By Michaela Jaé Rodriguez
Transgender actor Nava Mau shares her first reaction to Baby Reindeer's Emmy nomination | WATCH
As one of the leads in FX’s “Pose,” actress and singer Michaela Jaé Rodriguez won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Drama; she also became the first transgender woman to receive an Emmy nomination in a major acting category. The star, who currently stars in Apple TV+’s “Loot,” submitted this column to Variety in support of “Baby Reindeer” star Nava Mau, who is nominated this year in the category of Supporting Actress in a Limited Series.
When I received a Golden Globe Award for my work on “Pose,” there was an outpouring of love and support. I know that recognition was about my craft, but I also know that deep down it was about the community. That nomination and win were decades in the making. Before I came on the scene, trans actors like Candis Cayne, Alexandra Billings, and Laverne Cox — among talented others — paved the way for me to play roles that would challenge and showcase my artistry and breathe new personas into the culture.
As someone who has had the privilege of working in front of the camera and experienced the power of recognition, I understand the profound impact it can have on an artist, individually, and on a community, collectively. Awards aren’t just about accolades; they open doors, bring new stories, and invite us to see hope and possibility in the future of storytelling. It’s been an honor to be a part of building that future and to see Nava Mau become one of the artistic pioneers of our community.
