Instagram/@lavernecox
In Laverne Cox’s latest Instagram post, she serves looks and laughs, cheekily bringing up Miley while plugging her new one-woman show. Cox posted the ultra-glam image, writing in the caption, “Miley won’t be there. But archival Mugler will certainly be in the house.” It sparked an ebb and flows from adoring fanfare to controversy.
Advertisement
The Orange Is The New Black star is to perform Gurrl, How Did I Get Here at City Winery in New York on July 28. The caption wiles a combination of a plug for the show and a shoutout to fashion, carrying the hashtag #AMOMENTOFMUGLER, calling attention to the famed designer. The glitz continues into the video transcription as it poetically relates to grace and perfection.
The general online reaction was supportive of Cox’s post. Comments were rife with praise for female power and compelling visuals. One poster joyfully exclaimed, “Yes girl power! Lift each other up. No competition. LOVE & EMPOWERMENT will (slowly) change this world,” a sentiment held by most. Another admirer simply wrote, “You both look absolutely stunning,” although that unknown may remain impossible to discern from the post.
Yet other comments took a slightly unsavory turn. Of course, the usual transphobic comments appeared, one stated very crudely, “The only difference is one of them is a real woman the other is a man playing dress up.” It was completely opposite to empowerment and, of course, to everything Cox stands for in her de facto work for trans rights. One other comment unpoliticly introduced race into the discussion, “Ummm, I’ll give it to the white lady on the right.”
Many admirers chose to flaunt their love for the design style, one remarking, “Gorg I wanna wear one too.” Cox’s post was an international phenomenon, with the Spanish comment: “SON ÍCONOS, SON LEYENDAS Y SON EL MOMENTO,” showing the reach of Cox.
Unpredictably, Miley Cyrus seems to get thrown into almost every joke in Cox’s witty captions, making for a fabulous texture in the post. Where the precise context remains unsaid, the mention either suggests an inside joke or is a very clever ploy to draw attention toward her show. Cox herself has generally used humor both in interviews and on social media to approach serious matters or simply to entertain her audience.
Advertisement
The aforesaid one-woman show will mark yet another milestone in an account filled with many others. From taking tentative first steps in boundary-breaking with the role of Sophia Burset to activism and now performing on stage, Laverne Cox ensures she stays on course to be crossing even more lines. The Mugler mention in the post speaks of her status as a fashion icon, whereas the Miley reference shows she is not to be taken too seriously. As the comments showed, that ability to inspire awe and truly spark conversation is still very much alive today.