Mya Taylor, born on March 28, 1991, in Houston, Texas, is an American actress and singer who has gained recognition for her outstanding performance as Alexandra in the 2015 film Tangerine. This remarkable achievement earned her the prestigious Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.
Growing up, Mya was raised by her Christian grandparents, who initially remained unaware of her coming out as gay in school. However, in 2009, she mustered the courage to reveal her true identity to them, which led to a significant amount of tension in the household. Following this confrontation, Mya left her grandparents' home and relocated to California in May 2009 to live with another relative.
Unfortunately, her gender identity ultimately led to her being kicked out onto the streets by this relative. As an 18-year-old, unable to secure legal employment, Mya was forced to resort to sex work in Hollywood. During this challenging period, she began attending therapy sessions, which played a crucial role in her self-discovery and decision to be true to herself.
In January 2013, Mya came out as transgender, and since then, she has reconnected with her mother, who had previously given her the name Mya. She shared an apartment with her future Tangerine co-star, Kitana Kiki Rodriguez. At the age of 23, after five years of sex work and four arrests for prostitution, Mya's life took a dramatic turn when director Sean Baker and co-screenwriter Chris Bergoch approached her at the Los Angeles LGBT Center to star in their film Tangerine.
