Michaela Jaé Rodriguez Source: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

'Pose' Star Michaela Jaé Rodriguez Makes History with Golden Globe

Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.

'Pose' Star Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (formerly known as Mj Rodriguez) became the first openly transgender actor to win a Golden Globe, taking the prize for best actress in a drama series for her role as Bianca, a ballroom scene house mother in 1980s New York City, in the course of the Jan. 9 awards ceremony.

The ceremony's winners were tweeted in real time this year rather than the show being broadcast or livestreamed. Stars and studios largely shunned the annual awards following news reports about the lack of representation among its small cadre of members, among other controversies.

Still, Rodriguez took to social media to celebrate her win.

NBC News, which reported on Rodriguez' win, noted that the prize also marked the first Golden Globe for the show overall.

"Rodriguez made history for the first time last summer after becoming the first transgender performer to be nominated for a lead acting Emmy," the NBC News article added. "Rodriguez did not end up winning that award."

Co-star Billy Porter, who portrayed Pray Tell on the series, was nominated for his work on "Pose" for three years running, winning the Emmy in 2019.

The series was Emmy-nominated multiple times in a variety of categories, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Direction, and Outstanding Writing, but aside from Porter's win the show took only a handful of Emmys, winning in the categories of Contemporary Costumes, Contemporary Hairstyling, and Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic), all in 2021. The series also garnered "Television academy Honors" in 2019.

"While 'Pose' has been hailed for the largest transgender cast in a scripted series, the show's stars have been vocal regarding the lack of award recognition they have received," the NBC News article went on to note.


by Kilian Melloy , EDGE Staff Reporter

Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.

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