Laverne Cox previews a candid story of fame, love, and self-acceptance
Based on the show notes, this “Modern Love” episode centers on Laverne Cox discussing her memoir, “Transcendent.” It appears to trace her path from feeling out of place in childhood to becoming a groundbreaking star, while reflecting on love, identity and learning to love herself.
This is a preview based on the published show notes, not a recap of the full audio. If you’re deciding whether to listen, this episode looks like a strong pick for anyone interested in personal transformation, celebrity memoir, and conversations about identity told in a direct, intimate way. According to the notes, Laverne Cox reflects on growing up in Mobile, Alabama, where she never felt like she fit in—and didn’t want to. The episode frames that early sense of difference alongside her conviction that she was meant to be a star, a belief that the notes connect to her later breakthrough as Sophia Burset on Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black.” The show notes also highlight her historic Emmy nomination as the first openly transgender person recognized in an acting category. The main focus seems to be Cox’s new memoir, “Transcendent.” The notes suggest the conversation will cover how she became the person and performer she imagined she could be, as well as the romantic relationships that shaped her and her evolving relationship with herself. That makes this sound less like a career-only interview and more like a personal, emotionally layered discussion about ambition, love, and self-acceptance. If that mix appeals to you, this episode seems likely to offer a thoughtful entry point into Cox’s life story through the lens of “Modern Love.”
About this episode
<p>Laverne Cox never fit in as a child in Mobile, Ala. But she really didn’t want to. From an early age, she knew she was going to be a star, and she was right. Decades later, Cox would break through as Sophia Burset on Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black,” and become the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy Award in an acting category. </p> <p>In this episode of “Modern Love,” Cox talks about her new memoir, “Transcendent.” She tells the story of how she became the star she always knew she was, the men she loved along the way and how she learned to fully love herself. </p> <p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/how-to-submit-a-modern-love-essay.html" rel="noopener noreferrer">How to submit a Modern Love Essay</a><br><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/19/style/modern-love-tiny-love-stories.html?pgtype=Article&action=click&module=RelatedLinks" rel="noopener noreferrer">How to submit a Tiny Love Story</a></p> <p>Subscribe today at <a href="http://nytimes.com/podcasts" rel="noopener noreferrer">nytimes.com/podcasts</a> or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher</a>. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.</p> <p><p>Subscribe today at <a href="http://nytimes.com/podcasts">nytimes.com/podcasts</a> or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher">https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher</a>. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.</p></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>