Laverne Cox will soon be seen stepping into the iconic platform shoes of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in Fox’s remake of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, and the trans icon/actress/activist is paying tribute to her idols in a new photo feature for Cosmopolitan that finds the “Orange Is the New Black” star channeling such stars as Beyonce, Tina Turner, trailblazing trans model Tracey Africa and more, with photos by photographer Ruven Afanador.
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“Beyoncé represents excellence,” says Cox of Queen Bey. “Her work ethic is like nobody else I’ve ever seen. There were so many moments when I was shooting ‘Rocky Horror’ and I’d be exhausted. My body would be hurting and I’d be like, ‘Beyoncé. Beyoncé does this.’ You have to just put in the work.”
Another idol is rock legend Tina Turner, whose story connected with Cox on a deep level.
“The pain, pleasure, and agony of all she’s been through is in her voice,” she tells Cosmo. “Her story is the story of so many black women who’ve endured abuse and come out the other side in such a brilliant, beautiful way.”
She also expresses her admiration for Tracey Africa. “She was a black trans woman who modeled in the ’70s and had cosmetics deals and a hair contract with Clairol — it was a big deal,” Cox explains. “People think, ‘Oh, this trans revolution is just starting,’ but we’ve been around for a very long time. It’s important to know that there’s been a path blazed for me.”
For photos of Laverne Cox taking on other inspiring women, including Janet Jackson, Josephine Baker and Leontyne Price, pick up the latest issue of Cosmopolitan.
