Michaela Jaé Rodriguez’s Transformative Life
Actress and activist Michaela Jaé Rodriguez exudes the grace and style of Audrey Hepburn. She’s slight, razor-sharp, with a disarming empathy that cuts through to the soul.
“My grandmother was very, very demure,” the New Jersey native tells Los Angeles. “That was just a part of my upbringing. My mother was always clued in on fashion. … She also instilled a lot of grace and made sure I was humble. And since I was so enthralled with the world of the arts, especially drama and music, it kind of came with the territory, too.”
Most are familiar with her work at this point. Rodriguez has breezed through mainstream consciousness thanks to stellar (and awards-nominated) acting roles, most significantly in Ryan Murphy’s Pose, and most recently in the hit series Loot, where she goes toe-to-toe with Maya Rudolph as her business manager. Rodriguez also played a key role in the latest installment of American Horror Story, rounding out an impressive range of portrayals. By the sheer breadth of her acting roles, Rodriguez has helped move the needle forward for trans performers. Now, she’s pushing into new, yet familiar, territory, with a debut album set for release this summer.
“I’ve been working on it for six years,” Rodriguez relates. “And there’s some new songs that I’m bringing to the fold. I think it’s time for people to see me in the light that I’ve always wanted them to see me — and that I always saw myself — as an artist.”
Rodriguez put her songwriting degree from Berklee College of Music to good use while crafting the album, which showcases her R&B essence. While she’s lent her voice to productions like Rent, the music on the album will be more personal, fun and uniquely Michaela Jaé Rodriguez. In fact, she expanded her stage name from MJ Rodriguez to mark the growth of her artistic career. “Michaela Jaé is working through me and she’s like, ‘This has to happen, so I’m listening to her,” she explains.
At the center of her drive is faith. Though being ostracized by religious communities is common among queer people, Rodriguez has kept Christianity a cornerstone of her journey — even as she has endured hate within worlds she considers her own.
“[All] titles are gone when you look at yourself as a human,” she says. “And what are you doing as a human to really move people? Are you looking at the grand scheme and seeing how you can bring people together? And if you’re not doing that, then you’re not on the right path.”
While she feels the gravity of her position in the queer and entertainment worlds, she believes that it is through love and positivity that she can change hearts and minds.
“I am a vessel,” she proffers. “This powerful entity is telling me that [I am on] a strong path, and I have to walk it.”