A powerful and emotional exchange took place on the red carpet of the 2024 Emmy Awards, where groundbreaking transgender actresses Nava Mau and Laverne Cox embraced their shared history and reflected on their impact on the entertainment industry. As Mau, star of Baby Reindeer, approached Cox during the red carpet interview, the two women shared a wordless, emotional hug, setting the tone for a heartfelt conversation about transgender representation and visibility in media.
Cox, known for her role as Sophia Burset on Orange Is the New Black, was overcome with emotion as she greeted Mau, expressing her deep pride in the younger actress. “I’m so proud of you,” Cox told Mau, fanning her face to keep her composure. “This show is so incredible, and the work that you do is so amazing.” Cox, now an Emmy red carpet host for E!, has long been a beacon of trans visibility. She first made Emmy history in 2014 as the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an acting award. Ten years later, Mau, 32, stood on the same carpet, continuing that legacy as the fourth trans person to be nominated for an acting Emmy and the first in her category, Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series, for her role as Teri in Baby Reindeer.
Reflecting on her own journey, Cox reminded Mau of the significance of the moment. “Ten years ago, I became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an acting Emmy, and 10 years later, I’m not the last. You’re the fourth, and you’re the first in this category,” Cox said with a smile.
Mau responded with humility and grace, redirecting the conversation away from personal accolades and towards the broader significance of trans stories being told authentically. “I think that what we’ve been fighting for in the community is to be able to tell stories that come from the heart and that are based on a human foundation,” she said. “Because that’s who we are as trans people: we are humans, first and foremost.”
While Baby Reindeer features a trans character, Mau emphasized that its value goes beyond representation. “Yes, it’s an LGBT show; it’s a show that has a trans character on it, but it’s also a really good show, and it’s something I’m very proud of. Ultimately, I hope that we continue to get to be all that we are as trans people on screen.” Mau’s focus on the quality of the storytelling rather than solely its LGBTQ+ representation echoes a growing desire within the transgender community for characters that are nuanced, fully human, and not defined by their gender identity.
Cox, now 52, nodded in agreement, reflecting on the importance of seeing trans people as multifaceted individuals, a perspective that has often been missing in mainstream media. “What is so beautiful about being an artist and getting to tell stories,” Cox said, “is that we get to show our humanity in ways that people often try to erase.”
The two actresses’ exchange highlighted the importance of visibility for transgender individuals in the entertainment industry, particularly at a time when trans rights and representation are under intense scrutiny. Throughout their conversation, both Cox and Mau focused on the broader implications of their work, underlining the power of storytelling to create empathy and understanding.
Mau, who has long admired Cox’s trailblazing efforts, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work with her on the 2020 Netflix documentary Disclosure, which explored transgender representation in film and television. Mau worked behind the scenes as a production fellow on the project, which Cox co-executive produced. “I walked onto that set, and it was my first time being on a set of that scale. I had only ever been on a micro-budget short film set in Oakland before that,” Mau recalled. “I saw trans people in positions of leadership, and I got to see you walk in all of your grace and all of your power. I saw that I could dream bigger than what I had dreamt for myself before that. It changed me forever.”
Mau’s nomination for her performance in Baby Reindeer is part of a broader push for transgender inclusion in Hollywood, where, despite increasing representation, trans actors remain underrepresented in mainstream roles. Cox, for her part, has consistently advocated for trans talent both in front of and behind the camera. Her groundbreaking career has paved the way for others like Mau, though Cox was quick to point out that no openly transgender actor has yet won an Emmy for acting, a barrier that Mau has the chance to break.
“How special is that, for you to be making history?” Cox asked Mau during the interview, referring to the possibility that Mau could become the first out trans person to win an Emmy for a performance.
Rather than focusing on the historic nature of the moment, Mau once again brought the conversation back to the broader significance of storytelling and representation. “Ultimately, I hope we continue to get to be all that we are as trans people on screen,” she said, emphasizing that trans people should be celebrated for their humanity, not just their gender identity.
At the conclusion of their conversation, Cox asked Mau about her stunning red carpet look. Mau revealed that her custom gown was designed by Gigi Goode, a fan-favorite from RuPaul’s Drag Race. The gown, with its intricate detailing and bold statement, was a nod to Mau’s commitment to trans excellence and community. “It’s giving T4T tonight,” Mau said with a smile, using the phrase that refers to trans-for-trans collaboration and love.
The exchange between Cox and Mau was one of the most memorable moments of the evening, capturing the emotions of two women who have become symbols of resilience, talent, and progress in Hollywood. Though Mau ultimately did not win in her category, the night was a victory for transgender representation, with Baby Reindeer receiving critical acclaim and other accolades throughout the evening.
As Cox and Mau continue to break barriers in the entertainment industry, their shared history and mutual admiration serve as a reminder of how far transgender representation has come—and how far it still has to go. Both actresses left the 2024 Emmys not just as nominees, but as symbols of hope and perseverance for the transgender community.
“You’re making history, and you’re making us all so very proud,” Cox told Mau, leaving her with a final message of encouragement that resonated with the millions of viewers watching the historic moment unfold.
Transgender Visibility and Representation in Hollywood
The 2024 Emmys highlighted the growing, yet still underrepresented, presence of transgender individuals in mainstream entertainment. As more stories like Baby Reindeer and actors like Nava Mau step into the spotlight, the push for authentic and multifaceted portrayals of trans people continues to grow. While the journey is far from over, incidents like the one Cox and Mau shared on the Emmy red carpet suggest a more promising, inclusive future for transgender visibility in the media.
