In this two-part cover story podcast, actor, producer, and advocate Laverne Cox opens up big time about all aspects of her life and work, in this very special interview. Here you'll get the depths and scope of Laverne’s story, because Laverne does not hold back. You’ll learn that being entirely herself is important to the multi-talented star who sang, danced, and performed for as long as she can remember. Being of service is what makes her tick too, and here on episode 98 we talk about how both have shaped the course of her extraordinary life. We talk about Laverne’s earlier years, pre-celebrity and as a student, performer, and creative living in New York City---including a favorite funny moment with the one and only Grace Jones at Manhattan’s famed Coffee Shop, where Laverne worked for ten years. We get into her connection to New York’s club scene, her stint at Lucky Cheng’s, and being influenced by the dance culture of the 80’s and performance art. Laverne talks about the beginning of her hustle and the moment when friends and family told her, in 2008, not to accept the opportunity to be a cast member on the first season of reality series, I Want To Work For Diddy. She explains how being assaulted the day before her interview for it would lead to a leap of faith that caused her to use the moment to effect change.There was the epic postcard mailing that would open up some key doors, and on the topic of opening doors, Laverne discusses how Candis Cayne, the first openly trans woman to appear as a series regular, influenced the trajectory of her career. We discuss being a trailblazer and a barrier breaker, and Laverne’s dedication to activism and how today’s media climate has impacted it. We talk all about her documentary work, including Netlfix’s Disclosure, and how she’s grown by being behind the camera. We discuss her transition, dating and dating advice, and Laverne calls out one particularly terrible dating app date in a Look At Me Now moment. We also talk her music video moments, with John Legend and with Taylor Swift, and begin the conversation about Laverne’s pivotal role as Orange Is The New Black’s Sophia, including a poignant moment when she shares the details of her complicated, treasured, and unique relationship with her twin brother. This and much more, with more to come next week in episode 99, Part 2.

Inventing Anna
Disclosure
Orange Is the New Black
Free CeCe
Doubt on Youtube
I Want To Work For Diddy Season 1
Laverne's favorite French opera singers Mado Robin, Renée Doria, + Mady Mesplé

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