as a free woman, ABC News announced, adding that portions will be splashed across the entire network.
The interview by ABC News reporter Juju Chang will air sometime in June.
ABC News had been in contact with Manning shortly before her release May 7 from the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
"I appreciate the wonderful support that I have received from so many people across the world over these past years," ABC News quoted Manning, perhaps indicating where the interview is headed. "As I rebuild my life, I remind myself not to relive the past. The past will always affect me and I will keep that in mind while remembering that how it played out is only my starting point, not my final destination."
Within hours of her 2 a.m. release from prison she had posted to social media a photo of herself looking startling different from the ones of her wearing a wig or in Army uniform.
Formerly known as Bradley Manning, she was serving 35 years for releasing approximately 750,000 classified and sensitive military records to WikiLeaks in 2010.
She served seven years of her commuted 35-year sentence which included time in solitary confinement as a disciplinary measure for attempting suicide, said ABC News as background. Manning requested treatment for gender dysphoria and was on hormones for two years while behind bars in a men's military prison.
Her prison term was shortened by former President Barack Obama just before he left office, but until May 7 she had remained at Fort Leavenworth.
"The interview will air in June on a special edition of 'Nightline' with portions airing on 'Good Morning America,' 'World News Tonight with David Muir,' ABC News Radio, ABC NewsOne, the ABC News apps, streaming platforms and ABCNews.com," said the network. "Chang will also speak with members of Manning's team who fought relentlessly for her freedom."
Manning is remaining on active duty while her court-martial conviction is under appeal, said The Hill.
Manning was convicted in 2013 of 20 counts, including six Espionage Act violations, theft and computer fraud, for providing WikiLeaks with a huge dump of secret documents, said The Associated Press. She was acquitted of the most serious charge of aiding the enemy.
The AP said the leaks laid bare sensitive secrets and endangered information sources. The State Department had to move people to protect their safety and several ambassadors were recalled, expelled or reassigned because of embarrassing disclosures.
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