Pose star Mj Rodriguez makes history as first trans actress to win at Golden Globes
Mj Rodriguez attends the amfAR Cannes Gala 2021 at Villa Eilenroc in Cap d’Antibes, France. (P. Lehman/Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
Michaela Jaé (Mj) Rodriguez has become the first ever trans actor to win a Golden Globe, taking home the award for Best Actress in a Drama TV Series for her role in Pose.
Rodriguez, who played Blanca Evangelista in the groundbreaking FX series, made history at the muted Golden Globes on Sunday (9 January).
In her category, she was up against Uzo Aduba for In Treatment, Jennifer Aniston for The Morning Show, Christine Baranski for The Good Fight and Elisabeth Moss for The Handmaid’s Tale.
Addressing her win in an Instagram post, the Pose star, whose 31st birthday was on Friday (7 January) said: “You talking about sickening birthday present! Thank you!
“This is the door that is going to open the door for many more young talented individuals,” Mj Rodriguez wrote. They will see that it is more than possible. They will see that a young Black Latina girl from Newark, New Jersey, who had a dream, to change the minds others would WITH LOVE. LOVE WINS.
“To my young LGBTQAI babies WE ARE HERE the door is now open now reach the stars!”
She described the other nominees as “queens” and added: “I’m so happy to share space with you! Each and every last one of you women are phenomenal.”
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She later took to Instagram Live, to tell her followers that her win was “not just for me”.
Mj Rodriguez said: “This is for the LGBTQAI, Black, Latina, Asian, the many multi beautiful colours of the rainbow around the freakin’ world… This is for y’all.
“This is the door that opens for y’all. Not me, for y’all. There are going to be so many young individuals, young, talented, thriving individuals, that are going to be able to… storm in through the door.”
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The Golden Globes was not televised this year and wasn’t attended by celebrities, as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which hosts the awards, battles controversy over its lack of diversity and allegations of corruption.
Mj Rodriguez made history last year at the Emmys
Last year, Mj Rodriguez became the first trans woman nominated in the lead actress category at the Emmys, also for her Pose performance as Blanca Rodriguez.
Although she was ultimately beaten by The Crown‘s Olivia Colman, Rodriguez told NJ.com: “I think people finally see Michaela Jaé for who she really is. Mj has matured a lot.
“And now she’s grown into this strong Afro-Latina woman who is still fighting against the grain so that a lot of trans women don’t get typecast or get put into this box of how they’re supposed to act, whether it be in the world or on a television screen.”
