Congratulations to “Pose” actress Angelica Ross, who is set to make her Broadway debut after being announced to play Roxie Hart in the musical “Chicago.” According to reports, the 41-year-old will spend eight weeks playing the lead role at the Ambassador Theatre in New York from September 12, as she becomes the first transgender star to front the part.
Ross’ casting has seen her join a string of other Black trans women who have enjoyed a stint on Broadway in recent years, including Miss Peppermint of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” who starred in the Go-Go’s musical “Head Over Heels” and L Morgan Lee with her role in the Tony-nominated musical “A Strange Loop.”
Angelica Ross is set to make history as the first trans woman to headline a Broadway musical with her debut in “Chicago” next month! 🎭 pic.twitter.com/M5xzR6CiaU
— miribtsarmy (@miribtsarmy) August 5, 2022
Ross landed her big break playing Candy in the critically-acclaimed FX series “Pose,” before continuing her working relationship with the show’s creator Ryan Murphy when she was brought onboard for a recurring role in “American Horror Story: 1984.”
News of her latest gig has clearly left a good impression on GLAAD Vice President of Communications & Talent Anthony Allen Ramos, who believes Ross will nail her role on Broadway, where she plays Hart, as she avoids conviction for the murder of her lover.
He told PEOPLE, “Chicago’s Roxie Hart is one of the most recognizable, iconic and beloved characters in the history of Broadway, and a true talent like Angelica Ross will delight audiences with her impressive acting, singing and performance skills.”
“Angelica is also a respected leader in the transgender community, and joins L Morgan Lee as trans women of color currently starring on Broadway.”
Former “Baywatch” star was the last celebrity to play Roxie Hart when she commenced her eight-week stint on Broadway from April 12 to June 5. There’ve been a handful of celebrities who have taken part in playing the role over the years, including Michelle Williams, Renée Zellweger, and Ashlee Simpson Ross, to name a few.
Ross broke down in tears back in a video posted to her Instagram two years ago following the news she had been snubbed from receiving any Emmy nominations, which many fans regarded as blatant disrespect to the transgender community — particularly since there were notable performances from trans stars that year who were all excluded from receiving a nod.
angelica ross roxie hart theyre trying to get me back into my musical theater phase
— nico (@nitemirz) August 5, 2022
“These tears are not about an award or nomination,” she said in her video posted in July 2020. “Ultimately, I need you to understand this. That I am so tired. Because those of you who know me know I’m not just working in front of the screen, or behind the lens, or whenever, I’m working around the clock to get our society to value trans lives and black trans lives.”
“The fact that the trans women and the femmes of Pose continue to not be recognised, for me, it’s so much more than that. It’s deeper than that for me. It’s not just about a nomination or award – it has more implications than that for me.”