Transitioning as a Child and Beyond w/ Nicole Maines

Larger than life fashion journalist, stylist, creative director and editor André Leon Talley passed away unexpectedly on January 18, 2022. In this episode of love, respect, admiration and reflection, Laverne and her exceptional guests remind us why the world, the fashion world in particular, will miss the late great André Leon Talley. Iconic fashion designer and André’s longtime friend Norma Kamali shares stories starting from their early days in 1970’s New York City and Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post journalist Robin Givhan offers an industry perspective from the last 25 years of his life. Both are intimate, knowing, and candid, and say the same thing: there will never be another ALT.

A New Line: Robin Givhan Interviews André Leon Talley (2017) (courtesy of Washington Post Live Events)

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

More Links of Interest:

A.L.T. by André Leon Talley

Chiffon Trenches by André Leon Talley

The Gospel According to Andre (Documentary Official Trailer)

A Memorial for André Leon Talley (NYT)

André Leon Talley, the Pioneering Vogue Editor, Has Died at 73 (Vogue)

Norma Kamali: I Am Invincible (book)

Grace Jones Studio 54 New Years Eve Party (costume designed by Norma Kamali)

Jessye Norman (Opera Legends Documentary, YouTube)

ALT on Meeting Lagerfeld and Being Correct (YouTube)

John Fairchild, author of Fashionable Savages

Hilton Als' Profile (The New Yorker, 1994)

The Collection of André Leon Talley (Christie’s)

ALT Recent Auction (The Cut)

Laverne Cox and André Leon Talley on Watch What Happens Live 2015 

Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Reinvents Lingerie (TIME, 2019)

André Leon Talley Dishes on Galliano, McQueen, and Lagerfeld, Darling (Interview Mag, 2020)

Andre Leon Talley Day (WWD, 2022)

Other Episodes Mentioned Relevant:

The Spirituality of Club Culture w/ Honey Dijon

Diary: Where Fashion Meets Art

The Legendary Life of Connie Fleming, Part I and Part II

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**Be sure to hear ALEX NEWELL'S 2023 TONY AWARD ACCEPTANCE SPEECH (X or TikTok)

Laverne has a fun catch-up sesh with her good friend Broadway supertalent Alex Newell. This year, Alex was one of the two gender nonconforming actors to ever win a Tony. They got theirs for their show-stopping performance as Lulu in the hit new musical Shucked. They walk Laverne through their rise to the Broadway stage, their unusual anatomy which plays a big role in their incredible voice, what’s next on their calendar, and most importantly, the crucial role The Fresh Prince of Bel Air had in their life. 

ALEX NEWELL 2023 TONY AWARD ACCEPTANCE SPEECH TRANSCRIPT:

“ I'm not going to hold y'all because it's hot in here. I have wanted this my entire life. I thank each and every one of you in this room right now. And mommy, I love you. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for teaching me what strength is. To my entire building and cast and crew of Shucked, you are my rock. I love you all. Thank you for seeing me, Broadway. I should not be up here as a queer, non binary, fat, black, little baby from Massachusetts. To anyone that thinks that they can't do it, I'm going to look you dead in your face that you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to.”

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

Links of Interest:

Alex Singing “Independently Owned” on The Voice Finale (2023) 

Alex’s Audition for The Glee Project Singing “And I Am Telling You”

The Glee Project

Alex Singing "I Am Changing" at 18 (credit Luciano Ferreiro)

Alex Singing “I Am Changing” at 22 (with Boston Gay Men’s Chorus)

Alex Singing “I Am Changing” at 29 (for Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth) (credit Shoshana Medney / bwaySHO)

The Broadway League

Alex Vocal Range (YouTube)

“Independently Owned” (Official Video) | Shucked

Alex in Once on This Island, “Mama Will Provide” (2018 Tony Awards)

Nell Carter

Jennifer Holliday

Black Music Archive

Alex Singing One of Producer Brooke’s Favorite Songs Ever

Other Episodes Mentioned or Relevant:

Overcoming Trauma Through Art w/ Billy Porter

Opera & Diva Worship w/ Ira Siff

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The legislative war against the LGBTQ+ community has been relentless and according to powerhouse civil rights attorney Alejandra Caraballo it may get even worse next year. Conservative republicans have introduced over 500 state bills this year alone to deny healthcare, threaten businesses and allies, and to try to force LGBTQ+ folks back into closets and shadows. But there are things we can do - and the first thing is to congratulate Alejandra. 

This conversation was recorded in June (2023) when most of the legislative proposals were complete for the year. 

See links below for updated legislative actions and stats and other resources.

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

Links of Interest:

Alejandra Caraballo on Instagram

2023 Legislative Session Tracker (ACLU)

2023 National Bills (Trans Legislation Tracker)

Map: Attacks on Gender Affirming Care by State (Human Rights Campaign)

Transition Related Care for Transgender Youth (National Center for Transgender Equality)

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TILDEF)

Campaign for Southern Equality

Human Rights Campaign (HRC)

GLAAD

Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8 (pub. 9/22, World Professional Association for Transgender Health)

The time to panic about anti-trans legislation is now (Vox)

The Far Right Is Calling for the Execution of Teachers and Doctors  (Vice)

PFLAG Resources 

Wilhoit’s Law

How DeSantis’ Fight With Disney Began (Washington Post)

Target becomes latest company to suffer backlash… (AP)

Other Episodes Mentioned or Relevant:

Reclaiming the Trans Narrative w/ Chase Strangio & Miss Peppermint

Transitioning as a Child & Beyond w/ Nicole Maines

Pushing Back Against Anti-Trans Media & Policies w/ Chase Strangio

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some fashion rises above normal clothing and becomes at some point art. Laverne shares her passion for fashion and the thrill of the chase. Her vintage designer collection is not only a resource for joy but the thrill of owning seminal pieces and seeing the development of a brilliant designer over time is just fun. Then there’s SEAM RIPPING!

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

Links of Interest:

Behind the Fashion - Summertime: A TripHopera

Summertime: A Trip Hopera Music Video

Thierry Mugler

Thierry Mugler at Brooklyn Museum

Thierry Mugler Jacket Animation (Fashion Institute of Technology)

Connie Fleming walking for Mugler - MUST SEE

George Michael - Too Funky (Official Video)

George Michael - Too Funky (Thierry Mugler Original Director's Cut)

John Galliano

Comme des Garçons

Issey Miyaki (New York Times Obit)

Lady Miss Kier

André Leon Talley (New York Times Obit)

Other Episodes Mentioned or Relevant:

The Spirituality of Club Culture w/ Honey Dijon

The Legendary Life of Connie Fleming, Part I and Part II

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

*Please note the opera glossary and links to audio below!

Laverne has a passion for divas - from Beyonce to Leontyne Price, and closer to home, Angel Blue, the history-making operatic soprano who has become a dear friend as well. Angel shares her road to the spotlight including her early years of artistic difficulty and personal tragedy. Angel is a two-time grammy winner and was the first Black diva to sing the leading role in Verdi’s “La Traviata” at The Metropolitan Opera in New York, Covent Garden in London, and - though it was said it could not be done - La Scala Opera House in Milan. Heads up, in Milan that makes you a rockstar.

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

Links of Interest:

Sumptuous La Traviata Charms La Scala with Placido Domingo and Angel Blue (Euronews, YouTube)

AIDA: Royal Opera House (Angel Joy Blue YouTube Channel)

Every Operatic Soprano Voice Type, Explained

Emotion, Destiny’s Child, High C @3:29

Leontyne Price Sings Aida’s “O Patria Mia”, High C 

Opera Singers - High Note C (C6) Battle

Leontyne Price and Simon Estes Duet, Aida

The Iconic Shade of Aretha Franklin (Beautiful Gowns)

Grace Bumbry (Video)

Grace Bumbry (NPR)

Soprano Angel Blue Cancels Arena di Verona Debut in Response to Blackface (ClassicalMusic.com/BBC)

Glossary of Opera Terms:

Arena di Verona: an ancient Roman amphitheater in Verona, Italy built in 30 AD. It is still in use today and is famous for its large scale operatic performances

Aida: an opera by Giuseppe Verde. Premiere Cairo, 1871. Synopsis

Aria: A self-contained piece for a singer, or “solo.” In opera, arias mostly appear during a pause in dramatic action when a character is reflecting on their emotions. 

Bel Canto: An Italian vocal technique or “school” developed and popularized in the 18th and 19th centuries. It places emphasis on beauty of sound and brilliance of performance rather than dramatic expression and romantic emotion. 

Carmen: an opera in four acts by the French composer Georges Bizet. Premiere Paris, 1875. Synopsis

Coloratura: Elaborate ornamentation of a vocal melody, especially in operatic singing by a soprano. 

Covent Garden & The Royal Opera: an internationally acclaimed opera house and company, the three-theatre physical structure dates back to 1858

Samson et Dalila: an opera in three acts by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns based on the biblical story of Samson and Delilah. Premiere Weimar, Germany, 1877. Synopsis

Falsetto: A method of singing used by male singers, especially tenors, to sing notes higher than their normal range. 

Forte: A musical direction that means “loud.” 

Il Trovatore: An opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verde. Premiere Rome,1853. Synopsis

La Scala or Teatro alla Scala is an opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on August 3, 1778.

Legato: (adj.) Smooth and flowing in manner, without breaks between notes. 

Libretto: The text of an opera (or other vocal work). 

Ornaments (ornamentation): Musical flourishes or embellishments (such as a trill or a slide) that are not essential to carry the overall line of the melody, but serve instead to decorate or “ornament” that line. 

Pianissimo: A soft performance, played or sung quietly. 

Rigoletto: an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi. Premiere Venice, 1851. Synopsis

The Met: The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

Tosca: an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini. Premiere Rome, 1900. Synopsis

Traviata: Short for “La Traviata,” a famous opera by Giuseppe Verde. La Traviata also goes by the name “Camille” in English, which was derived from the title of the book (La Dame aux Camélias) that inspired it as well as the 2001 film Moulin Rouge.  Premiere Venice, 1853. Synopsis

Other Episodes of Interest:

Diva Worship and Opera w/ Ira Siff

The Intellectual Underpinnings of Beyonce's Awesomeness w/ Kevin Allred

Music Credits:

Audio from San Francisco Opera’s 2023 Il Trovatore is courtesy of Angel Blue.

Audio of Angel singing “D'amor sull'ali rosee” from Il Trovatore with The Philadelphia Orchestra September 2020 provided by TPO. Angel will be back on its stage June 8, 2024.

Audio of Angel Blue’s “Summertime” from her 2014 solo album Joy Alone is courtesy of Angel Blue.

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Content Warning: this important episode contains talk about sexual situations, assault and rape. Resources for survivors are below.

It may not be anyone’s favorite topic, but taking care of business is empowering and this is the business, educating ourselves and, importantly, our kids and younger generations on how to be safe and considerate with our bodies. 

It seems obvious that in order to clarify the lines of intimacy, words should be involved. But it’s probably true that many people don’t know what those words are or how or when to say them. That’s where Ellen comes in. Words are helpful always, but especially in even trickier situations of cross-cultural communications or neurodiversity. 

Please share this episode with anyone and everyone you know who has sex or would like to one day.

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

Resources for survivors of sexual violence:

Rainn 

Anti-Violence Project

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

Links of Interest:

Ellen Friedrichs Website: www.sexEdvice.com

Racial & Sexual Violence Pyramid | Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR)

Understanding the Manosphere and Andrew Tate (The Conversation)

Andrew Tate Suspected Pyramid Scheme (Vice)

Restorative Justice: Impact/Justice Project

CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey 

GLSEN Research and Reports

The Body Keeps the Score (Book)

Ellen's Recommended Comedians:

Sashi Perera

Steph Tolev

Irene Tu

Ellen’s Recommended Reading:

The Art of Receiving and Giving: The Wheel of Consent by Dr. Betty Martin, with Robyn Dalzen

Believe Me: How Trusting Women Can Change the World by Jessica Valenti (Editor), Jaclyn Friedman (Editor)

Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent, and Navigating the New Masculinity by Peggy Orenstein

Had it Coming: What’s Fair in the Age of #MeToo by Robin Doolittle

Redefining Rape: Sexual Violence in the Era of Suffrage and Segregation by Estelle B. Freedman

Episodes Mentioned or Relevant:

Reclaiming MeToo w/ Tarana Burke

The Truth & Consequences of Dating as a Trans Woman w/ Jen Richards

Ending Violence Toward Trans People w/ Dr. Karen Franklin

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are few things more vulnerable than singing, unless you’re Leontyne Price, of course. For the rest of us, though, it can be fraught. Laverne shares with us her journey through developing her voice as a transgender woman and as a lover of singing. And while the road, she says, has had some traumatic moments, she knows she will never stop. In fact, she has recently released her own version of the operatic classic “Summertime” from the opera Porgy and Bess - pop diva style! In this diary, Laverne talks about the study of voice, what makes a voice beautiful, and always being in process.

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

***

Links of Interest:

Summertime: A TripHopera (Official Video)

Shequida Hall (Instagram)

Key’mon Murrah, Countertenor 

The 5 Countertenors (YouTube)

Farinelli Movie Trailer (YouTube)

Derek Lee Ragin for Farinelli (YouTube)

Jessye Norman (YouTube)

Sarah Vaughn (YouTube)

Varla Jean Merman

Leontyne Price (NEA Opera Honors Interview, YouTube)

Kennedy Center Honors Leontyne Price (YouTube)

Marian Anderson Sings at Lincoln Memorial, 1939 (YouTube)

Marian Anderson "Ave Maria" on The Ed Sullivan Show, 1952 (YouTube)

Other Episodes Mentioned:

Opera & Diva Worship with Ira Siff

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connie Fleming. In this two-part episode honoring the legendary runway model, cabaret performer and NYC “door bitch”, Laverne gets allll the tea about Connie’s life then and now. These episodes are bursting with history, HERSTORY and fun, juicy details of incredible stories from back in the glorious (and terrifying) day.

Part II: The 90’s to Today

In this episode Laverne and Connie continue their no-holds-barred chat about her incredible life in New York City picking up in the 90’s  as the famously “discerning” door guard at the most happening nightclubs. She shares more details about her runway career, including her time in Paris, as well as the end of her time as an accepted transgender high fashion model.

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

Links of Interest - PART 2:

Michael Alig, Fixture of New York City Nightlife, Dies at 54 (2020, New York Times) 

Party Monster Doc

Andy Warhol (Brief History, YouTube)

Madame Arthur and Carousel 1950’s Paris

Marsha P. Johnson

International Chrysis in Photos

Split: Portrait of a Drag Queen (UCLA Film and Television Archive Panel Discussion, 2021)

International Chrysis (Boy Bar video, joined by Cody Ravioli)

Vivienne Westwood (Vogue)

Vivienne Westwood: Her Life and Career in Pictures (The Guardian)

André Leon Talley (New York Times Obit)

Joe Deitrich 

3 Vintage Trans Models You Might Not Know About (incl. Teri Toye)

Other Episodes Mentioned or Relevant:

The Groundbreaking Fashion Career of Tracey ‘Africa’ Norman

The Spirituality of Club Culture w/ Honey Dijon

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Co-Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Co-Editor: Nikolas Harter

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connie Fleming. In this two-part episode honoring the legendary runway model, cabaret performer and NYC “door bitch”, Laverne gets allll the tea about Connie’s life then and now. These episodes are bursting with history, HERSTORY and fun, juicy details of incredible stories from back in the glorious (and terrifying) day.

Part I: The 80’s and 90’s

In this episode Laverne and Connie talk about her life in the 80’s and 90’s New York. She was a groundbreaking transgender model who walked for Thierry Mugler and Vivienne Westwood. And, wow, did she WALK!!! Connie was also part of the original Boy Bar Beauties, an iconic cabaret in the East Village, Wigstock, the Too Funky and Divine Thing Videos. She was in the middle of the explosive, exciting and yes, deadly, New York City gay and trans creative world. Not drag, darling, trans. Trans models now have her to thank.

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

Links of Interest - PART 1:

The Untold Story of the Fearless Connie Fleming (The Standard) (2017)

Sophia Lamar, Connie Girl and Zaldy: 3 icons who defied normative beauty - Dazed Digital (2019)

Cody Leone Ravioli

Art School Girls of Doom, The Bra

Thierry Mugler

Thierry Mugler at Brooklyn Museum

Casey Cadwallader

Connie walking for Mugler - MUST SEE

George Michael - Too Funky (Official Video)

George Michael - Too Funky (Thierry Mugler Original Director's Cut)

The Soup Dragons - Divine Thing

3 Vintage Trans Models You Might Not Know About (incl. Teri Toye)

How Drag Influenced 90’s Fashion…from Mugler to Levi’s (Elle)

Billy Beyond (Instagram)

Danilo, Hairstylist

Susanne Bartsch

Who Is…Mr. Pearl

Thierry Mugler Jacket Animation (Fashion Institute of Technology)

David Dalrymple

Mona Foot

Wigstock (1995 Doc, Part 1)

Lady Bunny @ The Boy Bar (Video)

International Chrysis (Boy Bar video, joined by Cody Ravioli)

Other Episodes Mentioned or Relevant:

The Groundbreaking Fashion Career of Tracey ‘Africa’ Norman

The Spirituality of Club Culture w/ Honey Dijon

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Co-Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Co-Editor: Nikolas Harter

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Movement lawyer and political commentator, or “professional loudmouth”, Olayemi Olurin sheds light on what she knows about the American criminal “justice" system - which is a ton. Having come from The Bahamas as a young woman, she had seen plenty of poor Black folks. But she says America has a very different way of treating Black and brown people, which is that there is a focus on breaking down, criminalization and imprisonment, and just maybe there’s a lucrative payoff for it. A report by the ACLU shows that prisoners generate over $11 BILLION of goods and services and are rarely paid anything. She and Laverne talk about bail reform, the shady habit of over-policing and underfunding poor communities, and the way the prison pipeline perpetuates itself. “Our environments are who we become.”

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Mass Incarceration Is Slavery (Olurin, The Appeal)

Tyre Nichols Was Killed by Black Police Officers Because the Whole System Is Racist (Olurin, Teen Vogue)

Bayard Rustin (PBS Newshour, YouTube)

Podcast: American Police (Throughline, 2020)

Kalief Browder, 1993-2015 (2015, The New Yorker)

Justice Not Fear

How do I know if a source is credible? 

Media Bias Chart

Links of Interest:

What is bail reform? (ACLU)

How Bail Reform, Crime Surge Mix in Angry Debate (The Washington Post, 2022)

Criminal Justice Statistics (The Marshall Project)

Criminal Fact Sheet (NAACP)

The challenges facing black men - and the case for action (The Brookings Institute, 2020)

The Condemnation of Blackness: Race, Crime and the Making of Modern Urban America

Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media, Noam Chomsky

Other Episodes Mentioned:

Housing Segregation and Structural Racism w/ Richard Rothstein

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.