Mj Rodriguez is making Emmy Awards history! On Tuesday (July 13), Rodriguez was announced as one of the nominees in the “Lead Actress in a Drama Series” category at the upcoming 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards.
She is being recognized for her role as “Blanca Rodriguez” in the FX show, Pose. She makes history by becoming the first transgender performer to secure an Emmy nomination in a lead acting category.
In a phone interview with Deadline, the actress expressed her thoughts on the nomination. She said, “I’m feeling so many emotions. I’m feeling joy, and I’m feeling accomplished. I finally feel seen.” She talked about how she feels as if she is celebrating her late uncle “because I feel like he had his hands on me and the cast of Pose.”
Rodriguez reflected on being a young girl from Northern New Jersey who always dreamt big. However, she never envisioned a recognition like this as an openly trans and Afro-Latinx performer. She gracefully said, “I love what I do and that I represent every intersectionality of my being a trans artist who identifies as a woman and being Black and Latina.”
The actress sent a message to trans artists who dream of being in her position one day. She said, “If anyone tries to tell you your existence isn’t worthy, look at the girl from North New Jersey who had nothing and worked hard and is here now. Look to her, and she’ll always be there telling you everything you’ve ever dreamed of is possible. You deserve it, and you are worthy.”
In addition to Rodriguez’s nomination, Pose scored a total of nine nominations. Among those nominations include “Outstanding Drama Series,” Billy Porter for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series,” and Steven Canals for “Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series.” When the show debuted in 2018, it made history for featuring the biggest cast of transgender actors in a series.
The 2021 Primetime Emmy Awards air on Sunday, September 19, on CBS. What do you think about Mj Rodriguez’s groundbreaking nomination? Let us know by leaving a reaction down below or sending us a tweet @celebsecrets!
