Earlier in the night, best supporting male presenter Patricia Arquette commended the Independent Spirit Awards for honoring transgender nominees in both lead and supporting actress categories.
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Mya Taylor just made history: On Saturday afternoon, she became the first transgender actress to win a high-profile Hollywood accolade. “The first thing I thought is, ‘This movie ain’t gone be shit”, She said, laughing. Taylor told the press backstage that she applied for 186 jobs and went on 26 interviews over two years in Los Angeles. “But it turned out to be unbelievable”. “There’s very handsome transgender talent, so you’d better get out there and put it in your next movie”.
During her speech, Mya remarked on the unbelievable changes in the wake of the movie’s critical success.
“I’m hoping that it opens up more doors for artists like me and Laverne [Cox] and Janet Mock and Ts Madison and Carmen Carrera”, Taylor told Mic of Tangerine.
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While the Oscars ingnored the movie, it’s great that the Independent Spirit Awards gave it some love. Abraham Attah and Idris Elba won best actor and best supporting actor for their roles in Beasts of No Nation, along with Taylor’s win for Tangerine.
