Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Personal context

Summary

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez is an actor and singer whose breakthrough role was Blanca in Pose, a drama about New York’s 1980s and 1990s ballroom community; she later starred in Loot and released the album 33. Her screen work spans queer community and ballroom history as well as characters whose stories do not center on gender identity. Rodriguez has repeatedly spoken in support of trans and LGBTQ people: she urged families to protect and affirm trans youth, called for pushback against laws restricting LGBTQ history and safe spaces, and joined Citi’s Chosen Name campaign. She has also discussed wanting her work to broaden trans representation and show trans women’s lives beyond stereotypes.