In Conversation
Dita Von Teese on Self-Confidence, Old Hollywood, and Her Historic Las Vegas Revue
Seductive, vampy, and intoxicatingly enigmatic, Dita Von Teese has innovated an intriguingly transgressive world of vintage glamour, class, opulence, and timeless beauty. Bursting onto the scene in the early 1990s, Von Teese transformed from a “dishwater blonde from a farming town in Michigan” to a raven-haired, red lipstick-swathed siren, becoming a beacon of empowering reinvention and self-confidence for women all over the world.
Taylor Momsen on Provocation, Musicianship, and being a Female in Rock
Taylor Momsen has firmly commanded her own destiny. In 2012, the former Gossip Girl alum boldly cut ties with an exceedingly successful acting career to pursue music full time. Since then, she has become one of the leading women in contemporary rock by fronting and founding her own outfit, The Pretty Reckless.
Linda Perry on Producing, Embracing Change, and Living Your Truth
Linda Perry is a prospering beacon of reinvention. Joining the seminal alt rock band 4 Non Blondes in 1989, Linda laid the vocals and played guitar on iconic tracks such as “What’s Up?” and “Dear Mr. President.” After leaving the band in 1994, she recorded a solo album, In Flight, and established her own record label, Rockstar Records.
Roxane Gay on Marriage, Lesbian Icons, and the Importance of Marginalized Voices
American writer, editor, professor, cultural critic, and social commentator Roxane Gay believes that women are at their best when they are bad, difficult, and heard. The writer outlined the ways that she, and by extension all women, can (and should) contradict themselves as they form their personhood and embrace their badness in her 2014 bestselling collection of essays, Bad Feminist.
Nikki Reed on Sustainability, <em>Thirteen</em>, and Women Creating Their Own Opportunities
Whether it’s through her oft-groundbreaking and shapeshifting film roles or her eco-conscious brand, Nikki Reed affects change. In 2003, Reed blasted onto the scene by co-writing and starring in the seminal teen drama, Thirteen, opposite Evan Rachel Wood. It was her groundbreaking performance in the Catherine Hardwicke-directed debut that led to numerous other roles, including Kathy Alva in 2005’s Lords of Dogtown and Rosalie Hale in Twilight.
Tatiana Maslany on Visibility, <em>Perry Mason</em>, and Provocative Women
Emmy Award-winning actress Tatiana Maslany doesn’t back down from a challenge.
Lea DeLaria on Butch Representation, <em>Orange Is the New Black</em>, and Being the First to Ever Do It
In 1993, Lea DeLaria became the first openly gay comic to perform on American television with her groundbreaking performance on The Arsenio Hall Show. That landmark appearance, in which she mentioned the words “dyke,” “fag,” or “queer” 47 times in 9½ minutes, remains one of the most revolutionary moments in modern television. Now 27 years later with a bevy of iconic roles behind her, from Orange Is the New Black to Broadway, Lea DeLaria is still changing perceptions. Kristin Prim and Alexandra Julienne spoke to the enduring icon about being butch, playing Big Boo, and loving the Yankees.
Maisie Richardson-Sellers on Inclusivity, Identity, and Accepting Your Truest Self
Maisie Richardson-Sellers is leading the charge for the representation of young queer women of color. After landing her first role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015, she was cast as Rebekah Mikaelson in the hit fantasy drama, The Originals. It was in 2016 that she played her breakout television role of Vixen in the CW series, Legends of Tomorrow. Most recently, she portrayed Chloe Winthrop in Netflix’s hit rom-com, The Kissing Booth 2.
Abby McEnany on Rejection, Mental Health, and the Absolute Triumph of <em>Work in Progress</em>
Abby McEnany is single-handedly changing the landscape of representation. By landing her first TV deal at the age of 51 for her seminal series Work in Progress, McEnany has brought a new narrative to Showtime – one that is equally as intelligent and sensitive as it is extraordinarily funny.