Mj Rodriguez becomes first trans actress to win a Golden Globe: ‘Love wins’
"This is the door that is going to open the door for many more young talented individuals."
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Mj Rodriguez as Blanca on Pose (FX)
All hail mother! Mj Rodriguez, star of the hit TV series Pose, has made history as the first trans actress to win a Golden Globe.
At the quieter than usual ceremony which took place in Los Angeles on Sunday evening (9 January), Rodriguez, who stars as Blanca Evangelista in New York-set show, won the award for Best Actress in a TV Drama.
This year’s Golden Globes was not televised due to controversy surrounding the organisation behind the event, Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). The HFPA has been accused of corruption and faced criticism after the LA Times reported that it had no Black members.
“LOVE WINS”
Taking to Instagram following her win, which came just two days after her birthday, Rodriguez reflected on how much the award meant to her as well as others in the LGBTQ community.
“You talking about sickening birthday present [sic]! Thank you! This is the door that is going to Open the door for many more young talented individuals,” the star 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!!!!!”
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Addressing her fellow nominees – Jennifer Aniston, Uzo Aduba, Elisabeth Moss, and Christine Baranski – she added: ” To the nominees we are Queens. I’m so happy to share space with you! Each and every last one of you women are phenomenal.”
In an Instagram live, Mj emphasised that her win was for the LGBTQIA community. She also thanked the show’s creators, writers and her cast as messages of congratulations flooded in in the comments.
MJ Rodriguez discussing her Golden Globes win. pic.twitter.com/TiFruvbgHV
— Jarohn Johnson (@JarohnJ) January 10, 2022
The Pose star made history last year as the first trans actress to be nominated for a Leading Actress Emmy for her role in the show and has previously called out awards for their lack of recognition to trans performers.
Elsewhere, queer actress Ariana DeBose won for her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story, while actor Kodi Smit-McPhee won a Best Supporting Actor award for his role in The Power Of The Dog, which was named best drama film.
Its director, Jane Campion, was named best director for her work on the film; a gritty Western about queer cowboys.
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