Laverne Cox No Longer Lies About Her Age

With trans rights facing increasing challenges, do you hope this show will make a positive impact?

Yes, the authenticity of the show was really important. I mean, a lot of the show is stories from my life, but in our writers room, we had people who are trans, or queer people of color from the South who had a Black church background, so they were all able to bring their experiences. When you can draw from that authenticity, it’s just wonderful and exciting. For me, what’s great about our show is that Desiree's transness is like the least of issues and while her father has to make a lot of adjustments, he loves his child unconditionally. There are so many parents out there of all races and religious backgrounds who find their way to love their trans kids, even if they don't understand. And hopefully, the show is about love.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I’m so proud that I’m older and wiser. It’s taken a lot of therapy and to be willing to self-interrogate and be wrong so that I can change. It’s hard to admit when you've made a mistake and that maybe you’ve hurt someone or hurt yourself. I would say to my 17-year-old self, “Girl, it’s hard now and it’s going to get harder before it gets easier, but you’re on the right path and everything that you’re doing is for a reason and it’s leading you to where you’re supposed to be.” So I would just say you’re on the right path, keep following that, it’s God’s time, not your time, things will happen when they’re supposed to and when you’re ready.

Laverne Cox plays Kacy Duke, the celebrated fitness instructor who found herself drawn into scammer Anna Delvey's orbit in “Inventing Anna.”

Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

What's your attitude on aging?

I started lying about my age in my 20s. I became 22 on all the dating sites I was on and then after a while, it became uncomfortable lying and I would just say I’m over 21. And “over 21” became my official age for years. The story I told myself about aging was that over a certain age, I wasn’t datable or desirable. When 30 happened, I felt like a failure because I wasn’t anywhere near where I wanted to be in my life. I was very ambitious and when 40 happened, I was devastated, because I thought there was no possibility of me ever having the life of my dreams and becoming a working actor. It’s hard enough being Black and trans and a woman in Hollywood and then having to be older too. I remember I had a speaking engagement in Texas at this wonderful women’s conference and I was all dramatic and said, “I'm going to say something I’ve never said in public before. I’m 47 years old.” I thought an earthquake would come and take me off the earth if I ever admitted my age, yet the reality was no one in the room cared and it wasn’t a big deal. Today, I proudly say I’m 52, and that is huge progress after lying about my age for years.

How do you stay healthy and fit in your 50s?

I’ve always been a dancer, but I’m not dancing at the moment. I do a lot of grounding exercises, community resiliency model and trauma resiliency work for sure. I don’t exercise enough, especially at this age, to protect my joints. I want to be mobile as I get older, so I know I need to exercise more, and I’m working on it.

Has your health routine changed at all as you’ve gotten older?

I’m taking more supplements, and there are these great Elysium supplements a friend of mine told me about that help with skin support and brain health. My doctor told me I need more iron and vitamin D, so I’m doing that as well. As for my diet, I eat protein, and kind of eat what I want and try not to get crazy about calories. I do stay out of the sun and have been getting facials from Joanna Vargas for over a year now and using her products, like this facial roller that keeps my skin firm. I think a lot of it is genetic — my mom doesn’t really have any wrinkles.

Lea DeLaria, left, Taryn Manning and Laverne Cox on “Orange is the New Black.”

Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

How have your priorities changed as you've gotten older?

My priorities are kindness and self-care. I know I need to take better care of myself. I can’t be willy-nilly with things like sleep. As I’ve gotten older and as my life has gotten bigger, I’ve prioritized healthy eating, sleep and psychological well-being. My emotional health and spiritual health are the most important things, even more important than my jobs. I can’t do my career if I don’t take care of myself.