Dominique Jackson (model)

Dominique Brebner (born March 20, 1965) known professionally as Dominique Jackson and Tyra Allure Ross is a Trinidadian-American transgender actress, author, model, and reality television personality. As an actress, she is most known for her leading role of Elektra Abundance on the FX television series, Pose. As a model, she has appeared in Vogue España.

Early life

Dominique Jackson was born on March 20, 1965 in Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago. Although Jackson grew up with a grandmother that had "station," she still experienced a traumatic upbringing that included bullying and sexual abuse.[1] She fled to the United States at the age of eighteen due to not being accepted as transgender by her family.[2][3][4][5]

During her time in the United States, Jackson has experienced homelessness and turned to sex work and living off credit cards for survival.[6][7] It was in 1993, while living in Baltimore, Maryland, that Jackson was introduced to the ballroom scene. She then lived in various "houses" and eventually settled in the House of Sinclair which was stationed in New York City.[8]

Career

Modeling

So that she may develop the right opportunities, Jackson did most of her early modeling work for free. In 2009, she became a resident model for fashion designer Adrian Alicea and walked for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.[6] She has also modeled for Vogue España.

Film

Jackson has appeared in Call Me, Christopher Street: The Series, the documentary Visible: The LGBTQ Caribbean Diaspora and the Oxygen reality television series Strut (2016).[9] Her work on Strut earned her a GLAAD Media Award nomination.[10]

In 2018, Jackson began appearing in the leading role of Elektra Abundance on the FX series Pose, which is based on the ballroom subculture in New York City of the late 1980s. The series premiered on June 3, 2018, and attracted critical acclaim.[11][12] The first season boasted the largest cast of transgender actors ever for a scripted network series,[13] with over 50 transgender characters.[14] On July 12, 2018, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a second season, which is set to premiere sometime in 2019.[15]

Writing and community service

Jackson has been open about her mental health struggles. After a thirteen-year writing process, she released her autobiography The Transsexual from Tobago.[16][17] She has also worked for several nonprofit organizations (such as Destination Tomorrow in the Bronx) that provide outreach and services to the LGBTQ community.[1]

Personal life

Jackson is married to Al Jackson. They married at a courthouse after having been together for about 18 years, and held their wedding ceremony during an episode of Strut.[17]

She did not obtain her green card until 2015, nor underwent gender confirmation surgery until the same year.[7]

In 2018, while vacationing at a resort in Aruba, Jackson reported to the authorities that a man attempted to rape her.[18] She and husband Al were subsequently kicked out of the resort following the incident and the couple feared for their safety.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Christopher Street: The Series Health Specialist Film debut, TV movie
TBR Visible: The LGBTQ Caribbean Diaspora Herself Documentary

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2015 Call Me Nicolette Television debut, Unknown episodes
2016 Strut Herself 6 episodes
2018 Pose Elektra Abundance 8 episodes

Bibliography

  • The Transsexual from Tobago (Revised) (2014)

References

  1. 1 2 Auten, John Schneider and David. "How Trans Fashion Model Dominique Jackson Overcame Homelessness And A $10K Debt". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  2. ↑ "Dominique Jackson Talks about Abundance". Debt Free Guys. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  3. ↑ "Pose Dominique Jackson Talks Trans Health And Surgery". refinery29.com. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  4. ↑ "'My Trans Identity Shouldn't Affect Me,' Says Dominique Jackson On Not Being Cast, Health Care and Hate Crimes". Playbill. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  5. ↑ "Is The House of Abundance on 'Pose' Real? Elektra & Her Children Feel So Realistic". bustle.com. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  6. 1 2 "Tobago trans model Dominique Jackson makes history in FX series, Pose". www.looptt.com. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  7. 1 2 "Pose Star Dominique Jackson On Why Surgery Saved Her Life". Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  8. ↑ "Pose star Dominique Jackson talks ballroom realness". Time Out New York. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  9. ↑ Eileen Shapiro. "Dominique Jackson | Get Out! Magazine - NYC's Gay Magazine". getoutmag.com. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
  10. ↑ "DOMINIQUE JACKSON - Resume | MMG - Model Management Group". resumes.breakdownexpress.com. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  11. ↑ "Pose: Season 1 - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Pose: Season 1 - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  13. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (October 25, 2017). "FX's 'Pose': Ryan Murphy Sets Largest Transgender Cast Ever For Scripted Series". Deadline Hollywood. Los Angeles, California: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  14. ↑ "New Ryan Murphy Musical Dance Series POSE Gets Full Season Order". BroadwayWorld.com. December 27, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  15. ↑ Otterson, Joe (July 12, 2018). "'Pose' Renewed for Season 2 at FX". Variety. Los Angeles, California: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  16. ↑ Horne, Shontel. "Dominique Jackson". POPSUGAR Entertainment. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  17. 1 2 "Trans Model Dominique Jackson Talks Childhood, Career And Getting Married On TV". Oxygen Official Site. 2016-10-26. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  18. ↑ "Trans Actress and Pose Star Dominique Jackson Says a Man Tried to Rape Her While on Vacation in Aruba". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
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