How Mj Rodriguez Reacted to Being First Transgender Actor To Win a Golden Globe

The Golden Globes may have looked a little different this year, but the 2022 ceremony will still be one for the history books thanks to a historic win by Michaela Jaé "Mj" Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has become the first transgender actor to win a Golden Globe in the ceremony's nearly 80-year history. On Sunday, January 9, she took home the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her critically-acclaimed performance as housemother and nurse Blanca in the FX drama Pose.

Not only is she the first transgender actor to win the award, but it also marks the first Golden Globe win for Pose, which premiered in 2018.

This year, the Golden Globes were held behind closed doors, with no nominees in attendance and no live audience and unfortunately, as a result, Rodriguez had to take to social media to celebrate her win.

In a lengthy post, Rodriguez gave a special mention to the LGBTQAI community and also gave a shout-out to her fellow nominees: Uzo Aduba, Jennifer Aniston, Christine Baranski, and Elisabeth Moss.

Writing on Instagram, she said: "Wow! You talking about a sickening birthday present! Thank you! This is the door that is going to open the door for many more young talented individuals.

"They will see that it is more than possible. They will see that a young Black Latina girl from Newark, New Jersey who had a dream, to change the minds others would WITH LOVE. LOVE WINS. To my young LGBTQAI babies, WE ARE HERE the door is now open now reach the stars!!!!!

"To the nominees we are Queens. I'm so happy to share space with you! Each and every last one of you women are phenomenal."

Fellow nominee Uzo Aduba, who was nominated for her role in HBO's In Treatment, commented under Rodriguez's post: "Congratulations!!!!! ICON, Queen, YES!!"

Fans of Rodriguez also flocked to the comments, sharing their love and support for the star.

Shortly after her win, Rodriguez also took to Instagram Live, where she gave an impromptu acceptance speech.

She said: "I've got to take this moment to say all of this because I couldn't really say all of it in a post. Number 1 thank you Golden Globes, this is for the LGBTQAI, Black, Latina, Asian [communities], the many multi beautiful colors of the rainbow around the freakin' world.

"This is not just for me, this is for y'all. This is the door that opens for y'all. There are going to be so many young talented individuals who are going to be able to trail in and storm in through the door. This is for y'all."

This is not the first time Rodriguez has made award history. In 2021, she became the first transgender actor to be nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress at the 2021 Emmys.

Unfortunately, she did not win, with the award going to Olivia Colman for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown.

POSE is streaming on Netflix, FX, and Amazon Prime Video now.