Show Notes

Laverne Cox is best-known for playing Sophia Burset on the Netflix series Orange Is The New Black. But before landing the role of a lifetime, Cox struggled to book auditions. At 40 years old, she found herself in housing court for the second time, on the precipice of homelessness. Join us this week as we tell Cox’s trailblazing story. From being rejected by 496 agents, to becoming the first Transgender person in history nominated for a primetime acting Emmy.

Major sources for this episode include:
1) TIME – Laverne Cox Talks To TIME About The Transgender Movement
2) True Transgender Stories (YouTube) – Laverne Cox (I’m From Mobile, AL)
3) Salon – She’s A Survivor
4) Essence – Laverne Cox Almost Quit Acting Months Before OITNB: I was Devastated By Turning 40 And My Life Was in Shambles
5) NPR – ‘I Kinda Stole The Show’: Laverne Cox And The Path To Prestige Television
6) The Towerlight – Laverne Cox Shares Journey of Transition and Triumph with TU
7) Daily Press – Laverne Cox Shares Her Journey To Fame and Self-Acceptance

From the creators of Under the Influence:
Executive Producer & Co-Host: Terry O’Reilly
Writer & Host: Sidney O’Reilly
Research: Allison Pinches
Director: Callie O’Reilly
Supervising Producer: Debbie O’Reilly
Engineer: Geoff Devine
Theme music: Ian Lefeuvre & Ari Posner

This show is brought to you by the Apostrophe Podcast Network and powered by Acast.