Rebecca Romijn: ‘I wanted to do my trans character justice - and make her as hot as possible’

[drbat]

Rebecca Romijn interview: ‘I never would be cast as a trans woman today’ https://t.co/h6PHIbo6KW
- The Independent (@Independent) July 5, 2023
Rebecca Romijn talked about playing Alexis Meade on Ugly Betty. Alexis was the trans sister of Daniel Meade who faked her death to undergo gender reassignment surgery before returning to fight Daniel for

Comments

[sarahvma]

I was ready to be mad but that's a pretty perfect statement.

[littlekasumi]

when netflix's disclosure first came out, i actually wondered about what the reception of her as alexis meade was from trans women's POV. there was a lot of focus on cis men playing trans women which makes sense with the transphobia behind portraying trans women as men playing dress up/predatory, but i don't think alexis was ever brought up with regard to if it's preferred for a cis woman to play a trans woman (v. different from the sexuality argument i feel). i think the most creative and sensitive way to depict a trans woman pre-transition was orange is the new black where laverne cox's twin brother played her character in a flashback.

looking back, there's remarks and what not on the show that make it obvious there was probably not a trans writer in the room, but i feel like the show's role in pushing things forward with alexis and justin's coming out arc are ignored.

[alwayspolaris]

Honestly if a cis person has to play a trans person it's better if they're at least the right gender - especially for trans women. I thought her portrayal was fairly well done on her part at least, and I loved that her height/seemingly masculine features added to her perceived hotness to other characters.

But it's the same as with straight actors playing gay characters - it was the right move to protect closeted actors before but now isn't really necessary. It'll be fine again when there's no barriers to gay or trans actors and they're allowed to play an equal number of straight and cis characters, especially where it's just one facet of a fictional character (for playing real life people who matter to the community of course those roles should always go to the community).

[funhouse]

She was great in the role. The show was pretty progressive for its time and the conversation Betty (?) had with Ignacio was the first time pre-teen (or early teen?) me really understood the difference between someone cross dressing and being trans

Forever pissed all the teases about Fey Sommers never amounted to anything tho. #FeySommersLives

[my_moloko]

True about Fey Sommers but that's what made it such a great twist!

[fernandocolunga]

Alexis was the trans sister of Daniel Meade who faked her death to undergo gender reassignment surgery before returning to fight Daniel for control of their family’s fashion magazine MODE.

This is how you know it was based on a telenovela