Black Trans Models Turned Actors Who Refuse “Tragic” Roles

Television and film are seeing more Black transgender actors, and this is changing the industry. These performers are choosing roles that show complex and fulfilling lives, moving beyond tired stories focused on hardship. By prioritizing success and humanity in their work, they’re reshaping how trans people are seen on screen and creating opportunities for future generations of actors to find diverse and relatable roles.

Indya Moore

Indya Moore started their career as a fashion model and gained recognition for their role in the TV series ‘Pose’. They are a strong voice for showing the positive and normal lives of transgender people. Moore actively seeks out roles that highlight characters who are flourishing, instead of being defined by struggles or discrimination. Through their work, they are challenging traditional representations of gender and race in popular media.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez became well-known for her compelling portrayal of Blanca Evangelista in the show ‘Pose’. Alongside acting, she’s also modeled for prominent beauty and fashion companies. Rodriguez frequently discusses the need for positive representation of trans women, particularly showcasing them as strong figures and caregivers. Her work highlights human strength and hope in an inspiring way.

Dominique Jackson

Dominique Jackson worked as a model for years before landing her famous role as Elektra Abundance on ‘Pose’. She’s passionate about playing characters that highlight the strength and dignity of transgender women. Her work has moved the focus in storytelling away from portraying trans women as victims and towards showing them as leaders who control their own destinies. Jackson frequently emphasizes how important it is to see transgender people represented as powerful figures in film and television.

Angelica Ross

Angelica Ross began her career as a model and has since become known for her acting roles in shows like ‘Pose’ and ‘American Horror Story’. She also founded TransTech Social Enterprises, an organization focused on supporting transgender people in tech. Ross is a strong advocate for diverse representation in media, specifically seeking characters who are defined by their skills and ambitions, not just their gender. Her work explores how technology and creativity can be used to empower individuals.

Hailie Sahar

Hailie Sahar is a talented performer with experience in both modeling and music, but she’s now best known for her work on television. She gained significant recognition for playing Lulu Abundance in the popular show ‘Pose.’ Sahar intentionally chooses complex characters with compelling stories, and she feels it’s important for media to showcase stories about ambition and success.

Leyna Bloom

Leyna Bloom is a model and actress who has broken barriers throughout her career. Before landing a role in the film ‘Port Authority’, she became the first trans woman of color featured in the ‘Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue’. Bloom intentionally chooses roles that showcase the strength and beauty of trans women of color, and she actively avoids projects that focus on hardship or violence.

Amiyah Scott

Amiyah Scott first became well-known as a model and social media personality, and then landed a role on the TV series ‘Star’. She made history as one of the first transgender women of color to star in a leading role on a major network show. Scott has said she wants to play characters known for who they are and what they can do, not just their identity. Through her work, she’s helping to make transgender representation more common and accepted on television.

Laith Ashley

Laith Ashley is a well-known model who is now also pursuing acting and music. He’s been featured in reality shows and music videos that share his experiences as a transgender man. Ashley actively campaigns for more representation of trans men in media, particularly in leading romantic roles that showcase their strength and confidence. Through his work, he’s constantly redefining what it means to be masculine.

Brian Michael Smith

Brian Michael Smith is an experienced actor and model, recognizable from shows like ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’. He’s known for portraying confident and skilled characters, and frequently seeks roles that offer positive and realistic representation of trans men. As a result, he’s become a leading figure in increasing the visibility of trans men in Hollywood.

Jari Jones

Jari Jones is a well-known model and actor who has appeared in campaigns for major brands like Calvin Klein. She’s a passionate advocate for body positivity and the rights of transgender people, especially within the arts. Jones intentionally seeks out acting roles that showcase the richness and diversity of the transgender community, believing that stories can be powerful tools for creating positive change and empowering others.

Ts Madison

Ts Madison is a talented actor and media personality, recognizable from her role in the film ‘Zola’. She started building a following online and has since become a successful figure in mainstream entertainment. Madison is celebrated for her confident and direct style, both in her acting and how she presents herself to the public. She frequently portrays strong, self-assured characters who are in control of their own lives.

Peppermint

Peppermint is a talented performer with a background in drag and modeling who has become a successful actor. She’s known for making history as the first openly transgender woman to star in a leading role on Broadway, in the musical ‘Head Over Heels.’ Peppermint actively looks for roles that showcase the strength and artistry of the transgender community, and she dedicates time to mentoring up-and-coming trans artists.

Miss Lawrence

Miss Lawrence is a talented fashion expert and actor, known for her roles in the TV show ‘Star’ and the movie ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’. She’s celebrated for bringing sophistication and style to her characters. Lawrence is passionate about creating opportunities for Black transgender and gender non-conforming people to portray glamorous roles, and she highlights the important cultural contributions of this community.

Alexandra Grey

Alexandra Grey is an actor and model who has been in shows like ‘Empire’ and ‘Chicago Med’. She’s praised for her powerful and realistic performances, which avoid common clichés. Grey often chooses roles that portray trans women as professionals and family members, and her work highlights how important it is to see diverse and genuine characters on screen.

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox is a groundbreaking actor and model best known for her role in ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She made history as the first transgender person to receive a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for acting. Cox has consistently worked to change the way transgender stories are told in Hollywood, moving away from narratives focused on hardship. She continues to create and star in projects that highlight the achievements and history of the trans community.

Isis King

Isis King became well-known after appearing on ‘America’s Next Top Model’ and has since enjoyed success as both a model and an actress, notably in ‘When They See Us’. She’s passionate about portraying transgender characters as relatable people with ambitious goals and actively advocates for more diversity and inclusion in casting throughout the entertainment industry.

Arisce Wanzer

Arisce Wanzer is a fashion model who’s also been on TV and in movies. She’s known for being quick-witted and for speaking out about the need for more transgender representation in fashion. Wanzer looks for acting parts that let her showcase her personality and experience, and she’s dedicated to pushing the fashion industry to move beyond simply including trans people as a gesture, and instead embrace genuine inclusivity.

Dominique Silver

Dominique Silver is a model and actress who’s been featured in several independent films. She’s committed to portraying the beauty and resilience of trans women of color in her work. Silver actively seeks roles that let her explore deep and nuanced emotions, avoiding stereotypical portrayals. As a quickly rising talent, she also champions increased opportunities for transgender performers.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe is a celebrated artist known for their work in music, acting, and modeling. They are openly nonbinary and dedicated to creating stories that include transgender voices. Monáe frequently portrays characters who are forward-thinking and question traditional expectations. Their roles in films like ‘Hidden Figures’ and ‘Moonlight’ have significantly increased representation on screen.

Quintessa Swindell

Quintessa Swindell is a nonbinary actor and model who has appeared in shows like ‘Trinkets’ and the movie ‘Black Adam’. They’re known for portraying characters with depth and complexity, going beyond simple gender labels. Swindell actively chooses roles that allow them to explore a full spectrum of emotions and human experiences, and their work is helping to create more inclusive and diverse stories in Hollywood.

Eva Reign

Eva Reign is an actor and writer known for her role in the film ‘Anything’s Possible’. She’s also worked as a model for brands that champion inclusive beauty. Reign often speaks about wanting to portray characters who find love and happiness, and her role in ‘Anything’s Possible’ was praised for offering a hopeful and realistic depiction of being a transgender teenager.

Yasmin Finney

Yasmin Finney is a British actor and model who became well-known for her role in the popular series ‘Heartstopper’. She’s appeared in major fashion magazines and advertising campaigns throughout Europe. Finney focuses on playing transgender characters who have loving and supportive relationships, and her work has resonated with audiences worldwide, emphasizing the need for positive and relatable teen characters.

Mya Taylor

Mya Taylor is an acclaimed actor and model, best known for her performance in the film ‘Tangerine’. Since then, she’s worked on a number of TV shows and independent films. Taylor is praised for making her characters feel authentic and funny, and she’s dedicated to finding roles that portray transgender characters with dignity and complexity.

Share your thoughts on these trailblazing performers in the comments.

2026-01-07 15:16