Black Female Celebs Who Were Born Male

Representation is growing thanks to a powerful wave of Black trans women who are shaping film, TV, fashion, music, and media. They are winning major awards, leading hit shows, fronting campaigns for global brands, and building opportunities for others behind the scenes. This list highlights notable achievements and projects so you can discover their work and follow their impact. Use it as a guide to find new performances to watch and artists to support.

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox broke through to mainstream audiences with a standout role on the Netflix series ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She became the first openly trans person nominated for a Primetime Emmy in an acting category. Cox has hosted and produced red carpet programming and documentaries that center trans experiences. She also launched initiatives that mentor emerging creators in the industry.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez earned historic recognition for her lead role on ‘Pose’. She later starred in network comedies and released original music that charted on streaming platforms. Rodriguez has performed at major award shows and headlined global brand campaigns. She frequently partners with nonprofits focused on arts access for LGBTQ+ youth.

Dominique Jackson

Dominique Jackson became widely known for her commanding performance on ‘Pose’. She is an author and a longtime advocate who speaks at conferences about inclusion in fashion and media. Jackson has walked runways for prominent designers and booked major beauty campaigns. She also appears in reality and documentary projects that highlight ballroom culture.

Angelica Ross

Angelica Ross has had key roles on ‘Pose’ and ‘American Horror Story’. She founded a tech education company that teaches coding skills to underrepresented communities. Ross hosts events that connect hiring managers with diverse talent in STEM fields. She produces stage productions and digital series that center trans narratives.

Janet Mock

Janet Mock is a writer, director, and producer whose work helped shape ‘Pose’. She signed a landmark overall deal with a major studio to develop new series. Mock’s memoirs are bestsellers and are taught in university courses. She directs episodes of popular streaming dramas and mentors young writers through labs and fellowships.

TS Madison

TS Madison is a media personality who hosts talk shows and appears in films and scripted TV. She became the first openly trans woman to star in and executive produce a reality series on a major network. Madison frequently collaborates with charting musicians and serves as a commentator on culture programs. She runs a thriving digital platform that amplifies LGBTQ+ creators.

Peppermint

Peppermint first gained wide attention on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ and has since acted on Broadway and television. She originated roles in new musicals and toured internationally as a recording artist. Peppermint organizes benefit concerts that raise funds for LGBTQ+ housing and healthcare. She also hosts podcasts that spotlight queer history and activism.

Isis King

Isis King became known from ‘America’s Next Top Model’ and later built a steady acting career. She appeared in acclaimed limited series such as ‘When They See Us’. King has modeled for inclusive fashion lines and worked with accessible design projects. She advocates for trans housing security and participates in mentorship programs for young models.

Amiyah Scott

Amiyah Scott starred on the Fox drama ‘Star’ and brought ballroom influences to the show’s performances. She previously built a large social following that led to acting opportunities. Scott partners with cosmetics and hair brands on inclusive product campaigns. She frequently hosts community events that support queer youth centers.

Hailie Sahar

Hailie Sahar played a central role on ‘Pose’ and appears in music videos and independent films. She is a singer who releases original tracks and performs live with a backing band. Sahar works with organizations that provide resources to survivors of discrimination and violence. She also speaks at film festivals about authentic casting and representation.

Munroe Bergdorf

Munroe Bergdorf is a British model and broadcaster who fronts beauty and fashion campaigns. She serves on advisory boards that guide diversity policies for major brands. Bergdorf hosts documentaries for television and appears on panel shows covering culture and politics. She uses her platform to fundraise for trans-led charities and community groups.

Raquel Willis

Raquel Willis is a journalist, editor, and author whose work appears in leading outlets. She directed communications at a national advocacy organization and launched programs that elevate trans storytellers. Willis produces live events and podcasts that center Black trans voices. Her book tours include campus talks focused on media literacy and civic engagement.

Jari Jones

Jari Jones is an actress and model who appeared in a high profile Calvin Klein campaign. She produces independent films and short projects that highlight queer love and joy. Jones curates screenings and talkbacks at art houses and museums. She also consults on inclusive casting and crew hiring practices.

Shea Diamond

Shea Diamond is a singer and songwriter known for powerful soul and rock vocals. Her tracks are featured in series soundtracks and playlisted by major platforms. Diamond tours with a live band and collaborates with producers across genres. She advocates for criminal justice reform and partners with organizations that offer reentry support.

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy is a veteran activist who mentors generations of organizers. She leads programs that provide housing, healthcare, and legal aid for trans people. Miss Major’s life is the subject of a documentary that screens at festivals and campuses. She continues to give keynote talks that fund community centers and mutual aid networks.

Leyna Bloom

Leyna Bloom made history as the first Black and Asian trans woman featured on the cover of ‘Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’. She has acted in independent films and guest starred on television series. Bloom walks runways at global fashion weeks and fronts luxury brand campaigns. She supports scholarship funds for dancers and models from underrepresented backgrounds.

Honey Dijon

Honey Dijon is a celebrated DJ and producer who headlines festivals and fashion events. She creates original music and remixes for top designers’ runway shows. Dijon collaborates with apparel brands on capsule collections and soundtracks. She advocates for fair pay and safe working conditions for nightlife workers.

Hailie Sahar

Hailie Sahar’s continued work includes new music releases and guest roles on television. She participates in acting workshops that open doors for queer and trans performers. Sahar regularly joins benefit events that fund shelters and crisis hotlines. She also consults with casting teams on inclusive audition processes.

Indya Moore

Indya Moore starred as Angel on ‘Pose’ and brought widespread attention to the experiences of trans models and sex workers. Moore has appeared in studio films and major fashion campaigns for global brands. They launched a production company that centers stories by marginalized creators. Moore frequently speaks at universities and festivals about equity in casting and storytelling.

Alexandra Grey

Alexandra Grey earned roles on ‘Empire’ and ‘MacGyver’ and built a steady career across network and streaming projects. She released original music and performs live shows that blend pop and R and B. Grey has modeled for inclusive fashion lines and appears in beauty features for national magazines. She mentors young actors through workshops that focus on preparing for auditions and set life.

Mya Taylor

Mya Taylor broke out in the indie film ‘Tangerine’ and received multiple breakthrough awards for her performance. She has guest starred on television series and continues to work in independent cinema. Taylor supports programs that connect trans performers with agents and casting directors. She participates in film festival panels that discuss access and fair compensation.

Juliana Huxtable

Juliana Huxtable is an artist DJ and writer whose work appears in major museums and biennials. She performs internationally and collaborates with designers on runway soundscapes. Huxtable publishes essays and poetry that explore identity technology and nightlife culture. She curates events that showcase emerging Black trans musicians and visual artists.

Koko Da Doll

Koko Da Doll appeared in the documentary ‘Kokomo City’ which premiered at Sundance and won multiple awards. She recorded music and performed in clubs that support independent artists. Her story brought attention to safety for Black trans women in nightlife and entertainment. The film’s outreach campaign partnered with nonprofits to raise funds for community programs.

CeCe McDonald

CeCe McDonald is an activist whose case brought national attention to the criminalization of trans women of color. She appears in documentaries and speaks at universities about self defense and abolitionist organizing. McDonald collaborates with artists on projects that support mutual aid. She helps develop workshops that teach community safety strategies.

Daniella Carter

Daniella Carter is a media producer and advocate who develops content with a focus on youth homelessness. She speaks at Fortune 500 companies and schools about inclusive hiring pathways. Carter partners with studios to staff trans apprentices behind the camera. She also creates toolkits that help community centers serve LGBTQ youth.

Shauna Brooks

Shauna Brooks is an author and media personality who appears on talk shows and reality television. She advocates for fair treatment of trans people in the entertainment press. Brooks partners with beauty brands on inclusive product launches. She leads conversations about consent privacy and mental health in celebrity culture.

Share your favorite performances or projects by these creators in the comments so others can check them out.