Mj Rodriguez Makes History with Emmy Nomination for 'Pose'

In the final season of FX's Pose, Blanca Evangelista brings her house back together for a successful go at the balls, and then finds herself being deemed legend. And now, the Emmys are giving actress Mj Rodriguez a similar honor.

Today, Rodriguez made history as the first out trans actrss ever nominated in the Lead Actress category at the Emmy awards. Previously, Laverne Cox made history when she became the first out trans person to be nominated for an Emmy Award in an acting category. That happened in 2014 when she was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series with her work on Orange Is the New Black. 

Rodriguez had her breakout moment on television with the first season of Pose and has remained as the heart of the show over the series' three seasons. Her role of Blanca Evangelista posed her as a fiercely protective and loyal mother, daughter, and friend for an ever-growing family of Black and brown queer and trans people within New York City's ballroom scene. She struck a balance that made her both relatable and aspirational. That said, Rodriguez and other trans actresses on the show have been largely ignored in terms of major acting awards.

In the category she will face off against Uzo Aduba for In Treatment, Olivia Colman and Emma Corrin for The Crown, Elizabeth Moss for The Handmaids' Tale and Journee Smollett for Lovecraft Country. 

Pose was also nominated for Outstanding Drama Series while Billy Porter was again nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work as Pray Tell.