Model/actress Leyna Bloom is breaking glass ceilings at Cannes Film Festival.

Her role as romantic lead Wye in Port Authority has made Bloom the first transgender woman of color to lead a Cannes-premiering film.

Set in New York’s ballroom culture, Wye, a vogue dancer, catches the eye of Paul (Fionn Whitehead). According to our previous report, their relationship is tested when Paul discovers Wye is trans, causing him to “confront his desire for her and the deep-seated violence of those around him.” The film is backed by RT Features and Martin Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions. Not only is the film Bloom’s acting debut, but it is also Danielle Lessovitz’s directorial debut.

“What an honor to have my first feature film debut at @FestivaldeCannes,” she wrote on Instagram. “As a transwoman of color, I am so proud to represent my ballroom community and share our diverse queer beauty with the world!”

 

Congrats, Leyna!

 

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Photo: STEVEN FERDMAN/AFP/Getty Images