Mya Taylor’s stellar performance in Tangerinewas the talk of 2015—for good reason. The film had tonnes of heart, clever gags, a killer soundtrack and a great backstory. Here’s the abridged version: when Mya met the film’s director, Sean Baker, at the LGBT Centre in West Hollywood they immediately hit it off, and though Mya had never acted before Sean brought her on board. She starred alongside her friends and fellow newcomer Kitana Kiki Rodriguez. Their naturalistic performances made Tangerine one our favourite films of the year, easily.
tangerine: the hit film about trans sex workers shot on an iphone
Last week, Mya’s work was rewarded with the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female. She’s the first trans actor the ceremony has honoured. Mya celebrated her historic win with a glowing speech: “There is transgender talent. There is very beautiful transgender talent. You better get out there and put it in your next movie.” Last year, she also made history at the Gotham Awards, as the first trans actor ever awarded.
Watch her Independent Spirit acceptance speech below.