Trans Actor Brian Michael Smith Named in People’s ‘Sexiest Men Alive’
For the first time, People Magazine announced that one of its “sexiest men alive” is trans. Actor Brian Michael Smith is the first trans man to be included on the list and sits beside several queer honorees like Ricky Martin and Lil Nas X.
Smith currently stars on Fox’s 9-1-1: Lone Star and has had roles in The L Word: Generation Q and After, among many others. He also appeared in the Netflix documentary Disclosure, a film outlining the history of trans representation in the media, as himself.
Smith shared a photo of himself lifting weights on Instagram, adding that his inclusion was a historic move.
“I’ve been called many things, this is a first,” he wrote. “Incredibly honored to be included in this list with so many actors I admire. Big love to (People) for the historic shout out.”
View this post on Instagram
The comments on Smith’s post were filled with affirming and congratulatory sentiments from fellow actors and industry professionals.
“THIS IS AWESOME,” Encanto star Stephanie Beatriz writes.
“you had the guns out!! Congrats!” model and and actress Isis King adds.
Smith’s 9-1-1: Lone Star Ronen Rubinstein, who recently came out as bisexual, was also on the list and similarly shared the announcement, thanking the magazine for including him and Smith.
One of our favorites and former Aurora resident Bowen Yang was also named on the list, along with a full article dedicated to his debut. He discussed attending SNL afterparties and recalled his dance to “Be My Lover” by La Bouche, which he says impressed fellow cast mate Michael Che.
“Normally he’s cool as a cucumber, so if I can get Che out of his chair, then I’ve done something right,” Yang tells People.
While it’s a shame that it’s taken until 2021 to see this much queer representation—or any trans representation at all—on the long-running list, hopefully this is a sign that People and other media outlets will continue to include LGBTQ folks in their conversations.
Photo courtesy of Brian Michael Smith on Instagram
What's Your Reaction?
