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Angelica Ross

Angelica Ross (born November 28, 1980)[1] is an American actress, businesswoman, and transgender rights advocate. A self-taught computer programmer, she went on to become founder and CEO of TransTech Social Enterprises, a firm that helps employ transgender people in the tech industry.[1][2]

Ross began her acting career in the web series Her Story (2016), after which she received further recognition and critical acclaim for her starring roles in the drama series Pose (2018–21) and the anthology horror series American Horror Story (2019–21), both from FX.

Early life

Angelica Ross was born on November 28, 1980, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, then raised to the north in nearby Racine.[3] Ross, a trans woman, has said she was perceived as feminine from a young age.[1][4] In 1998, when she was 17, she came out as gay to her mother, an evangelical Christian. Her mother did not receive the news well; according to Ross, "she told me I should commit suicide or she would, because she couldn't have someone like me as her child."[1][5] Ross considered ending her own life and overdosed on medication, but survived.[1][4][6]

Upon graduating high school at 17, Ross briefly attended the University of Wisconsin–Parkside before dropping out after one semester.[3] Ross decided to join the U.S. Navy (after her parents signed a waiver so that she could join as a minor) in order to qualify for the G.I. Bill. Ross initially moved to Rochester, New York, before being stationed in Yokosuka, Kanagawa.[3] After six months of service, she requested and received an "uncharacterized" discharge under the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy (which was then in force) due to being harassed by enlisted men who coerced her into saying she was gay.[4][5]

Ross moved back home, and made friends with a drag queen named Traci Ross who helped her begin her gender transition at the age of 19.[3] Upon discovering that she was transitioning, her mother threw her out and Ross moved in with her biological father (who was slightly more accepting of her) in Roanoke, Virginia.[3][5] Although Ross and her parents were estranged for a time, she states that they have since mended their relationship.[5] During the six years that she lived in Roanoke, Ross worked as a waitress at Applebee's so she could earn enough money to pay rent and attend cosmetology school.[3] Ross then moved to Hollywood, Florida and worked as a model and escort, then web manager, until 2003.[5] She started a web development and graphic design business and took acting classes.[5] She later moved to Chicago to become the employment coordinator for the Trans Life Center.[5]

Career

Acting

In 2005, Ross made her acting debut in the comedy film Natale a Miami, followed by a role in the short film Bella Maddo (2010). In 2016, Ross received recognition for starring in Her Story, a web series about trans women in Los Angeles.[1][7] The series was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama.[8][9] In 2017, she made guest appearances in the CBS legal drama series Doubt, the TNT crime drama series Claws, and the Amazon Prime Video comedy-drama series Transparent.[10] She also executive produced and starred in the short film Missed Connections, which went on to be an official selection at Outfest 2017, Baltimore International Black Film Festival 2017, La Femme International Film Festival 2017, and Outflix Film Festival 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. In June 2017, Ross provided voice work for the Amazon Video animated series Danger & Eggs.[11][12]

Her breakthrough role came in 2018, as Candy Ferocity in Ryan Murphy's FX drama series Pose. For her performance, she earned critical acclaim.[13] She went on to star as psychologist Donna Chambers in the FX anthology horror series American Horror Story: 1984, which made her the first transgender actress to secure two series regular roles. The series was also her second collaboration with Murphy.[14] Her performance garnered critical acclaim by fans and critics alike. In 2021 Ross returned as a series regular for the show's tenth season.[15]

In 2020, Ross signed a deal with Pigeon to develop its television projects.[16] She portrays Georgia, a transgender woman, in the 2022 film Framing Agnes.[17]

Ross made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago in a limited engagement from September 12 to November 6, 2022. With this role, she became the first trans woman to play a leading role on Broadway.[18][19]

On September 21, 2023, Ross posted on Twitter that she is "leaving Hollywood", having experienced what she perceived as a pattern of mistreatment in the industry.[20] In an interview published the following day, she related more details about her experiences on the set of American Horror Story, and stated that she is moving back to Georgia and preparing to run for public office.[21]

Technology

Ross taught herself coding,[22][23] and started her journey in the technology industry in web management.[24] She also learned graphic design and photography using videos online, taking photos for rappers and designing backstage passes.[25] Ross later was hired by the Chicago House's TransLife Center which caters to trans individuals seeking employment, housing and other aid.[25] Her role focused on employment coordination program development.[25]

In 2014, Ross founded the company TransTech Social Enterprises, acting as CEO.[2][26] The nonprofit creative design firm trains and contracts transgender and other workers.[2][27] Melissa Harris-Perry brought more attention to the firm in 2015, choosing Ross as her show's first "Foot Soldier" of the year.[2][28] Educating others on the mission of the firm included MSNBC airing a documentary about it.[24] Ross returned as head of TransTech in 2024, replacing outgoing Executive Director E.C. Pizarro III.[29]

Ross is also the president of Miss Ross, Inc. and founded the TransTech Summit.[30] Ross described the goals of TransTech as including to foster skills in the technology industry, especially for trans people. As the world became more digitized, Ross saw the opportunity for expanding remote working via telecommunication as there can be flexible solutions to workplace issues.[31]

Ross was a featured speaker at the 2015 White House LGBTQ Tech and Innovation Summit.[32]

Other ventures

In January 2024, Ross announced the launch of a new weekly podcast, N.O.W.: No Opportunity Wasted, featuring "deep discussion on everything from politics to pop culture with world leaders, celebrities and everyday people".[33][34]

In February 2026, Ross became communications director for the Butch Ware campaign for governor of California.[35]

Activism

Ross was a celebrity ambassador to the 50th Anniversary Stonewall celebration that took place in June 2019 during Pride. On September 20, 2019, Ross hosted the 2020 Presidential Candidate Forum on LGBTQ Issues.[36][37] This made her the first openly transgender person to host an American presidential forum.[38] On September 28, 2019, Ross was a featured speaker at the National Trans Visibility March in Washington D.C.[39][40]

Personal life

Ross was once engaged, but called off the engagement as her fiancé did not want others to know that Ross was transgender.[41] She is a practicing Buddhist.[1][42]

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Podcasts

Awards and nominations

Honors

  • In 2015, Ross was named "1st Foot Soldier of the Year" by Melissa Harris-Perry[56]
  • In June 2019, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, an event widely considered a watershed moment in the modern LGBTQ rights movement, Queerty named her one of the Pride50 "trailblazing individuals who actively ensure society remains moving towards equality, acceptance and dignity for all queer people".[57]

External links

References

  1. Meet the Vanguard: Trans Businesswoman Angelica Ross Tells All The Advocate, November 17, 2015, retrieved January 5, 2017^
  2. Kate MacArthur. Angelica Ross, TransTech and voice and value for transgender people Chicago Tribune, June 4, 2015, retrieved January 5, 2017^
  3. The World Wouldn't Make a Place for Angelica Ross. So She Made One for Herself Wealthsimple Magazine, February 9, 2022, retrieved August 10, 2018^
  4. Erin Bried. Being Transgender Nearly Cost Me My Life Self, July 15, 2015, retrieved January 5, 2017^
  5. Heather Wood Rudulph. How I'm Helping the Trans Community Get Great Jobs Cosmopolitan, July 25, 2016, retrieved January 5, 2017^
  6. Terry Carter Jr.. Angelica Ross Explained Why She Called Out Emma Roberts' Behavior On Set Of "American Horror Story: 1984" BuzzFeed, February 6, 2024, retrieved February 12, 2024^
  7. Evan Ross Katz. Angelica Ross And Jen Richards Discuss Their Groundbreaking New Series, "Her Story" Logo TV, January 28, 2016, retrieved January 5, 2017^
  8. Mari Brighe. The Emmy-Nominated Trans Web Series Her Story Could Change Everything The Advocate, July 31, 2016, retrieved January 5, 2017^
  9. Robin Roemer. Women Behind 'Her Story' Talk Emmy Nomination NBC News, July 17, 2016, retrieved January 5, 2017^
  10. Mari Brighe. What's Next for Transgender Media After 'Transparent'? Vice, September 26, 2016, retrieved July 26, 2017^
  11. "Danger & Eggs" Is The Greatest Weirdest Queer-and-Trans Inclusive Kids Show Ever Autostraddle, July 1, 2017, retrieved July 26, 2017^
  12. Trish Bendix. "Danger And Eggs" Is The Queer Cartoon We've Been Waiting For NewNowNext, July 3, 2017, retrieved July 26, 2017^
  13. Richard Lawson. Pose Is Bold, Necessary Melodrama Vanity Fair, May 30, 2018, retrieved June 6, 2018^
  14. Denise Petski. 'Pose' Star Angelica Ross Joins 'American Horror Story: 1984' Deadline, July 10, 2019, retrieved September 16, 2019^
  15. Jennifer Maas. Ryan Murphy Reveals 'AHS' Season 10 Cast: Macaulay Culkin Joins, Evan Peters and Kathy Bates Return Thewrap, February 26, 2020, retrieved July 5, 2020^
  16. Dino-Ray Ramos. 'Pose' Star Angelica Ross Inks Overall Development Deal With Pigeon Production Company Deadline, August 3, 2020, retrieved August 9, 2020^
  17. Chase Joynt. Framing Agnes Fae Pictures, Level Ground, January 22, 2022, retrieved January 10, 2022^
  18. Andrew Gans. Pose Star Angelica Ross Will Make Broadway Debut in Chicago Playbill, August 4, 2022, retrieved August 8, 2022^
  19. Tat Bellamy-Walker. 'Chicago' star Angelica Ross' history-making role kicks the door wide open for inclusion NBC News, October 26, 2022, retrieved March 8, 2023^
  20. Mey Rude. Pose, AHS Star Angelica Ross Announces She's 'Leaving Hollywood' Out, September 21, 2023, retrieved September 22, 2023^
  21. Seth Abramovitch. Angelica Ross Spills All on Emma Roberts, Ryan Murphy and Hollywood Future: "This Is Not My First Time at the Rodeo" The Hollywood Reporter, September 22, 2023, retrieved September 22, 2023^
  22. Celebrating BAME Women in STEM Innovators www.stemwomen.co.uk, February 8, 2021, retrieved April 14, 2021^
  23. Moises Mendez II. How Angelica Ross Is Breaking Down Barriers in Tech Time, February 1, 2024, retrieved February 12, 2024^
  24. Angelica Ross / Calling Up The Inner Arsenal Flaunt Magazine, retrieved April 14, 2021^
  25. Abrar Al-Heeti. Black transgender star of the hit show Pose: 'Technology saved my life' CNET, July 22, 2020, retrieved April 14, 2021^
  26. About Us – TransTech Social Enterprises retrieved April 14, 2021^
  27. How One Chicago Start-Up is Working to Close the Transgender Employment Gap Chicago Magazine, February 17, 2015, retrieved January 5, 2017^
  28. How one trans businesswoman is helping others MSNBC, January 3, 2015, retrieved January 5, 2017^
  29. Marie-Adélina de la Ferrière. Angelica Ross is back—breaking barriers and building the future with TransTech Out, October 18, 2024, retrieved October 23, 2024^
  30. 3rd Annual TransTech Summit This Weekend, Nov. 14-15 - All Together alltogether.swe.org, November 11, 2020, retrieved April 14, 2021^
  31. Emmanuel David. Capital T: Trans Visibility, Corporate Capitalism, and Commodity Culture TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly, February 1, 2017^
  32. TransTech Helps Transgender People Get Jobs In Tech And, Soon, The White House TechCrunch, September 1, 2015, retrieved January 5, 2017^
  33. Angelica Ross. Listen Angelica Ross, retrieved January 26, 2024^
  34. Joe Otterson. 'Pose' Star Angelica Ross to Launch 'N.O.W.' Podcast With Crossover Media Group (EXCLUSIVE) Variety, January 30, 2024, retrieved February 12, 2024^
  35. Valielza Huynh-O’Keefe. Angelica Ross Officially Joins the Butch Ware for Governor Campaign as Communications Director Butch Ware for Governor, February 20, 2026, retrieved March 18, 2026^
  36. Dino-Ray Ramos. 'Pose' Actress Angelica Ross To Host Presidential Candidate Forum On LGBTQ Issues Deadline, September 16, 2019, retrieved September 16, 2019^
  37. André Wheeler. A huge misstep': Angelica Ross on Sanders' LGBTQ forum no-show The Guardian, September 21, 2019, retrieved September 21, 2019^
  38. 'A huge misstep': Angelica Ross on Sanders' LGBTQ forum no-show the Guardian, September 21, 2019, retrieved May 10, 2021^
  39. Lou Jr. Chibbaro. Thousands expected in D.C. for National Trans Visibility March Washington Blade, September 25, 2019, retrieved September 28, 2019^
  40. Moriba Cummings. Angelica Ross To Speak At Trans Visibility March In D.C. BET, September 27, 2019, retrieved September 28, 2019^
  41. #InTheirWords: 'A lot of trans people feel like they will never be loved' USA Today, July 24, 2015, retrieved January 5, 2017^
  42. Ashley Hobbs. Actress and Activist Angelica Ross On Her Undeniable Purpose (and Glow) Essence, November 4, 2020, retrieved March 8, 2023^
  43. SOUL OF A NATION: THE FREEDOM TO EXIST WITH ELLIOT PAGE TV Insider, June 6, 2023, retrieved June 7, 2023^
  44. What It Means to be a Protector with Actress Angelica Ross Apple Podcasts, retrieved 2025-10-18^
  45. Angelica Ross Turns Privilege into Power Oprah.com, retrieved 2025-10-17^
  46. Broadway Podcast Network. The Roundtable with Robert Bannon retrieved 2025-10-18^
  47. Queer Fashion Podcast - Actress and entrepreneur Angelica Ross Transition of Style, retrieved 2025-10-17^
  48. Our Culture, Our Stories naacp.org, retrieved 2025-10-17^
  49. METRO GLAM Fundraising Event Transgender National Alliance, October 28, 2015, retrieved January 5, 2017^
  50. 2016 National Black Trans Advocacy Awards: Full List of Award Recipients Black Trans Advocacy, retrieved January 5, 2017^
  51. 2016 HRC Chicago Award Recipients & Special Guests Human Rights Campaign, retrieved January 5, 2017^
  52. JD Knapp. 28th GLAAD Media Awards: Complete List of Winners Variety, May 7, 2017, retrieved October 26, 2018^
  53. 28th Annual GLAAD Media Award nominees recognize outstanding portrayals of trans stories #glaadawards GLAAD, January 31, 2017, retrieved October 26, 2018^
  54. The OUTstanding lists 2018: LGBT+ leaders and allies Financial Times, October 25, 2018, retrieved October 26, 2018^
  55. Announcing Fast Company's second annual Queer 50 list Fast Company, retrieved June 3, 2021^
  56. About Miss Ross, November 9, 2011, retrieved October 26, 2018^
  57. Queerty Pride50 2019 Honorees Queerty, retrieved June 18, 2019^