Angelica Ross facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Angelica Ross
Ross in 2017
Born	(1980-11-28) November 28, 1980 (age 44) Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S.
Occupation	Actor businesswoman
Years active	2005–present
Organization	TransTech Social Enterprises

Angelica Ross (born November 28, 1980) is an American actress and businesswoman. She is also a strong supporter of transgender rights. Ross taught herself how to use computers and programming. She then started her own company, TransTech Social Enterprises. This company helps transgender people find jobs in the technology world.

Ross started acting in a web series called Her Story in 2016. She became very well-known for her roles in the TV shows Pose (2018–2021) and American Horror Story (2019–2021). Both of these popular shows were on the FX channel.

About Angelica Ross's Early Life

Angelica Ross was born on November 28, 1980, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She grew up nearby in Racine. Ross is a trans woman. She has shared that she felt feminine from a young age. When she was 17, she shared her identity with her mother. Her mother was a very religious person. This news was difficult for her mother to accept.

After finishing high school, Ross briefly attended the University of Wisconsin–Parkside. She left after one semester. Ross then joined the U.S. Navy to help pay for her education. She was stationed in Japan. After six months, she left the Navy. This was due to a policy called "Don't Ask Don't Tell" and difficult experiences.

Ross moved back home and began her gender transition at age 19. Her mother had trouble understanding this. Ross then moved in with her biological father in Roanoke, Virginia. He was more accepting. Over time, Ross and her parents were able to improve their relationship. While in Roanoke, Ross worked as a waitress. She also went to cosmetology school. Later, she moved to Hollywood, Florida. There, she worked in web management. She also started her own business in web development and graphic design. She took acting classes too. Later, she moved to Chicago. She became an employment coordinator for the Trans Life Center.

Angelica Ross's Career

Acting Roles and Achievements

Angelica Ross started her acting career in 2005. She appeared in the film Natale a Miami. In 2016, she gained attention for her role in Her Story. This web series was about trans women in Los Angeles. The series was even nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.

In 2017, she appeared in several TV shows. These included Doubt on CBS and Claws on TNT. She also appeared in Transparent on Amazon Prime Video. Ross also helped produce and starred in a short film called Missed Connections. This film was shown at several film festivals. In June 2017, she also did voice work for the animated series Danger & Eggs.

Her biggest acting success came in 2018. She played Candy Ferocity in the FX drama series Pose. Critics praised her performance. She then starred as Donna Chambers in American Horror Story: 1984. This made her the first transgender actress to have two regular roles on TV series. She also returned for the show's tenth season in 2021.

In 2020, Ross signed a deal to develop TV projects. She played Georgia, a transgender woman, in the 2022 film Framing Agnes.

Ross made her Broadway debut in 2022. She played Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago. This made her the first trans woman to play a main role on Broadway.

In September 2023, Ross shared that she was leaving Hollywood. She mentioned moving back to Georgia. She also shared plans to run for public office.

Work in Technology

Ross taught herself computer coding and web management. She also learned graphic design and photography. She used online videos to learn these skills. She took photos for musicians and designed special passes for events. Later, she worked for the Chicago House's TransLife Center. This center helps trans people find jobs and housing. Her job was to help create employment programs.

In 2014, Ross started her own company, TransTech Social Enterprises. She is the CEO of this non-profit company. It trains and hires transgender people and others in creative design and technology. In 2015, Melissa Harris-Perry featured Ross and her company on her TV show. This helped bring more attention to TransTech. Ross returned as the head of TransTech in 2024.

Ross is also the president of Miss Ross, Inc. She also started the TransTech Summit. Ross wants TransTech to help people, especially trans people, learn technology skills. She believes that remote work can offer flexible solutions for jobs.

In 2015, Ross was a speaker at the White House LGBTQ Tech and Innovation Summit.

Other Projects

In January 2024, Ross launched a new weekly podcast. It is called N.O.W.: No Opportunity Wasted. The podcast features discussions on many topics. These include politics and pop culture.

Angelica Ross's Activism

Ross was an ambassador for the 50th Anniversary Stonewall celebration in June 2019. This event celebrated LGBTQ+ history. On September 20, 2019, Ross hosted a forum for presidential candidates. This forum focused on LGBTQ issues. She was the first openly transgender person to host such an event. On September 28, 2019, Ross was a speaker at the National Trans Visibility March in Washington D.C..

Angelica Ross's Personal Life

Angelica Ross was once engaged to be married. However, she ended the engagement. Her fiancé did not want others to know that Ross was transgender. She practices Buddhist beliefs.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Awards and Nominations

Honors and Recognition

• In 2015, Melissa Harris-Perry named Ross her "1st Foot Soldier of the Year."
• In June 2019, Queerty named her one of the Pride50. This was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. The Pride50 list honors people who work for equality and acceptance for all queer people.

See also

In Spanish: Angelica Ross para niños