Mya Taylor met Sean Baker, the creator of Tangerine, at the Los Angeles LGBT Center when she started transitioning. He was instantly charmed by her. Sean decided right then that she would be perfect for the role of Alexandra in Tangerine. Here's a few reason why I think Mya deserves an Oscar for her role!
Her Past
Mya is a trans woman who played a trans character in Tangerine. She's also an ex-sex worker who played a sex worker. Her lived reality gave Alexandra's character more power through Mya's past.
Her Acting Ability
It's true that cis people win Oscars for playing trans roles while a trans person has never won one. This doesn't mean that Mya should be nominated for an Oscar just because she's a trans person, but she's also very talented. She may not have gone to an acting conservatory or studied at New York University, but her self-taught skills dominated Tangerine.
The Girl Can Sing Too!
One of the most touching scenese in Tangerine is the one of Alexandra singing Christmas carols in a gay bar on Christmas Eve to an empty room. Mya not only brought a strong acting performance to the film but she sang beautifully. Mya breaks all kinds of glass ceilings with her talent.
Alexandra Was the Peanut Butter to Sin-Dee's Jelly
While Mya plays the supporting role in Tangerine, her acting skills were vital as the glue that kept the film together. Alexandra's vulnerability and stoic beauty balanced out Sin-Dee, making the film feel fuller and warmer.
A Trans Person Needs to Win
It's time a trans person was included in the cis-dominated world of the Oscars. Cis audiences have raved over cis people playing trans people in the past while erasing trans lived realitities and transgender actors. It's just time, and Mya deserves to be the first.
Sapphic outlaw moviesNew Line Cinema; A24; Samuel Goldwyn Company
Gay horror films 'Death Drop Gorgeous,' 'Midnight Kiss,' and 'Nightmare on Elm Street 2.'Dark Star Pictures; Hulu; New Line Cinema
