The Bold and the Beautiful actress Karla Cheatham Mosley, known for her role as Maya Forrester, chats to us about playing a transgender character in the American soapie.
I grew up in Westchester, just outside New York City. My mother took me to my first Broadway show Starlight Express when I was about six or seven years old. Everyone was roller-skating, singing and dancing. After that experience, I knew that I wanted to be a performer. Though I was a shy child, I found my voice through acting and writing.
Being on The Bold and the Beautiful has been wonderful. I enjoy working with veteran and skilled actors. I’ve also had the opportunity to sing and write on the show.
I am excited to portray a transgender character. At first, I believed that the story should be told by a transgender actor. But I realised that the fact that people knew Maya for a couple of years before her sexuality was revealed, worked in my favour. It enabled the audience to get past their prejudices. I am also glad that transgender actors are now being given the chance to tell their own stories in Hollywood.
Playing the role of Maya has taught me to be myself. Maya’s story is about her believing that she could openly be herself and still receive love. That hit me personally in a deep way. I also now believe that people around me would accept me and love me the way I am.
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It’s important to tell stories about transgender people. I think that being able to see ourselves being represented on television helps us to realize that we’re not alone. Plus, having a diversity of cultures on our screens increases our compassion and understanding for others.
I am excited for the audience to see an exploration of married life through my character. It’s great to show the ups and downs of marriage. I love that Maya and Rick are one of the couples that have stood the test of time, and now have a family.
