MJ Rodriguez

About

Singer and actress who starred in Pose as part of the largest cast of transgender actors to be starring as series regulars in a scripted show. She portrayed Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista. She also played Angel in the 2011 Off-Broadway revival of Rent, a performance that garnered her a 2011 Clive Barnes Award.

Before Fame

She attended Queen of Angels Catholic School. She wanted to be an actress from the time she was 7 years old and began pursuing the career at the age of 11. She was enrolled at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

Trivia

She was involved in the ballroom scene and was taught vogue. She graduated from Newark Arts High School and Berklee College of Music. In 2021, she became the first transgender woman to be nominated for an Emmy.

Family Life

Her mother is African-American, and her father is Puerto Rican. Her stage name of MJ comes from the Marvel Comics character Mary Jane "MJ" Watson from Spider-Man.

Associated With

She starred in the series Pose alongside Billy Porter.