Larger than life fashion journalist, stylist, creative director and editor André Leon Talley passed away unexpectedly on January 18, 2022. In this episode of love, respect, admiration and reflection, Laverne and her exceptional guests remind us why the world, the fashion world in particular, will miss the late great André Leon Talley. Iconic fashion designer and André’s longtime friend Norma Kamali shares stories starting from their early days in 1970’s New York City and Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post journalist Robin Givhan offers an industry perspective from the last 25 years of his life. Both are intimate, knowing, and candid, and say the same thing: there will never be another ALT.

A New Line: Robin Givhan Interviews André Leon Talley (2017) (courtesy of Washington Post Live Events)

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

More Links of Interest:

A.L.T. by André Leon Talley

Chiffon Trenches by André Leon Talley

The Gospel According to Andre (Documentary Official Trailer)

A Memorial for André Leon Talley (NYT)

André Leon Talley, the Pioneering Vogue Editor, Has Died at 73 (Vogue)

Norma Kamali: I Am Invincible (book)

Grace Jones Studio 54 New Years Eve Party (costume designed by Norma Kamali)

Jessye Norman (Opera Legends Documentary, YouTube)

ALT on Meeting Lagerfeld and Being Correct (YouTube)

John Fairchild, author of Fashionable Savages

Hilton Als' Profile (The New Yorker, 1994)

The Collection of André Leon Talley (Christie’s)

ALT Recent Auction (The Cut)

Laverne Cox and André Leon Talley on Watch What Happens Live 2015 

Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show Reinvents Lingerie (TIME, 2019)

André Leon Talley Dishes on Galliano, McQueen, and Lagerfeld, Darling (Interview Mag, 2020)

Andre Leon Talley Day (WWD, 2022)

Other Episodes Mentioned Relevant:

The Spirituality of Club Culture w/ Honey Dijon

Diary: Where Fashion Meets Art

The Legendary Life of Connie Fleming, Part I and Part II

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**Be sure to hear ALEX NEWELL'S 2023 TONY AWARD ACCEPTANCE SPEECH (X or TikTok)

Laverne has a fun catch-up sesh with her good friend Broadway supertalent Alex Newell. This year, Alex was one of the two gender nonconforming actors to ever win a Tony. They got theirs for their show-stopping performance as Lulu in the hit new musical Shucked. They walk Laverne through their rise to the Broadway stage, their unusual anatomy which plays a big role in their incredible voice, what’s next on their calendar, and most importantly, the crucial role The Fresh Prince of Bel Air had in their life. 

ALEX NEWELL 2023 TONY AWARD ACCEPTANCE SPEECH TRANSCRIPT:

“ I'm not going to hold y'all because it's hot in here. I have wanted this my entire life. I thank each and every one of you in this room right now. And mommy, I love you. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for teaching me what strength is. To my entire building and cast and crew of Shucked, you are my rock. I love you all. Thank you for seeing me, Broadway. I should not be up here as a queer, non binary, fat, black, little baby from Massachusetts. To anyone that thinks that they can't do it, I'm going to look you dead in your face that you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to.”

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

Links of Interest:

Alex Singing “Independently Owned” on The Voice Finale (2023) 

Alex’s Audition for The Glee Project Singing “And I Am Telling You”

The Glee Project

Alex Singing "I Am Changing" at 18 (credit Luciano Ferreiro)

Alex Singing “I Am Changing” at 22 (with Boston Gay Men’s Chorus)

Alex Singing “I Am Changing” at 29 (for Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth) (credit Shoshana Medney / bwaySHO)

The Broadway League

Alex Vocal Range (YouTube)

“Independently Owned” (Official Video) | Shucked

Alex in Once on This Island, “Mama Will Provide” (2018 Tony Awards)

Nell Carter

Jennifer Holliday

Black Music Archive

Alex Singing One of Producer Brooke’s Favorite Songs Ever

Other Episodes Mentioned or Relevant:

Overcoming Trauma Through Art w/ Billy Porter

Opera & Diva Worship w/ Ira Siff

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The legislative war against the LGBTQ+ community has been relentless and according to powerhouse civil rights attorney Alejandra Caraballo it may get even worse next year. Conservative republicans have introduced over 500 state bills this year alone to deny healthcare, threaten businesses and allies, and to try to force LGBTQ+ folks back into closets and shadows. But there are things we can do - and the first thing is to congratulate Alejandra. 

This conversation was recorded in June (2023) when most of the legislative proposals were complete for the year. 

See links below for updated legislative actions and stats and other resources.

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

Links of Interest:

Alejandra Caraballo on Instagram

2023 Legislative Session Tracker (ACLU)

2023 National Bills (Trans Legislation Tracker)

Map: Attacks on Gender Affirming Care by State (Human Rights Campaign)

Transition Related Care for Transgender Youth (National Center for Transgender Equality)

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TILDEF)

Campaign for Southern Equality

Human Rights Campaign (HRC)

GLAAD

Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8 (pub. 9/22, World Professional Association for Transgender Health)

The time to panic about anti-trans legislation is now (Vox)

The Far Right Is Calling for the Execution of Teachers and Doctors  (Vice)

PFLAG Resources 

Wilhoit’s Law

How DeSantis’ Fight With Disney Began (Washington Post)

Target becomes latest company to suffer backlash… (AP)

Other Episodes Mentioned or Relevant:

Reclaiming the Trans Narrative w/ Chase Strangio & Miss Peppermint

Transitioning as a Child & Beyond w/ Nicole Maines

Pushing Back Against Anti-Trans Media & Policies w/ Chase Strangio

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some fashion rises above normal clothing and becomes at some point art. Laverne shares her passion for fashion and the thrill of the chase. Her vintage designer collection is not only a resource for joy but the thrill of owning seminal pieces and seeing the development of a brilliant designer over time is just fun. Then there’s SEAM RIPPING!

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

Links of Interest:

Behind the Fashion - Summertime: A TripHopera

Summertime: A Trip Hopera Music Video

Thierry Mugler

Thierry Mugler at Brooklyn Museum

Thierry Mugler Jacket Animation (Fashion Institute of Technology)

Connie Fleming walking for Mugler - MUST SEE

George Michael - Too Funky (Official Video)

George Michael - Too Funky (Thierry Mugler Original Director's Cut)

John Galliano

Comme des Garçons

Issey Miyaki (New York Times Obit)

Lady Miss Kier

André Leon Talley (New York Times Obit)

Other Episodes Mentioned or Relevant:

The Spirituality of Club Culture w/ Honey Dijon

The Legendary Life of Connie Fleming, Part I and Part II

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are few things more vulnerable than singing, unless you’re Leontyne Price, of course. For the rest of us, though, it can be fraught. Laverne shares with us her journey through developing her voice as a transgender woman and as a lover of singing. And while the road, she says, has had some traumatic moments, she knows she will never stop. In fact, she has recently released her own version of the operatic classic “Summertime” from the opera Porgy and Bess - pop diva style! In this diary, Laverne talks about the study of voice, what makes a voice beautiful, and always being in process.

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

***

Links of Interest:

Summertime: A TripHopera (Official Video)

Shequida Hall (Instagram)

Key’mon Murrah, Countertenor 

The 5 Countertenors (YouTube)

Farinelli Movie Trailer (YouTube)

Derek Lee Ragin for Farinelli (YouTube)

Jessye Norman (YouTube)

Sarah Vaughn (YouTube)

Varla Jean Merman

Leontyne Price (NEA Opera Honors Interview, YouTube)

Kennedy Center Honors Leontyne Price (YouTube)

Marian Anderson Sings at Lincoln Memorial, 1939 (YouTube)

Marian Anderson "Ave Maria" on The Ed Sullivan Show, 1952 (YouTube)

Other Episodes Mentioned:

Opera & Diva Worship with Ira Siff

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connie Fleming. In this two-part episode honoring the legendary runway model, cabaret performer and NYC “door bitch”, Laverne gets allll the tea about Connie’s life then and now. These episodes are bursting with history, HERSTORY and fun, juicy details of incredible stories from back in the glorious (and terrifying) day.

Part II: The 90’s to Today

In this episode Laverne and Connie continue their no-holds-barred chat about her incredible life in New York City picking up in the 90’s  as the famously “discerning” door guard at the most happening nightclubs. She shares more details about her runway career, including her time in Paris, as well as the end of her time as an accepted transgender high fashion model.

Please rate, review, subscribe and share The Laverne Cox Show with everyone you know. You can find Laverne on Instagram and Twitter @LaverneCox and on Facebook at @LaverneCoxForReal.

As always, stay in the love.

Links of Interest - PART 2:

Michael Alig, Fixture of New York City Nightlife, Dies at 54 (2020, New York Times) 

Party Monster Doc

Andy Warhol (Brief History, YouTube)

Madame Arthur and Carousel 1950’s Paris

Marsha P. Johnson

International Chrysis in Photos

Split: Portrait of a Drag Queen (UCLA Film and Television Archive Panel Discussion, 2021)

International Chrysis (Boy Bar video, joined by Cody Ravioli)

Vivienne Westwood (Vogue)

Vivienne Westwood: Her Life and Career in Pictures (The Guardian)

André Leon Talley (New York Times Obit)

Joe Deitrich 

3 Vintage Trans Models You Might Not Know About (incl. Teri Toye)

Other Episodes Mentioned or Relevant:

The Groundbreaking Fashion Career of Tracey ‘Africa’ Norman

The Spirituality of Club Culture w/ Honey Dijon

CREDITS:

Executive Producers: Sandie Bailey, Alex Alcheh, Lauren Hohman, Tyler Klang & Gabrielle Collins

Producer & Co-Editor: Brooke Peterson-Bell

Co-Editor: Nikolas Harter

Associate Producer: Akiya McKnight

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.