Angelica Ross, a name that’s become synonymous with resilience, innovation, and representation, has carved out a powerful legacy as an entrepreneur, activist, and actress. Over the years, Angelica Ross has emerged as one of the most influential voices in America’s transgender community—not just through her on-screen presence, but through her tireless advocacy and groundbreaking work behind the scenes.
Born in Racine, Wisconsin in 1980, Angelica Ross joined the U.S. Army in her late teens, only to be discharged under the controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy just six months later when her sexuality came to light. That early setback was only the beginning of a journey marked by courage and determination. After being disowned by her evangelical Christian parents during her gender transition, Angelica Ross moved to Florida, where she began rebuilding her life. There, she worked briefly as a model and escort, pursued a degree in Theater at Florida Atlantic University, and eventually launched her own graphic design and web development business.
Her passion for uplifting marginalized communities led her to Chicago, where she served as employment coordinator at the Trans Life Center. It was there that Angelica Ross founded TransTech Social Enterprises—an innovative nonprofit dedicated to training and empowering transgender women, particularly in tech and digital fields. Her leadership didn’t go unnoticed: she was named the first-ever Foot Soldier of the Year by political commentator Melissa Harris-Perry and invited to speak at the White House LGBT Tech and Innovation Summit, further cementing Angelica Ross’s status as a trailblazer.
In 2016, Angelica Ross co-created and starred in the Emmy-nominated web series Her Story, a poignant portrayal of two transgender women navigating love and identity in Los Angeles. The series earned critical acclaim and a nomination for Best Short at the 2016 Emmy Awards, marking a major milestone in her artistic career. Around the same time, she appeared in the web series Our Story, further showcasing her talent and commitment to authentic transgender narratives.
Angelica Ross continued to expand her presence on screen with guest roles in popular series like Transparent (Amazon), the short-lived legal drama Doubt (CBS, 2017), and as the voice of the Mayor in the children’s animated series Danger and Eggs (Amazon). She also took on the role of Relevance, a stripper with depth and dignity, in the TNT crime series Claws (2017–).
After appearing in impactful short films such as Missed Connections (2017) and The Heart of a Woman (2017), Angelica Ross landed a breakout role as Candy Ferocity in Ryan Murphy’s critically acclaimed FX series Pose (2018–). Set in the 1980s New York ballroom scene, Pose features one of the largest transgender casts in television history, and Angelica Ross stood out as both a performer and a symbol of visibility and strength.
Through every chapter of her journey—whether as an entrepreneur creating opportunity, an activist demanding equity, or an actress redefining representation—Angelica Ross continues to inspire. With each project, public appearance, and initiative, Angelica Ross proves that authenticity, talent, and perseverance can change lives and shape culture.
When it comes to Angelica Ross’s body of work, her highest rated film definitely stands out as Queering the Script (2019), which received strong acclaim and resonated well with both audiences and critics. Over time, Angelica Ross has built a solid reputation, and this particular project really highlighted her impact in the industry. On the other hand, one of the lower points in terms of ratings came with Framing Agnes (2022), which, despite its important subject matter, didn’t receive the same level of praise. Still, Angelica Ross continues to be a powerful voice, and her involvement in such projects shows her dedication to meaningful storytelling. Whether it’s through film or music, Angelica Ross consistently brings depth and authenticity to her roles.