“This is the door that is going to open the door for many more young talented individuals”
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY POSE FX
In 2018, Pose first made its way onto our screens. The plot follows New York City’s Black and Latinx LGBTQI drag scene amidst the late 20th century. It was a pivotal milestone for onscreen representation. The series had the largest cast of transgender actors ever to appear on a scripted show. One of these characters was Blanca Evangelista (Michaela Jaé Rodriguez) who at the start of the show discovers she’s living with HIV and takes her fate into her own hands in many ways, one of those founding House Of Evangelista.
At last year’s Emmys, Michaela made history as the first trans woman to be nominated within the lead actress category. Fast forward to 9 January 2022, and Michaela has taken home the award for Best Performance By An Actress In A Television Series for her role of Blanca in Pose. She was up against Uzo Aduba (In Treatment), Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show), Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Christine Baranski (The Good Fight).
Michaela celebrated her win on an Instagram post where the caption read: “…This is a door that is going to open the door for many more young talented individuals. They will see that it is more than possible. They will see that a young Black Latina girl from Newark New Jersey who had a dream, to change the minds others would WITH LOVE. LOVE WINS. To my young LGBTQAI babies WE ARE HERE the door is now open now reach the stars!!!!!”
Angelica Ross also posted on Instagram to share support for Michaela who she starred alongside: “BLANCA!!!!!!!!!! Shouting congratulations to the incomparable @mjrodriguez7!!! Since season one you have been leading our family our cast with such heart and skill. Let’s celebrate!!!”
It is always a joy to see LGBTQI talent recognised. More of this in the coming years please!
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