Brian Michael Smith was a transman in OWN’s “Queen Sugar”And is the first transman to be listed on People’s “Sexiest Men Alive.”
Phil Mccarten/ AP
Brian Michael Smith was Since 2011, earning acting creditsYou can be seen on TV shows such as “Gossip Girl,” “Girls,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Blue Bloods,” “After.”He was a straight cis man on all these shows. Smith became transgender in 2017 when he played the role of a cis straight man on OWN’s drama series. “Queen Sugar.”
He has most recently acted in “911: Lone Star.”
Smith is a shining example of trans actors being able to take on cis roles as the trans community pushes.
“There weren’t a lot of trans male roles when I started out,” Smith According to NBC News, 2017. “I was really trying to be cautious about [choosing a trans role] because it was something I was interested in, but I wanted to make sure that it resonated with me, and it would have a positive impact on trans and non-trans people alike.”
People Magazine featured Smith on November 12, 2005. “Sexiest Men Alive” list — he is the first trans man to be named on the annual list.
“I’ve been called many things, this is a first,” Smith wrote on his InstagramAfter the announcement. “Incredibly honored to be included in this list with so many actors I admire. Big love to @people for the historic shout-out.”