Nava Mau 'never considered' it would be hard to get into acting
The 32-year-old actress has revealed that when she first started acting, she had no idea how difficult it was to break into the industry. In a recent interview with Cosmopolitan, Nava explained that instead of jumping right in, she took part in Peacock Rebellion's Brouhaha, a comedy storytelling programme for trans women of colour, where she discovered her love of performing. The following year she wrote, directed, starred in and produced her first short film, Waking Hour. Despite dipping her toe in the industry, she still didn't know…
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Buzz Feed
10 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
11 On-Screen Hairstyles That Were Wigs, Extensions, Dyed
1. Last year, Miley Cyrus revealed that she used to wear at least '250 individual hair extensions' at the request of her mom, Tish Cyrus, presumably when she starred on the Disney series Hannah Montana. 'If it was under 250, my mom wasn't having it. Tish would say, 'We need another row!'' she shared on Harper's Bazaar's The Good Buy podcast. 2. Fellow ex-Disney star Ashley Tisdale wore extensions while filming part of the High School Musical franchise after her hair became 'absolutely fried' from bleaching it. She told Cosmopolitan this year, 'For the first High School Musical, I had been rehearsing for, like, two weeks, and you become the character during those rehearsals. I was light blonde, and they put in these lowlights. And I thought, Woah, this is not Sharpay. I ran to [director] Kenny Ortega and was like, 'This isn't right.' He agreed, but we were supposed to film the next day. So we just bleached my hair, and it absolutely fried it. I have thick hair, so we had to put extensions up to the root to match the thickness, and people thought I was wearing wigs in the film.' 3. Leighton Meester famously dyed her natural blonde hair dark when she played Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl. 4. Rachel McAdams wore a $10,000 wig when playing Regina George in Mean Girls. Her costar Rajiv Surendra shared in 2016, 'They had a wig made out of human hair by a very well-known wig maker from this little town called Stratford, Ontario. I don't know if this is actually true, but I remember hearing something about Rachel not wanting to bleach all of her hair. So the front bit was bleach blonde, so that was her real hair, but the wig was fake. I remember walking in to the makeup and hair trailer regularly and seeing the wig being washed. They actually would wash it and put this little shower cap thing on it that they would hook the blow dryer onto that would dry the wig. It was like a $10,000 wig.' 5. Ariana Grande bleached and dyed her hair bright red regularly for years while playing Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon's Victorious. She eventually started wearing a wig, writing in a Facebook post that her hair was 'completely destroyed' as a result of the regular coloring. 6. Sofía Vergara is a natural blonde, though she dyed her hair dark brown to help her book jobs in Hollywood early in her career. She shared last year, 'The way that I looked was not the way that Hollywood really saw Latina women. They were expecting a more dark-haired woman. It was difficult because they were a little confused, like, 'This woman sounds like a Latin woman but she's blonde.'" 7. Naturally a brunette, Nikki Reed dyed her hair blonde to play Rosalie Hale in the Twilight series. 'It took 36 hours initially to make me blonde, and every other day, I was bleaching my head and my skin," she shared back in 2009, adding that she was 'testing out different wigs' for the rest of the franchise. 8. In 2019, Zooey Deschanel recalled having to go blonde for the 2003 movie Elf. 'I had to dye my hair blonde for a screen test for a movie that never happened before I did Elf,' she shared. 'I went in for the meeting for Elf, and then I asked them, 'Could I dye my hair back to my natural color?' And they said, 'No. You have to keep your hair [as] it was in the meeting.' So, I had to wait until I was done with that movie. But as soon as I was done with that movie, I pretty much dyed it back.' 9. Debby Ryan, who is a natural blonde, dyed her hair red while starring in the Disney Channel series Jessie — something that she described as 'a lot of maintenance' during a 2014 Teen Vogue interview. 10. Ashley Benson eventually wore a blonde wig on Pretty Little Liars after bleaching her hair so much that it fell out. 'I bleached my hair so much during Season 3, and it fell right off, and you couldn't even tell. I got a call from Warner Bros. like, 'You need to do something with your hair.' And I'm like, 'Well, duh, I'm bald!' Bleaching my hair was my biggest regret,' she told Elle in 2018. 11. Finally, Keira Knightley has talked openly about wearing wigs in movies after her hair became super damaged from constantly dying it. 'It got so bad that my hair literally began to fall out of my head. So for the past five years I've used wigs, which is the greatest thing that's ever happened to my hair,' she shared in 2018. If you can think of more examples, let me know in the comments.
Cosmopolitan
14 hours ago
- Cosmopolitan
The 5 Best Dating Apps For Trans People
Welcome to Love Transcends, a special project by Cosmopolitan that celebrates the resilience, wisdom, hope, and joy of the trans community as its members navigate romantic love. Through in-depth interviews and personal essays, trans people share what it's like to date, hook up, break up, and fall in and hold onto love in the midst of sweeping anti-trans legislation and attacks on personal safeties and freedoms of expression. Click here to see the entire collection. Whether you've been swiping since the dawn of Tinder or you're brand-new to the apps, success for anyone requires knowing what you want out of the experience, picking the right platform, and, for transgender people in particular, considering a few other unique needs. 'Trans people face the challenge of being misunderstood, objectified, or harassed on dating apps,' says trans dating and relationship coach Kara Chang, adding that daters may also grapple with 'decision fatigue around when and how to disclose our trans identity.' Plus, there's the fact that, as Chang notes, many dating apps simply weren't built with trans people in mind. That makes choosing the right ones all the more important. First, look for platforms that prioritize inclusivity and safety. 'A good dating app protects you as a user, gives you the freedom to express your gender identity authentically, and has a culture that values respect and an equal user experience for all,' says Chang. Of course, as queer love coach Nathan Serrato, founder of Queer Conscious, adds, the trans dating experience is unique to each individual. What works for one dater may not work for another. But this curated selection of dating apps—recommended for trans and nonbinary users by LGBTQIA+ dating experts—is a good place to start. Grindr is best known as a dating/hookup app for gay men, but it's so much more than that. Zachary Zane, Grindr's sex and relationship expert, says the platform is inclusive of queer, trans, and nonbinary folks as well. 'On Grindr,' explains Zane, 'bisexual men are looking to date trans women. There are gay and bi trans men looking for other men. Nonbinary folks are looking for love and there are plenty of queer people on the app looking to date a trans or nonbinary person.' Plus, as one of the first and largest online dating platforms for queer users, Grindr has a long history of providing a space designed specifically with LGBTQIA+ daters in mind. That ethos extends beyond the app itself. Launched in 2015, Grindr for Equality, the brand's social impact initiative, partners with public health authorities and other activist organizations to advance LGBTQIA+ health and human rights. Download Here One of the earliest online dating platforms, OkCupid has long been a pioneer of inclusivity. Back in 2014, the app became the first in the biz to expand gender and sexual orientation options for users, and daters can now choose from over 60 labels. In 2022, OkCupid also added definitions for these labels to help better educate all users. Plus, 'the algorithm actually uses your questionnaire responses to match you with people who are genuinely compatible,' says Chang. This can lead to less mindless swiping and more meaningful connections with like-minded people who know (and love!) what you're all about. Download Here If Grindr is known as an app for gay men, HER is the most prominent app for lesbian women. But, like Grindr, HER is an inclusive platform that welcomes queer sapphics of all kinds, including nonbinary and trans people. HER also boasts a Trust and Safety team, a verification process designed to weed out fakes and scammers, and moderators to ensure all users enjoy a respectful experience. Plus, HER's website specifically mentions keeping the app transphobe-free—a helpful indicator that the platform is serious about the needs and safety of its trans users. Download Here 'Translr is one of the rare apps built for the trans community. It's a space dedicated to trans people and the people who want to date us,' says Chang. 'There is a mutual understanding among users—no need to explain our existence, just vibes and love.' The app also boasts a rigorous verification process to protect users and block fetishizers and catfish, as well as a zero-tolerance policy for harassment. Download Here While apps that are designed specifically for queer and/or trans users may provide a safer and more inclusive experience, they also tend to come with the downside of smaller dating pools. Unfortunately, 'more users can also mean more exposure to transphobia,' says Serrato. Enter: Hinge, a popular dating app that welcomes daters of all genders and sexual orientations and actively works to provide a safe and supportive experience for queer and trans users. 'As trans people, we often feel like our identities are being flattened, with people focusing primarily on our trans identity instead of our full selves,' says Moe Ari Brown, Hinge's love and connection expert. Per Brown, Hinge 'understands that trans people are more than their identities and that meaningful connections happen when everyone feels safe showing up as their full self.' The app includes more than 50 gender options and users can write in their own or not share a gender identity in their profile at all. 'This allows people to express who they are without forcing anyone to disclose any information they don't want to,' says Brown. In February, as a result of conversations with Hinge's community partner TransTech Social, the app launched Match Note, a feature designed to help users—particularly those from underrepresented groups—share important information about themselves with matches only. In testing, Brown says queer daters used Match Notes to highlight key aspects of their gender identity, lifestyle, and relationship preferences, adding that 83 percent of trans people said the feature 'improved their ability to show up as their authentic self on Hinge.' Download Here For an expanded list of resources specific to the trans community, click here.
Cosmopolitan
14 hours ago
- Cosmopolitan
Expert Answers To Your Trans Dating Questions
Welcome to Love Transcends, a special project by Cosmopolitan that celebrates the resilience, wisdom, hope, and joy of the trans community as its members navigate romantic love. Through in-depth interviews and personal essays, trans people share what it's like to date, hook up, break up, and fall in and hold onto love in the midst of sweeping anti-trans legislation and attacks on personal safeties and freedoms of expression. Click here to see the entire collection. If you're new to dating as a trans person, it's only natural to have some questions about what to expect—from how your identity may affect your love life to where and how to find successful, satisfying relationships. And while there's no one standard 'trans dating experience,' odds are, many of your fellow daters are wondering some of the same things you are. We tapped some of the top queer dating and relationships experts in the country to answer the most frequently asked questions they hear from their trans clients. Keep reading for their insight and advice that can help guide you in creating a rich, safe dating life. Just keep in mind, this isn't meant to be a definitive instruction manual. As always, your love life is yours, and what will work best for you is entirely dependent on your own unique needs and desires. 'This question is at the heart of so many trans people's dating app experiences. It's not just about strategy; it's about safety, self-trust, and emotional capacity. When it comes to dating as a trans person, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some trans folks are comfortable sharing their identity on their profile. Some share later, once there's a sense of trust. All are valid. What matters most is that you get to set the terms of your visibility in a way that feels celebratory of you. You don't owe anyone access to your story before you're ready to share it.' —Moe Ari Brown, love and connection expert at Hinge How can I make sure I'm safe when meeting someone new? 'A lot of people begin their journey on trans- and queer-friendly apps, which make it easier to filter and can provide anonymity, if needed. I often tell my clients to create a blank profile and just have a look around to see how it feels before they fill it out. Then, when meeting, it's worth getting to know someone in public spaces before being alone. This means you can get a feel for who they are and whether you might enjoy their company in a more private setting in the future. When meeting someone for the first time, I recommend telling a trusted friend or family member what your plans are and where you're going and checking in with them when you get home. And if you do feel uncomfortable or like your safety may be at risk, try to leave the situation and/or inform someone in the vicinity. You can also report bad behavior on most dating platforms.' —Shae Harmon, queer sex and relationship therapist 'The answer to this can vary depending on many factors including where you live and how you met them. Some people disclose before a first date to filter out incompatible matches early and to help them feel safer from potential transphobia or negative reactions down the line. Others prefer to wait until they've decided there's a connection that's worth pursuing. I always recommend at least disclosing before any intimacy occurs and to have that conversation in a public space for your protection.' —Nathan Serrato, queer love coach and founder of Queer Conscious Is it possible for trans people to find love? 'Absolutely! Some people aren't open to trans dating, but if someone can't accept us on the most basic level, why would we want to be with them? Smart dating is not about attracting every fish in the sea; it's about attracting better fish. Life is too short to convince someone to love you. The right person will love you for all of you.' —Kara Chang, trans dating and relationship coach How can I find other trans people to date? 'Many trans people want T4T (trans for trans) relationships because they feel it's important to date others who have an understanding of trans experiences. It can be easier to bond when someone else can empathize with your experience. That said, dating only trans or nonbinary people means the dating pool becomes smaller, and it can be harder to find new connections. Some places you might find other trans people to date include local queer/trans meetups, queer speed dating events, dating apps (especially queer- and trans-friendly ones), social media, and online groups.' —Harmon 'When your identity has been fetishized, misunderstood, or reduced to a curiosity, it makes perfect sense to wonder: Is this genuine interest, or am I just someone they want to try? One of the most significant signs someone may be fetishizing you is if they only see the label, not the person. They focus on your transness, not your wholeness. You are more than your labels. You are more than your history or gender transition. Watch their language. Are they asking questions that center you, your passions, your joy, and your beliefs? Or do they fixate only on your transness? Being curious about trans people isn't the same as being ready to love one. You deserve someone who sees your identity and interior world—someone who is intrigued by your story and devoted to your peace, pleasure, and becoming.' —Brown 'No. Trans-attracted people seek long-term relationships, are secure in their identity, and respect trans people. Trans-chasers are often on the DL, seek discreet encounters, and objectify trans people. Healthy attraction empowers us; chasing dehumanizes us. By knowing the difference, we can create a dating culture rooted in respect and shift the narrative around trans love.' —Chang 'As trans people, we've had to be strong in ways most people will never understand. That means we sometimes have to guard our softness to avoid harm. So how do you stay open without sacrificing your safety? First, notice how your body responds around someone you're dating. If your breath deepens and your shoulders drop, that's a green flag. 'When opening up to a new date or partner, start with micro-vulnerability. You don't have to overshare to be real. Offer something true but small about yourself and see how they respond. A safe person won't rush your story; they'll honor it and respect your pace. Also, give yourself permission to pause and to pivot. Softness doesn't mean staying open to everyone. You absolutely get to walk away when your peace is disturbed.' —Brown 'One of the best ways to stay hopeful is to build queer and trans community around you. Dating with an affirming community behind your back who's boosting your confidence and meeting your needs can be the stable foundation you need to get through the ups and downs. Additionally, research shows that most LGBTQIA+ relationships begin as friendships, so by building community and nurturing those connections, you might just naturally meet someone who becomes more than a friend.' —Serrato 'You deserve relationships where people celebrate your identity, not just tolerate it. It can be exhausting to manage other people's discomfort, especially if you feel like you're constantly preparing for the worst. One approach is to lead with pride—speak about your relationship with joy and respect, not as someone you need to explain or defend. And remember: Your transness isn't a complication. It's just part of who you are.' —Madison Werner, LGBTQIA+ advocate and the first trans face of a CoverGirl beauty campaign. For an expanded list of resources specific to the trans community, click here.
