She was born May 29, 1984 in Mobile, Alabama.

She was the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy for her performance in Orange is the New Black.

She was the first transgender person to have a wax figure at Madama Tussaud’s in London.

She was the first transgender person to be on the cover of Time magazine.

She has an identical twin brother who portrayed her pre-transitioning character in Orange is the New Black.

She was the first African-American transgender to produce and star in her own television show, TRANSform Me.

She was a contestant on the first season of I Want To Work for Diddy.

She was in John Legend’s video You and I (Nobody in the World).

She was the first transgender actress to pose nude for Allure magazine.

She was the first transgender actress to portray a transgender character on CBS’ Doubt.