The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most reputable, most talked about, and most exclusive film gatherings in the world.
So, any film that premieres at this super-selective event is guaranteed to get tons of international exposure, prestige, and — most importantly — distribution to theaters and streaming services. For context, the critically-acclaimed Roma, BlacKkKlansman, Pulp Fiction, The Godfather Part II, and Dirty Dancing have all premiered at Cannes.
That's why it's a HUGE deal that model and actress Leyna Bloom just became the first transgender woman of color to lead a film that's premiering at Cannes!!! Keep in mind that the festival has been around for 72 years.
Leyna plays the role of Wye in filmmaker Danielle Lessovitz’s Port Authority, a love story grounded in New York City's famous kiki ballroom scene and LGBTQ community. Playing the role of Paul, Wye's 20-something love interest, is Fionn Whitehead of Dunkirk and Netflix's Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. Movie icon Martin Scorsese even co-signed the film and is backing it through his production company.
Leyna shared the big news this morning on Instagram, along with a heartfelt message. "As a transwoman of color, I am so proud to represent my ballroom community and share our diverse queer beauty with the world!" she wrote.
Out spoke with the leading lady about this historic moment, and I highly recommend checking out the full interview: "For me this is really like that Halle Berry moment when she won that Oscar for Monster’s Ball — I know that it’s a moment that should have happened a long time ago."
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“When I first heard that we were premiering at Cannes, I really had to think about all of the women that paved the way that should have also gone, all the women who could have been in a movie and could have played a role like this," she added. "This is a moment that so many people dream of."
The once homeless star has been making a big name for herself in the fashion world, shutting down runways worldwide and making magazine history in glossies like Vogue India, but this project marks her film debut. She actually beat out more than 1,000 potentials who were up for the role.
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“We chose Leyna because we wanted to do the most authentic casting possible, and we wanted to honor ballroom culture," Damian Bao told Out. He co-casted the film and went on to become Leyna's manager. "There’s nothing more authentic to pay tribute than to cast someone from that community and she embodies the spirit of the character.”
A MOVIE STAR IS BORN!!! CAN'T WAIT TO CATCH YOU ON THE BIG SCREEN, LEYNA <3
BONUS: Leyna opens up about wanting to be the first trans model to walk Victoria's Secret fashion show.
