17 Trans Stars Who Rejected Hollywood’s Transition Timeline Demands

For years, the entertainment industry pressured transgender people to essentially disappear while transitioning, only to reappear once they were seen as fitting traditional gender roles. This outdated practice forced many performers to choose between being true to themselves and continuing their careers, often leading to lost work or having to stop performing altogether. Now, a new wave of artists is challenging this by openly transitioning and sharing their experiences as they happen, refusing to put their lives on hold for the sake of industry expectations. These pioneers have shown that gender identity is a process, not a fixed point, and their visibility is dramatically changing how the entertainment industry finds talent and tells stories.

Elliot Page

Elliot Page publicly came out as transgender in December 2020 while appearing in the popular Netflix series ‘The Umbrella Academy’. Instead of replacing him or removing his character, the show’s creators collaborated with Page and wove his transition into the show’s third season. This meant Page could keep working without the usual break often required of actors who transition. By staying visible throughout his transition, Page pushed back against the idea that actors need to disappear until they’ve fully transitioned.

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox achieved a historic milestone with her role in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ (2013–2019), becoming the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for an Emmy Award. As she became famous, she consistently refused to answer personal questions from the media about her surgeries or medical background. Cox powerfully challenged the focus on her body, making it clear that the public doesn’t have a right to know details about a transgender person’s medical history. This helped to change the conversation, shifting attention from physical transitions to the talent and humanity of transgender artists.

Tommy Dorfman

I’ve been a fan of Tommy Dorfman ever since ’13 Reasons Why,’ and I was so inspired by how she shared her journey with everyone. After privately transitioning for a year, she didn’t feel the need to disappear and re-emerge as someone completely different. Instead, she kept being herself online, letting us all see her grow and change, which I really appreciated. She didn’t want to feel pressured to present a ‘finished’ version of herself, and instead chose to live authentically while still working on her career. Now, she’s taking on roles that truly reflect who she is, and she’s refusing to let her past work define her – it’s amazing to watch!

Hunter Schafer

Hunter Schafer began her transition as a teenager and quickly found work as a model before landing her breakout acting role in ‘Euphoria’ (2019–present). She’s consistently spoken out against being defined solely by her identity as a trans woman, and resists the expectations of casting directors. Schafer actively seeks roles where a character’s gender identity isn’t the central conflict, preferring to portray people whose stories go beyond their past experiences. Her rising success demonstrates that young trans actors can thrive in the public eye without being limited to stereotypical, often tragic, roles often pushed by Hollywood.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez gained widespread recognition as a star on the show ‘Pose’ and made history as the first transgender woman to win a Golden Globe for her leading role in a TV drama. She’s been a strong advocate against the common practice of limiting trans actresses to roles depicting sex workers or characters defined by tragedy. Rodriguez has proven her versatility by successfully moving into comedic roles, like her part in the series ‘Loot,’ showing she’s much more than just a dramatic actress. Her career is breaking down barriers and proving that trans performers deserve the same opportunities and long-term career paths as anyone else.

Josie Totah

Josie Totah, who started acting as a child in shows like ‘Jessie’, shared in a 2018 essay for Time magazine that she is a transgender woman. She decided to openly share her story herself, rather than letting the media speculate about changes in her appearance, and confidently returned to acting. Totah quickly landed a role in the 2020–2021 reboot of ‘Saved by the Bell’, where she played a confident and popular transgender character. By taking control of her own story, she ensured her transition didn’t hinder her career.

Brian Michael Smith

Brian Michael Smith acted as male characters for many years before publicly coming out as transgender in 2017. He took a risk with his career by being true to himself, proving that coming out wouldn’t necessarily stop a transgender man from finding work. He then went on to star in ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’ (2020–present) as a transgender firefighter, a role that significantly improved representation of trans men on television. Smith’s experience demonstrates that an actor’s past work doesn’t limit their ability to portray a wide range of male characters.

Jamie Clayton

Jamie Clayton has consistently pushed back against the tendency in the entertainment industry to focus on the details of a person’s transition. Known for her work on ‘Sense8,’ she’s a strong advocate for transgender actors being considered for all kinds of roles – both transgender and cisgender characters – and doesn’t want her past medical history to define her career. Her role as Pinhead in the 2022 ‘Hellraiser’ reboot was particularly notable because it highlighted the horror aspects of the character, rather than focusing on gender. Clayton’s career choices demonstrate her belief that an actor’s skill should be the most important factor, not how long they’ve transitioned.

Indya Moore

Indya Moore, known for their role in the TV show ‘Pose,’ doesn’t identify as strictly male or female and has spoken out against how the media often portrays transgender journeys. They’ve criticized the fashion and film industries for only celebrating trans bodies that conform to a narrow beauty standard. Moore uses their influence to support those who lack the financial means to achieve what’s often considered a ‘perfect’ transition in Hollywood. By being visible and authentic, they challenge the idea that there’s only one right way to be transgender.

Alexandra Billings

Alexandra Billings, a well-known actor from the show ‘Transparent,’ went through transition in the 1980s, a time when it could have ended her career. Back then, Hollywood didn’t support or even acknowledge transgender people, and she often had to play characters who hid their true selves. Now, she mentors younger actors, encouraging them to be open and proud, unlike what the industry once forced upon them. Her long career is proof of her strength and determination in the face of an industry that once tried to ignore her.

Chaz Bono

Chaz Bono, the child of famous musicians Sonny and Cher, lived through his transition in the public eye. He shared his experiences in the 2011 documentary ‘Becoming Chaz,’ giving viewers a real look at the medical and personal changes he was going through. This was unusual for Hollywood, where people often keep such transitions private. Bono’s willingness to be open helped many people understand the process and encouraged more honest conversations about transitioning from female to male.

Candis Cayne

Candis Cayne was a pioneer, becoming the first transgender actress to play a regular transgender character on a major TV show, ‘Dirty Sexy Money’ (2007–2009). Back then, Hollywood didn’t know how to work with trans actresses, and Cayne was often seen as a curiosity. She bravely turned down stereotypical roles offered to trans women, instead advocating for complex and meaningful characters. Her determination paved the way for today’s trans actors who are now able to ask for more authentic and respectful representation.

Hari Nef

Hari Nef made history as the first openly transgender woman signed by IMG Models, and she’s leveraged her success in fashion into an acting career. She’s appeared in popular films like ‘Barbie’ (2023), notably in a role where her character’s gender identity wasn’t central to the story. Nef has discussed the pressure to fit traditional beauty standards in order to get work, and she’s been vocal about challenging those expectations. Her roles in mainstream movies represent a positive change, showing that trans actors are being cast for their talent and personality, not just their experiences as trans individuals.

Trace Lysette

Before publicly sharing that she is transgender, Trace Lysette worked as a dancer and server while trying to get roles as characters who were not trans. She gained recognition for her work in the TV show ‘Transparent’ and later starred in the 2022 film ‘Monica,’ which was highly praised at the Venice Film Festival. Lysette is a strong voice for allowing transgender actors to play characters of any gender, believing an actor’s personal medical history shouldn’t limit their opportunities. She consistently pushes the film industry to recognize trans women as capable leads who can tell compelling stories.

Angelica Ross

Angelica Ross is a successful actress and entrepreneur who taught herself to code and then launched her career with roles in shows like ‘Pose’ and ‘American Horror Story’. She navigated her transition while working, experiencing discrimination that inspired her to found TransTech Social Enterprises, a company dedicated to creating opportunities for others. Ross is known for honestly sharing the challenges she’s faced as a trans woman in both her personal and professional life, refusing to downplay her experiences. She built her career by forging her own path, rather than waiting for the industry to offer her one.

Isis King

Isis King made history in 2008 as the first transgender woman to compete on ‘America’s Next Top Model,’ even before fully completing her medical transition. She bravely faced prejudice and public examination on national TV, refusing to conceal who she was. Her presence on the show sparked important discussions about transgender inclusion in the fashion and reality TV worlds, well before these conversations became common. Since then, King has successfully transitioned into acting, with roles in projects like the acclaimed miniseries ‘When They See Us’ (2019).

Dylan Mulvaney

Dylan Mulvaney became incredibly popular on TikTok by sharing her personal journey of transitioning in a series called “Days of Girlhood,” starting from the very beginning. Her videos challenged the notion that transgender women need to complete their transition before being accepted or celebrated. Despite facing strong political opposition, Mulvaney’s openness and honesty led to sponsorships and acting roles. By openly sharing her experience, she broke the traditional, often secretive, rules of Hollywood surrounding transgender identity.

Share your favorite performance from these groundbreaking stars in the comments.

2025-12-04 00:17