Michaela Antonia Jaé Rodriguez — MJ Rodriguez — who is popularly known for her role as Blanca Evangelista in the FX’s ballroom culture drama Pose, has now been nominated under the Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the Emmys.
By virtue of the nomination, MJ Rodriguez has become the first trans woman in history to be recognized in a lead acting category. But she is not the first openly trans person to have been nominated for an Emmy. Laverne Cox was the first trans performer ever nominated in 2014, for the Guest Actress category.
“Michaela Jaé (MJ) Rodriguez’s Emmy nomination for outstanding lead actress in a drama series is a breakthrough for transgender women in Hollywood, and a long-overdue recognition for her groundbreaking performance over the past three seasons of ‘Pose,’” GLAAD President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement after the announcement.
“Additionally, the show’s nomination for Outstanding Drama Series, as well as Billy Porter’s third nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, mark a historic show that undoubtedly raised the bar for trans representation on television and changed the way viewers around the world understand the trans community. As over 40 leading LGBTQ organizations pointed out in our open letter about POSE to Emmy Award voters, representation matters. Congratulations, Michaela Jaé, Billy Porter, and the entire POSE team – the world is standing with you and applauding your talents,” Ellis added.
If Rodriguez wins in her category, she will eventually make history as the first-ever trans performer to take home an Emmy.
Till then, fingers crossed.
