Juliana Joel on Disney Channel's First Trans Character: "I Claimed a Dream"
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"Raven's Home," the Disney Channel spin-off of Raven-Symoné's beloved "That's So Raven," made history by featuring a character named Nikki, the first openly trans character on the network in a live broadcast. In "The Fierce Awakens" episode, which aired July 8, actress Juliana Joel plays Nikki, Raven Baxter's assistant.
“Growing up in Florida (like many other kids) I dreamed of being on the Disney Channel, especially That's So Raven,” Joel wrote in an emotional Instagram post shared the day the show aired. 'episode. "Coming from a typical Puerto Rican family, I didn't think being an actor was possible, especially for someone like me, I thought you had to be born into this world. Fast forward to becoming an actor, so I got myself said I wasn't young enough to be on Disney and even if I was, I'm TRANS!"
"I had never seen a trans actor or character on Disney Channel. EVER. Needless to say, I cried in my dressing room after walking on that set for the first time," he said. she adds. "But it was really more than just being on the show. With all the hate and anti-trans narratives in the media and society, it was a win. I claimed a dream and a space for myself- even as much of the world tries to erase me and my community. And now I'm becoming the person I wish I'd seen on TV growing up."
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A post shared by JULIANA JOEL
Image source:
"Raven's Home," the Disney Channel spin-off of Raven-Symoné's beloved "That's So Raven," made history by featuring a character named Nikki, the first openly trans character on the network in a live broadcast. In "The Fierce Awakens" episode, which aired July 8, actress Juliana Joel plays Nikki, Raven Baxter's assistant.
“Growing up in Florida (like many other kids) I dreamed of being on the Disney Channel, especially That's So Raven,” Joel wrote in an emotional Instagram post shared the day the show aired. 'episode. "Coming from a typical Puerto Rican family, I didn't think being an actor was possible, especially for someone like me, I thought you had to be born into this world. Fast forward to becoming an actor, so I got myself said I wasn't young enough to be on Disney and even if I was, I'm TRANS!"
"I had never seen a trans actor or character on Disney Channel. EVER. Needless to say, I cried in my dressing room after walking on that set for the first time," he said. she adds. "But it was really more than just being on the show. With all the hate and anti-trans narratives in the media and society, it was a win. I claimed a dream and a space for myself- even as much of the world tries to erase me and my community. And now I'm becoming the person I wish I'd seen on TV growing up."
See this post on Instagram
A post shared by JULIANA JOEL
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