Jamya Winfrey
'Pose' cast member, transgender actress and advocate
Jamya Winfrey (born September 26, 1990) is an American transgender actress, model, and media personality who has become an important voice for LGBTQ+ representation in entertainment. Winfrey grew up in New York and came out as transgender during her late twenties, pursuing a career in entertainment while advocating for greater visibility and acceptance of transgender individuals. She gained significant recognition for her role in the Emmy-winning series 'Pose' (2018-2021), created by Ryan Murphy, which told the stories of New York's ballroom culture and LGBTQ+ communities during the 1980s and 1990s. In this groundbreaking series, Winfrey worked alongside established actors and other transgender performers, contributing to one of television's most celebrated and inclusive casts. Beyond acting, she has appeared in music videos, television guest spots, and has been involved in various LGBTQ+ advocacy initiatives and discussions. Winfrey's public presence has helped normalize transgender identities in mainstream media and has provided visibility to communities that have historically been marginalized in entertainment. Her work on 'Pose' is considered a watershed moment for transgender representation on television, allowing her to influence conversations about inclusion, casting, and authenticity in Hollywood.
Entertainment
American
1990
Thinking about the name
Jamya
American origin
“A feminine or gender-neutral modern name adding the '-ya' suffix to 'Jam-,' creating a name with melodic, contemporary appeal. Jamya has become increasingly popular in African American communities as part of the trend toward creative, individualized names. The 'ya' ending provides a softer, more lyrical quality while maintaining strength.”