The trailblazer was recognised for her work as an activist and actor
BY SARAH KENNELLY, IMAGE BY SHOWTIME
Yellowjackets actress Nicole Maines has been named one of Forbes 30 Under 30, taking her place among stars like Chappell Roan and Alex Consani. This is the second time the 27-year-old has made history in her career, becoming the first trans superhero in the series Supergirl. But her role as Lisa in queer fan favourite Yellowjackets has shot her to further fame, earning her a loyal fanbase on social media.
The prestigious list was released on 3 December and Maines landed a spot in the Hollywood and Entertainment category, recognising her trailblazing career as an activist and actor. In a recent Instagram post, she gushed: “Honored to be in such incredible company with these talented mfers!”
Despite being in the early stages of her career, Maines has managed to collect many impressive accolades along the way, cementing her title as one to watch. She penned the comic book debut of her character Dreamer in Supergirl for DC Pride in 2021. Earlier this year, she released a coming-of-age memoir detailing her journey as a young trans woman in Hollywood.
In a social media post announcing the book, she revealed: “For a long time, I tried and struggled to find a space to use my voice and share my thoughts. I attempted to use my social media platforms for that purpose, but I found more times than not that I was running up against an immovable wall of online trolls and bigots. I needed a way to be able to say what I needed to say without inviting a pointless debate over my own humanity.”
Maines has dedicated her life to fighting for and protecting the rights of trans people in America and gained prominence for winning a 2014 case against her school district which earned her the right to use the girl’s bathroom. “That day, my family and friends cried happy tears, and I felt that I was being acknowledged as an equal to my classmates and to the rest of my community, and no longer second class,” said Maine in an interview with TIME magazine when she won the legal battle.
DIVA magazine celebrates 30 years in print in 2024. If you like what we do, then get behind LGBTQIA media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.