06/01/24
Though it's been six years since Pose premiered on FX, this is still one of the most groundbreaking TV series of the 21st century — introducing the world to ballroom culture and some of the most talented actors and performers of our day.
The show, which ran for three seasons on FX between in 2018 and 2021, followed several houses of Black and Latino queer people in the 1980s and 1990s in New York City's ballroom culture.
The massive success of Pose led to several history-making awards, including Billy Porter being the first out gay Black man to be nominated for and win an Emmy lead acting category, and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez becoming the first trans lead actor ever nominated for the Emmy for Lead Actress.
Since the final season aired in 2021, several Pose stars have gone on to become even bigger names, while others have taken a step back from Hollywood. Let's take a look at where the cast is now.
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez made history on Pose playing house mother Blanca Evangelista — earning herself an Emmy nomination and winning a Golden Globe.
Since Pose, Rodriguez has appeared in movies like Tick, Tick… Boom! and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, where she voiced an actual Transformer! She's also had lead roles in two TV shows, Loot on Apple TV+, and Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story: Delicate.
Billy Porter
Billy Porter became a true superstar thanks to his role on Pose, picking up an Emmy and getting three Golden Globe nominations. Since the show, he made his film directorial debut with the teen romance Anything's Possible, played the Fabulous Godmother in Amazon's Cinderella, and played a father struggling with divorce in Our Son.
He also has appeared on several TV shows, including the new Twilight Zone, and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder where he voices a gay father. He is set to play writer James Baldwin in an upcoming biopic.
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Dominique Jackson
Jackson played the imposing and gorgeous Elektra on Pose, and since, has continued to appear on television. In 2021, she appeared in three episodes of the show American Gods, as Ms. World, an aspect of Mr. World, the leader of the New Gods and God of Globalization. She also has guest judged two episodes of the ballroom competition series Legendary, and played Bloody Mary in an episode of American Horror Stories.
Angelica Ross
Angelica Ross played Candy Ferocity on Pose, and her character was tragically murdered. After Pose, Ross starred in two seasons of American Horror Story: 1984 and Double Feature, but later revealed she was subjected to racism and transphobia while working on those shows.
In 2022, she appeared in the movie Framing Agnes, and made her Broadway debut starring as Roxie Hart in Chicago, becoming the first out trans woman to play a leading role on Broadway.
Ross announced in 2023 that she would be leaving Hollywood to move back to Georgia where she will continue to make art and is preparing to run for office.
Indya Moore
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Since Pose, Indya Moore has continued to work as a model, becoming the first trans person to be featured on the cover of the US version of Elle. They've had small roles in several movies including Escape Room: Tournament of Champions, Nimona, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and the upcoming Ponyboi. They also voice a character on the animated series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.
Moore is also an outspoken advocate for social issues.
Angel Bismark Curiel
Angel Bismark Curiel starred in the 2020 high school chess film Critical Thinking, and was in a relationship with Pose writer Janet Mock. After the show, however, he's seemingly taken a step back from Hollywood.
Dyllón Burnside
On Pose, Dyllón Burnside played Ricky Evangelista, a young dancer. After the show, he worked again with Murphy on American Horror Stories and Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, and appeared in the movie Wild Goat Surf. He has also appeared on Broadway in Thoughts of a Colored Man and BLACK SUPERHERO.
Hailie Sahar
Hailie Sahar played Lulu in Pose, one of the cofounders of the House of Ferocity. Outside of Pose, she had a recurring role in Good Trouble and was in four episodes of Eastsiders. She also played Sylvia Rivera in an episode of Equal. She is working on a biopic of famous trans performer Sir Lady Java.
Ryan Jamaal Swain
Ryan Jamaal Swain played the young dancer Damon Richards-Evangelista on Pose, but left after the season 3 premiere due to his real-life sister being murdered. He took a step back from acting, and recently celebrated his 30th birthday.
Jeremy Pope
Jeremy Pope appeared in the third season of Pose as Christopher, a man who dates Blanca. After the show, he blew up and has become a true star.
In 2020, he was nominated for an Emmy for starring in the Netflix miniseries Hollywood. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe for his role as a closeted soldier in the film The Inspection. On Broadway, he played artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in The Collaboration, about Basquiat and Andy Warhol working together. He is reprising the role in a film version of the play also starring Paul Bettany.
Sandra Bernhard
Legendary comedian Sandra Bernhard played Nurse Judy Kabrak in Pose, and has since appeared in shows like American Horror Story: NYC, Sweetbitter, and So Help Me Todd, and is in the movie Babes, releasing this year.
Evan Peters
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Evan Peters has continued to work with Ryan Murphy, starring in American Horror Story: Apocalypse, American Horror Story: Double Feature, and Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story as the title serial killer. He won the Golden Globe and was nominated for an Emmy for the role.
The actor has also appeared in the MCU show WandaVision as a twist on his version of Quicksilver from the Fox X-Men movies. On the film side, Peters voiced a character in Disney's Wish, and will appear in the upcoming sequel Tron: Ares.
Charlayne Woodard
Charlayne Woodard played Helena St. Rogers, a dance teacher that works closely with Damon. The stage veteran has been a regular on TV since Pose ended, appearing in shows including Bull, All Rise, In Treatment, Animal Kingdom, Secret Invasion, Mayfair Witches, and The Spiderwick Chronicles.
