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Nicole Maines of 'Supergirl' Opens Up About Being TV's First Transgender Superhero


Nicole Maines is changing television forever tonight: On the CW’s season premiere of Supergirl, she’ll portray TV’s first transgender superhero Nia Nal, a.k.a Dreamer. In an interview with the New York Times ahead of her big debut, Maines talked about how excited she is to have landed the role and what her historic casting means for trans representation.

Maines, who first rose to prominence as a plaintiff in the Maine Supreme Court case Doe v. Clenchy over transgender bathroom rights, told the Times that it’s “a phenomenal time to be a queer nerd,” likely referring to other high-profile castings, such as Ruby Rose being chosen to play a lesbian reimagining of Catwoman, also on the CW. “We have so much representation on the superhero shows!” Maines said.

She also opened up about the importance of kids meeting her character for the first time and having a trans superhero help bring more awareness to trans experiences.

“I think kids need to watch Supergirl for Nia, because there are more and more trans people coming out younger and younger,” she said. “I think it is necessary to educate folks on trans issues and to make them aware of trans identities and normalize it, because it is normal. But when you’re shielded from something and it’s actively censored, it takes a negative connotation. If people are more educated and they’re more aware of these issues and more familiar, they won’t feel so foreign.”

Maines was also asked why it’s critical to have a trans person playing a trans character, a question that has been continually brought up when non-trans actresses are chosen to portray trans people (Scarlett Johansson recently left a production after trans rights supporters called for more authentic representation.) Maines’ answer was eloquent and straightforward: “Because it’s validating.”

“When we have a trans woman playing a trans woman then you see, ‘Oh wait, this is what trans really is. This is what it looks like: a person.’ That sends a message to trans kids that they are valid in their identities, that they are allowed to exist. It also sends a message to cisgender people, to parents, that trans people are not dangerous or sexually deviant or any of these myths that have kind of been construed by conservative outlets. It’s just an identity that people live,” she said.

Maines will continue to make history as the show goes on. Supergirl airs tonight at 8/7 central.

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Nicole Kidman: Women in Hollywood Are 'Lucky' Now That They Can Age Like Men


I don’t know about you, but season two of Big Little Lies can’t come soon enough. For one, all the cast members are returning, including Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Zoë Kravitz, Laura Dern, and Shailene Woodley. Plus, we all now know that Madeline (Witherspoon) is going to throw ice cream on Meryl Streep. Really, how could they tease something like that then make us wait?

But it isn’t just Madeline’s brilliant one-liners (“I love my grudges; I tend to them like little pets”) or Kidman’s profound portrayal of a domestic abuse survivor that makes the show so compelling. As Kidman stated when she accepted a SAG Award (her first, at age 50) for her performance, Big Little Lies proves there’s an appetite for story-telling about women over the age of 40. “Twenty years ago, we were pretty washed up by this stage in our lives,” she said. “That’s not the case now. We have proven…and so many more are proving that we are potent and powerful and viable.”

The same can be said for Kidman’s ongoing involvement as a spokeswoman for Neutrogena, where she’s using her influence to shift conversations around aging from something that’s stigmatized to something that’s celebrated. We recently caught up with her at an event for the brand to chat beauty, BLL, and more.

How do you think the way we talk about beauty is changing?

I think we share a lot more. It’s not secretive, like, “I come out of the house and this is how I look [all put together],” like in the fifties or sixties. It’s very much now, “What do you use? What’s the latest? Oh my gosh, tell me!” and everyone shares, which is really helpful for women. I think it’s changing the way we see each other. We’re lucky now that we can age—and still age really well—but all be very open about it.

Speaking of aging, what’s your opinion on the term ‘anti-aging?’

As we get older we can still look good, be healthy and vibrant and appealing. I think that’s what every human being wants. Nobody wants to look like you’ve had the life sucked out of you. I just say it’s about gracefully aging—because it can be fun!

What influence has the movement to embrace aging had on Hollywood?

I’m in a position as an actress where I love the lines being blurred, because I get to play younger, I get to play older, and I get to play my age. Men always got to do that, and we’re in a position now for women where we’re trying to carve that path. It’s still hard to convince [casting agents and producers] to [let us] do that, but it’s a lot easier. I think other women are going, “No, I want to see women who I relate to, who I’ve grown up with, not just be discarded. I want to see them achieving things and still going strong.”

For me, I’ve been working since I was 14, so I have this crazy, intimate relationship with fans in a sense that they’ve seen my life, they’ve seen me fall, they’ve seen me get back up—they’ve seen me go through so much and still be here. That’s really exciting. And when Big Little Lies came out, the support from other women has been really nice. [Actresses my age] don’t just disappear, but we actually have opportunities to take chances. It makes me feel very grateful.

A lot of women are still afraid or ashamed to reveal their age. Is that something you’ve noticed?

I think it has to do with self-esteem, and also with bullying. [That’s why I’m glad] there’s this enormous move toward supporting each other. I think there’s a thing now where so many women are saying to each other, “I’ve got your back, girl.” When you know you’re supported like that, I think self-esteem and confidence grows, and the more we encourage that the better. We need to constantly be working on supporting rather than criticizing.

When you were discussing Celeste’s character in Big Little Lies, what beauty aspects were important to you to focus on?

Well, I use sunscreen because we’re shooting outdoors in Monterrey. I love the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer with 100+ SPF. And I use the Neutrogena Ivory Base Foundation, because I like Celeste to have that very pale, porcelain skin since she’s got a fragility. But I always approach each character differently, so I try to approach it from the inside out, and I don’t wear really heavy makeup. It’s just not who I am anyway.

I like being able to change the way I look with each character. Sometimes you use prosthetics to do that, and then you really need to take care of your skin, because they’re so harsh. I just did a role in a movie called The Destroyer [out in December 2018] where I age up, and then I age younger in the same movie. The prosthetics take two hours and you have to use harsh alcohol to take them off. They’re really tough on your skin. That’s why I’ll go home and use a mask, like Neutrogena’s HydroBoost, because when you put straight alcohol on your skin, it trashes it.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Related Stories:
–This Pic of Reese Witherspoon Hurling Ice Cream at Meryl Streep Is a Work of Art
–Read Every Word of Nicole Kidman’s SAG Awards Speech on Aging in Hollywood
–Nicole Kidman’s Golden Globes Speech Was All About the ‘Power of Women’



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Actress and Activist Nicole Maines Will Be TV's First Transgender Superhero


Nicole Maines made history as the plaintiff in Doe v. Clenchy, the Maine Supreme Court case that helped set a landmark precedent for allowing transgender people to use the bathroom that matched their gender identity. Now, the actress and activist is changing the game yet again: The CW just announced that she’ll join the cast of Supergirl as Nia Nal, a groundbreaking character who marks TV’s first trans superhero.

“I haven’t really wrapped my head around it,” Maines said in an interview with Variety earlier this week, adding, “I’m nervous because I want to do it right.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Nia Nal—a.k.a. Dreamer—is a “soulful young transgender woman with a fierce drive to protect others.” Dreamer is loosely based on the DC Comics character of Nura Nal, a superhero with the power of seeing people’s deaths in the future.

After the Maine Supreme Court ruled that her right to use the bathroom matching her gender identity had been violated under the state’s Human Rights Act, Maines went on to become the subject of the book Becoming Nicole by Amy Ellis Nutt, as well as one of the transgender people featured in the HBO documentary The Trans List. She also appeared on the USA Network show Royal Pains, in which she played a transgender teen.

Maines’ casting comes at a time in which many people have pointed out the lack of trans representation on screen. Actress Scarlett Johansson recently pulled out of the film Rub and Tug after facing backlash for being cast as a transgender man. Maines touched on the controversy with Variety and said that keeping Johansson in that role would have only furthered stereotypes about the transgender community.

“I think that cisgender actors don’t take roles out of malice—it’s just a failure to realize the context of having cisgender people play transgender characters,” she said. “We don’t see the same issue with sexuality; we see straight people play gay all the time. With trans folks we have a lot of people accusing us of just playing dress up for whatever reasons, and that’s just not true. Having trans people play trans roles show that we are valid in our identities and we exist.”

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Nicole Richie Recreated Her Early 2000s Looks, and It’s Too Good


I distinctly remember uncovering a brown Juicy velour hoodie in a South Carolina discount store 12 years ago and telling my sister to buy it because Nicole Richie had the same one. Those comfy, monochromatic confections were the pinnacle of capital S-Style between 2001 and 2006. If you wore one, you were practically just a Blackberry message away from scoring a guest spot on The Simple Life—which, let’s be real, was everyone’s dream back in 2003.

Richie was a Juicy velour trailblazer in many ways; she made it the must-have item of the early aughts. In fact, she—and Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, the Olsen twins, and Ashlee Simpson—defined that whole era of fashion. Big sunglasses, scarves-as-hats, maxi dresses: All those items harken back to a simpler time, when we lied about our ages on MySpace and Nickelback ruled the charts.

PHOTO: Getty Images

But sadly those days are long gone. Yes, early 2000s fashion is making a comeback, but it’ll never be the same. Never again will we see Lohan wear a bucket hat and talk about her feud with Hilary Duff. Or watch Hilton text on her Sidekick while wearing head-to-toe Von Dutch. Or see Richie drink a big Starbucks latte while rocking even bigger sunglasses.

Actually, we can see that last one. Richie teamed up with Paper magazine to recreate some of her most iconic 2000s looks, and the photos are so good that I feel compelled to sing “Stars Are Blind” to strangers on the street.

“Just as I was prepared to lock up the early 2000 Nicole & throw away the key, @papermagazine asked me to re-create some of my looks for the most fun photo shoot I’ve done in a long time,” Richie posted on Instagram, alongside some pics from the shoot. “I got to play with wigs, small dogs, and laughed for about 8 hours straight. So here she is, in all her glory… minus the Percocet. Love you! ??”

Seriously, I’m screaming. I’m crying. I’m attempting to sign back into my AIM account (DUDE ITS CDAWG 7—I was pretending to be straight). Check out the pics for yourself, below:

And here are the original lewks Richie and Paper seem to be referencing:

Perfect for a quick trip to Kitson, ya know?

PHOTO: Everett Collection

It looks perfect with a spray tan.

PHOTO: Everett Collection

Who needs pants?

PHOTO: Getty Images

Perfect for dancing around to “Yeah!” by Usher.

PHOTO: Getty Images

The White Witch is shook.

2005, you were a good year.

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Read Every Word of Nicole Kidman's 2018 SAG Awards Speech on Aging in Hollywood


Nicole Kidman has won many awards over her illustrious 35-year acting career, including an Oscar, two Emmys, and four Golden Globes (as well as being honored as a 2017 Glamour Woman of the Year)—but never a SAG Award, despite being nominated nine times since 2001. It appears that the tenth time was the charm, though, as Kidman picked up her very first Screen Actors Guild at the 2018 awards ceremony for her portrayal of domestic abuse survivor Celeste in HBO’s Big Little Lies—while fighting the flu and zero sleep, no less.

“I was working until 1 A.M.—which is a fantastic blessing—last night, but I have the flu and I’m playing a pretty out-there role right now, so I have had a little trouble shedding it,” Kidman said through tears as she accepted the award. “But I’m here and I’m incredibly grateful.”

And despite being ill and exhausted, Kidman still seized the opportunity to deliver a passionate and powerful speech, calling attention to the important shifts towards equality happening in Hollywood and imploring for change to continue. But while her Golden Globes acceptance speech focused more on standing up to abuse of any kind, Kidman used her SAG Awards speech to highlight equal opportunities for women, no matter their age.

“To receive this at this stage in my life is extraordinary,” Kidman said, referencing winning her first SAG Award at age 50. She continued on to cite numerous actresses who have inspired her throughout her career (including fellow nominees Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange). “I want to thank you all for your trailblazing performances you have given over your career, and how wonderful it is that our careers can go beyond 40 years old,” she said.

“Twenty years ago, we were pretty washed up by this stage in our lives,” Kidman added. “That’s not the case now. We have proven…and so many more are proving that we are potent and powerful and viable. I just beg that the industry stays behind us, because our stories are finally being told. It’s only the beginning, and I’m so proud to be a part of a community that is instigating this change.”

Read the speech in its entirety below:

“Oh, wow! Yikes! I’m crying. It means a lot to me. I have been working since I was 14 years old. Thank you, SAG AFTRA, for giving me something incredibly nervous. This is reality colliding with fantasy right now. I was working until 1:00 A.M—which is a fantastic blessing—last night, but I have the flu and I’m playing a pretty out there role character right now, so I have had a little trouble shedding it, but I’m here and I’m incredibly grateful.

To receive this at this stage in my life is extraordinary and at this time in the industry when these things are going on and for this role. I would like to acknowledge the other actresses in this category, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, my girlfriends, first and foremost, my beyond talented acting partners, I share this with you. And also I want to say Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange, I revere you, I watched you and I have learned from you and there are others, Meryl Streep, Jane Fonda, Judy Davis, Shirley Mcclain, Judi Dench, the list is so long.

I would like to say so many names, I can’t right now. I want to thank you all for your trail blazing performances you have given over your career and how wonderful it is that our careers today can go beyond 40 years old. Twenty years ago, we were pretty washed up by this stage in our lives, so that’s not the case now. We have proven and these actresses and so many more are proving that we are potent and powerful and viable. I just beg that the industry stays behind us because our stories are finally being told. It’s only the beginning and I’m so proud to be a part of a community that is instigating this change, but I applaud the writers, directors, and financiers behind our stories. We can continue to do this but only with the support of the industry and that money and passion. Also, I do have trail blazers in my life, Chris, Leslie, Katie, Miranda, lizzy, to my family, I’m nothing without you. Thank you to all of the actors that gave me the chance to say this.”

Related: Nicole Kidman’s Golden Globes Speech Was All About the ‘Power of Women’





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Nicole Kidman's Golden Globes Speech Was All About the 'Power of Women'


On Sunday, Nicole Kidman won a Golden Globes for Best Actress in a Limited Series for her performance in Big Little Lies, and fittingly, her acceptance speech was all about the power of women. While fighting back tears, the actress dedicated the award to her youngest two daughters, Sunny and Faith, before championing the actresses she’d worked with on the series.

“Thank you to HBO, Richard Plepler, for supporting and committing to us. When I say us, I’m talking about Reese Witherspoon and myself,” she said. “We did this because of our friendship, our creative union, and our support of each other. And I love you. Also, I want to say Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley and Zoë Kravitz, we sat at a table, we pledged allegiance to each other and commitment to each other and this is ours to share. Wow. The power of women.”

After thanking a long list of supporters, Kidman gave an especially powerful tribute to her mother, Janelle Kidman. “My mama was an advocate for the women’s movement when I was growing up, and because of her, I’m standing here,” she said. “My achievements are her achievements. Antonia Kidman, my sister, and I say thank you, Janelle Kidman, for what you fought for so hard.”

The actress continued by alluding to the anti-sexual harassment movement taking place not just in Hollywood, but many other industries as well, that was the topic of conversation on the red carpet Sunday night. In Big Little Lies she played the character of Celeste, who is trapped in an abusive marriage. “This character that I played represents something that is the center of our conversation right now: abuse,” she continued. “I do believe, and I hope, we can elicit change through the stories we tell and the way we tell them. Let’s keep the conversation alive. Let’s do it.”

Kidman concluded her speech with a shout-out to her husband, Keith Urban. “When my cheek is against yours, everything melts away,” she said to him. “And that is love. With that—it’s true. I love you so much. God bless you. Thank you.”

Like her Big Little Lies co-stars, Kidman wore black to attend the 2018 Golden Globes. Many actors and actresses donned black on Sunday in order to raise awareness about sexual harassment and assault, gender and racial inequality, and the #TimesUp movement. Along with her co-stars Zoe Kravitz and Reese Witherspoon, Kidman was one of 300 Hollywood women to sign an open letter introducing the #TimesUp movement, which raises awareness against workplace harassment and provides a legal defense fund for women in all industries.

Related: Nicole Kidman Got Subtly Political While Accepting Her Glamour Women of the Year Award





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