20 Most Famous Trans Women in Entertainment

Trans women are changing entertainment in front of and behind the camera, on stages, and across airwaves. Their work reaches global audiences through film, television, music, and fashion, and their careers include major awards, breakout roles, bestselling books, and headline performances. These names represent a wide span of creative fields and national backgrounds, with credits at the biggest studios and festivals in the world.

Below are twenty widely known trans women whose contributions have become part of everyday culture. You will see lead roles on hit shows, starring turns in acclaimed movies, chart topping singles, history making modeling milestones, and key creative jobs in writers rooms and director chairs.

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox earned international recognition with her role in ‘Orange Is the New Black’, which led to a Primetime Emmy nomination in acting and made television history. She has hosted major live red carpet broadcasts and appeared in network and streaming projects across scripted comedy and drama.

Her producing and documentary work has focused on industry access and representation, and she has spoken at film festivals and universities around the world. Magazine covers, brand partnerships, and a growing list of screen credits have kept her at the center of mainstream entertainment.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez became the first trans woman to win a Golden Globe for acting for her lead performance in ‘Pose’. She later expanded into music releases and headline concerts while booking roles in television comedies and genre projects.

Her stage background includes regional and New York theater, and she continues to record and collaborate with producers across pop and R and B. She appears at award shows and fashion events while maintaining a busy slate of film and television work.

Hunter Schafer

Hunter Schafer broke out with ‘Euphoria’, where she also co wrote and helped shape a special episode centered on her character. She has since moved into feature films, including a major role in the ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise, along with festival premieres in independent cinema.

Her modeling career includes runway shows and campaigns for leading fashion houses. She also designs and paints, and her visual art influences costume and character work across her screen roles.

Kim Petras

Kim Petras is a pop singer and songwriter who has released global hits and collaborated with top chart artists. She won a Grammy for a duo performance and has performed on the largest award show stages and late night programs.

Her discography includes a studio album, multiple EPs, and viral singles that have accumulated billions of streams. She headlines tours, plays major festivals, and partners with fashion and beauty brands for high profile campaigns.

Janet Mock

Janet Mock is a writer, director, and producer whose work on ‘Pose’ included scripting pivotal episodes and directing for television. She later signed landmark development deals and moved into feature writing while continuing to produce prestige series.

She is also a bestselling author whose memoirs are taught in university courses. Media outlets regularly profile her career, and she speaks at film and television conferences about creative leadership and inclusive hiring.

Hari Nef

Hari Nef works in both fashion and film, with acting credits in ‘Transparent’ and a supporting role in ‘Barbie’. She has appeared in prestige television and studio comedies while continuing to model for major designers and magazines.

Her essays and interviews have run in leading publications, and she collaborates with photographers and directors across editorial and commercial shoots. She balances studio projects with independent films that premiere at top festivals.

Dominique Jackson

Dominique Jackson is best known for her commanding performance in ‘Pose’. She began in fashion and pageants, later walking runways and appearing in campaigns that led to television roles.

Her memoir chronicles her path from Tobago to global television. She continues to book acting work, attend fashion weeks, and appear at cultural institutions for readings and talks connected to her screen career.

Angelica Ross

Angelica Ross starred in ‘Pose’ and later joined the anthology series ‘American Horror Story’. She founded TransTech Social Enterprises to create training and job opportunities in the tech and creative sectors.

Her screen work spans drama and comedy, and she performs on stage with musical theater credits. She produces digital series, hosts live events, and consults on inclusive production practices for studios.

Yasmin Finney

Yasmin Finney earned widespread attention with ‘Heartstopper’, a hit coming of age series on streaming. She later joined ‘Doctor Who’, bringing her to one of the longest running franchises in television.

Her background includes social media videos that showcased acting and storytelling skills. She appears on magazine covers and participates in fan conventions connected to her shows.

Valentina Sampaio

Valentina Sampaio is a Brazilian model and actress who became the first trans model featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue and worked with Victoria’s Secret. She has appeared on international magazine covers and walked at major fashion weeks.

Her acting roles include streaming dramas and short films that screen at festivals. She continues to sign beauty contracts and front campaigns for global brands while expanding into longer form screen projects.

Jamie Clayton

Jamie Clayton rose to prominence with ‘Sense8’, where she played one of the ensemble leads across multiple cities. She later took the central role in the horror feature ‘Hellraiser’, introducing the franchise to a new generation.

Before acting she worked as a makeup artist, which informed her understanding of character design on set. Her television credits include guest and recurring roles across network and streaming series.

Trace Lysette

Trace Lysette appeared in ‘Transparent’ and later headlined the feature film ‘Monica’, which premiered at a top European festival and earned wide critical attention. She also had a supporting role in the hit film ‘Hustlers’.

Her early career included background work and ballroom performance, which led to auditions and recurring television roles. She continues to develop film projects as a producer in addition to acting.

Alexandra Billings

Alexandra Billings is a stage and screen actor known to television audiences from ‘Transparent’. She joined the Broadway company of ‘Wicked’ as Madame Morrible, becoming one of the few trans women to play a principal role in a long running blockbuster musical.

Her career includes teaching and mentoring in theater programs, along with guest roles on network series and streaming dramas. She often records albums and performs in concerts that showcase her cabaret roots.

Nicole Maines

Nicole Maines played Nia Nal on ‘Supergirl’, recognized as the first trans superhero on a television series. She later wrote a special issue for DC that centered on her character and expanded that story in additional comics.

Her film work includes the vampire thriller ‘Bit’, and she has guest starred on crime dramas and genre shows. She speaks at comic cons and appears on panels about writing and performing within shared universes.

Jazz Jennings

Jazz Jennings is the star of the reality series ‘I Am Jazz’, which follows her life, family, and education. The series has run for multiple seasons on cable and streaming, introducing viewers to her day to day experiences.

She is also an author of children’s and young adult books. Her media presence includes interviews, campus events, and collaborations with organizations that partner with television networks.

Carmen Carrera

Carmen Carrera first gained national attention on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ and later came out as a trans woman. She transitioned into high fashion modeling, working with luxury designers and appearing in editorial spreads.

Her television credits include reality series and guest appearances on talk shows. She continues to walk runways and front campaigns while booking acting roles in scripted projects.

Isis King

Isis King became the first trans contestant on ‘America’s Next Top Model’, which led to modeling contracts and runway shows. She later acted in ‘When They See Us’, earning praise for a key role in the acclaimed limited series.

Her work includes fashion campaigns, catalogs, and appearances at fashion weeks. She also books roles in streaming dramas and independent films, building a steady acting resume.

Wendy Carlos

Wendy Carlos is a pioneering composer and electronic music innovator whose film scores include ‘A Clockwork Orange’, ‘The Shining’, and ‘Tron’. Her early synthesizer recordings changed the sound of modern music and influenced generations of film composers.

She consulted on instrument design and worked closely with engineers to refine analog and digital tools used in studios. Her catalog spans classical interpretations and original compositions for screen and album releases.

TS Madison

TS Madison is an internet personality and producer who moved into television with ‘The Ts Madison Experience’. She appeared in the feature film ‘Zola’ and serves as a frequent guest on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’.

Her digital platforms include talk formats and interviews with entertainers across music and comedy. She is credited on charting albums and continues to develop unscripted and scripted projects.

SOPHIE

SOPHIE was a producer and artist whose innovative electronic singles such as ‘Ponyboy’ and ‘Faceshopping’ influenced pop worldwide. Her debut album earned a Grammy nomination and led to collaborations with major stars.

Her production credits span experimental club tracks and radio hits for artists in North America and Europe. Music videos and live shows showcased a distinct visual language that shaped the direction of contemporary pop.

Share the names you think belong here too and tell us in the comments who you would add and why.