Mya Taylor

Mya Taylor, born on March 28, 1991, in Houston, Texas, is an accomplished American actress and singer renowned for her portrayal of Alexandra in the critically acclaimed 2015 film Tangerine. Her remarkable performance earned her the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.

Raised by her Christian grandparents, Mya's journey of self-discovery was challenging. After coming out as gay while in school, she faced significant tension at home. In 2009, she revealed her identity to her grandparents, which ultimately led her to leave for California in May of that year to stay with another relative. However, her gender identity resulted in her being homeless once again.

At just 18, Mya struggled to find legal employment and turned to sex work in Hollywood to survive. During this tumultuous period, she began attending therapy, where she found the courage to embrace her true self. In January 2013, she publicly came out as transgender. Mya eventually reconnected with her mother, who lovingly gave her the name Mya.

While living with her future co-star Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya's life took a pivotal turn at the age of 23. After years of navigating the challenges of sex work and facing multiple arrests, she was approached by director Sean Baker and co-writer Chris Bergoch at the LGBT Center in Los Angeles, leading to her breakout role in Tangerine.