All Hail Mj Rodriguez, Who Just Made History As The First Trans Woman To Win A Golden Globe
"To my young LGBTQAI babies, WE ARE HERE," Mj wrote in celebration.
It's about damn time Mj (Michaela Jaé) Rodriguez got her flowers for her stellar performance as Blanca in the beloved period ballroom drama Pose.
Well, yesterday, the actor-singer made history as the first trans woman to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV drama!!!
And just in the nick of time, too! The record-breaking series — which follows a group of Black and brown trans women in the ballroom scene of the '80s — wrapped its third and final season in June 2021.
To celebrate the momentous occasion, Mj took to Instagram: "OMG OMGGG!!!! @goldenglobes Wow! You talking about sickening birthday present! Thank you!"
Her birthday was Jan. 7, btw.
She continued, writing about the importance of visibility and opportunities for marginalized talent. "This is the door that is going to open the door for many more young talented individuals. 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," she added. "LOVE WINS. To my young LGBTQAI babies, WE ARE HERE, the door is now open, now reach the stars!!!!!"
In concluding her caption, she wrote, "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."
Mj was nominated alongside Uzo Aduba (In Treatment), Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show), Christine Baranski (The Good Fight), and Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale).
And, in a passionate Instagram Live, Mj expanded on her win and what it means to her and "the LGBTQAI, Black, Latina, Asian — the many multi beautiful colors of the rainbow around the freaking world."
Mj Rodriguez reacts to her #GoldenGlobes win & gives an acceptance speech on IG Live: "This is for the LGBTQAI, Black, Latina, Asian [communities], the many multi beautiful colors of the rainbow… This is not just for me, this is for y'all. This is the door that opens for y'all”
"This is not just for me, this is for y'all," she said. "There are so many young, talented, thriving individuals that are going to be able to trail in and storm in through the door."
In lieu of an awards ceremony acceptance speech on stage, the actor also thanked the series' co-creators, Steven Canals and Ryan Murphy, writer Janet Mock, and her "beautiful family" of costars Hailie Sahar (who plays Lulu), Dominique Jackson (who plays Elektra), Angelica Ross (who plays Candy), and Indya Moore (who plays Angel)."
Steven congratulated Mj on her win on Twitter, writing "Congratulations to my ❤️ @MjRodriguez7 who won a #GoldenGlobes tonight for her performance in @PoseOnFX!! Bravo Mutha Blanca! 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼"
Congratulations to my ❤️ @MjRodriguez7 who won a #GoldenGlobes tonight for her performance in @PoseOnFX!! Bravo Mutha Blanca! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
In a separate Twitter video, costar Angelica excitedly congratulated her fellow actor, saying, "You deserved it, girl, yes!" In the caption, she added, "CONGRATULATIONS @MjRodriguez7 FOR WINNING THE @goldenglobes AWARD!!!!!!!!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🏆 #posefx."
Previously, Mj made history as the first trans woman to be nominated for a lead actress Emmy. "I do believe this is a pivotal moment," she told Variety at the time. "There’s never been a trans woman who has been nominated as a leading outstanding actress, and I feel like that pushes the needle forward so much for now the door to be knocked down for so many people."
As you might already know, the awards show — once a staple in Hollywood's roster of events — was extremely muted. Not only was the ceremony entirely devoid of celebrity attendees and presenters, but it wasn't even televised.
If you'll recall, the Globes has been shunned by actors after a Los Angeles Times investigation found it had no Black members and a plaguing number of ethical issues that members alleged contributed to a "culture of corruption."
In conclusion: the Golden Globes may be falling off, but Mj is just getting started! I better see her booked and busy in multiple shows, movies, and other projects to come! 😌
