{{short description|American actress (born 1981)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}} {{infobox person | name = Trace Lysette | image = Trace Lysette at the premier for Hustlers (cropped).jpg | caption = Lysette at ''Hustlers'' premiere at the Toronto Film Festival 2019 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1981}} | birth_place = Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. | occupation = Actress | years_active = 2013–present }} '''Trace Lysette''' (born 1981) is an American actress whose most notable roles include Shea in the television series ''Transparent'' (2014–2019) and Tracey in the feature film ''Hustlers'' (2019). As a trans actress, she also featured in the Netflix documentary ''Disclosure'' as herself.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cordero|first=Rosy|date=September 16, 2021|title='Transparent' Actress Trace Lysette Signs With Anonymous Content|url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/transparent-actress-trace-lysette-anonymous-content-1234838218/|access-date=November 25, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Early life== Lysette was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and grew up in and around Dayton, Ohio.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=A very honest conversation with Transparent scene-stealer Trace Lysette|url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/09/22/trace-lysette-transparent-interview-season-four|access-date=November 25, 2021|website=The FADER|language=en}}</ref>
In her late teens, Lysette was a track athlete<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-31 |title=FilmDayton’s Small Role In Monica |url=https://www.filmdayton.com/filmdaytons-small-role-monica/ |access-date=2026-05-23 |website=FilmDayton |language=en-US}}</ref> and performed as a drag queen in bars and clubs in Dayton and Columbus, Ohio. She moved to New York City after high school in search of opportunities. Lysette was estranged from her biological family and struggled financially due to her gender transition, which led her to seek acceptance in the underground New York ball culture scene, of which she has been a member since young adulthood.
Lysette began training as an actor in New York City, studying at various acting studios starting in 2007. Her television debut was a guest appearance as Lila in an episode of ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' in 2013,<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 17, 2015|title=GLAAD chats with Trace Lysette, star of ''Transparent'' and ''Blunt Talk''|work=GLAAD|url=http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-chats-trace-lysette-star-transparent-and-blunt-talk|url-status=live|access-date=March 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401143948/http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-chats-trace-lysette-star-transparent-and-blunt-talk|archive-date=April 1, 2017}}</ref> making her one of the first transgender people to appear in a cisgender speaking role on primetime television in the US.
==Career== After working in non-transgender roles, Lysette came out publicly as trans through her role as Shea on the Amazon series ''Transparent'', which debuted in 2014. On the show, she plays a transgender yoga teacher and friend of Maura Pfefferman (Jeffrey Tambor).<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/transparents-trace-lysette-her-personal-connection-243242|title=Transparent's Trace Lysette on her personal connection to Shea's journey this season|date=September 29, 2016|access-date=March 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401143806/http://www.avclub.com/article/transparents-trace-lysette-her-personal-connection-243242|archive-date=April 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Lysette originally auditioned for the role of Davina.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/transparents-josh-shea-trace-lysette-934860|title='Transparent' Star on Josh and Shea's Groundbreaking Romance: "It's Just Boy Meets Girl"|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=March 31, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401055129/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/transparents-josh-shea-trace-lysette-934860|archive-date=April 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The third season of ''Transparent'' contains a storyline in which Shea has a romantic relationship with a cisgender heterosexual man, which has been called "a groundbreaking TV moment for a trans character."<ref name=":1" /> Lysette was an unpaid consultant for the 2015 film ''The Danish Girl''.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=December 31, 2021|title=Trace Lysette on There's Something About Miriam and its painful legacy|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/12/31/trace-lysette-something-about-miriam-harsh-reality/|access-date=January 10, 2022|website=PinkNews }}</ref>
Lysette made her major feature debut in 2019 starring alongside Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu among others in the critically acclaimed box office hit ''Hustlers.''
She has also appeared in guest roles in shows such as ''Blunt Talk'', ''David Makes Man'', ''Midnight, Texas'', ''Pose'' and ''Drunk History''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kellaway |first=Mitch |url=http://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2015/04/15/after-years-hiding-hollywood-trans-actress-trace-lysette-finally-liv |title=After Years of Hiding in Hollywood, Trans Actress Trace Lysette Is Finally 'Living Out Loud' |publisher=Advocate.com |date=April 15, 2015 |access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519064039/http://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2015/04/15/after-years-hiding-hollywood-trans-actress-trace-lysette-finally-liv |archive-date=May 19, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> She also made an appearance in Caitlyn Jenner's documentary series ''I Am Cait''. Additionally, she has appeared as a muse in several high-profile music videos for artists such as Maroon 5,<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 1, 2018|title=Here are all the inspirational women in Maroon 5's Girls Like You|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44329628|access-date=November 25, 2021}}</ref> Cher,<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 18, 2018|title=Cher drops all-woman music video for SOS featuring trans actress Trace Lysette|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/09/18/cher-sos-abba-cover-trace-lysette-video/|access-date=November 25, 2021|website=PinkNews }}</ref> Teyana Taylor,<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 24, 2019|title=13 Ballroom Notables Teyana Taylor Cast For Her "WTP" Video|url=https://www.out.com/music/2019/1/24/13-ballroom-notables-teyana-taylor-cast-her-wtp-video|access-date=November 25, 2021|website=www.out.com|language=en}}</ref> The Shins, and Laverne Cox.
In 2017, transgender actors and actresses including Lysette (with the help of GLAAD and ScreenCrush) were part of a filmed letter to Hollywood written by Jen Richards, asking for more and improved roles for transgender people.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/transgender-hollywood-video_n_594964b8e4b08709c82fe34c|title=New Video Breaks Down Why Hollywood Needs Transgender Actors|publisher=HuffPost|author=Curtis M. Wong|date=June 20, 2017 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623210638/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/transgender-hollywood-video_us_594964b8e4b08709c82fe34c |archive-date=June 23, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Daniel |url=https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2017/6/20/trans-actors-ask-hollywood-roles-dignity-and-depth-open-letter |title=Trans Actors Ask Hollywood for Roles With Dignity and Depth in Open Letter |publisher=Advocate.com |date= June 20, 2017|access-date=June 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620210526/https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2017/6/20/trans-actors-ask-hollywood-roles-dignity-and-depth-open-letter |archive-date=June 20, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In June 2020, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ Pride parade, ''Queerty'' named her among the fifty heroes "leading the nation toward equality, acceptance, and dignity for all people".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Queerty Pride50 2020 Honorees|url=https://www.queerty.com/pride50/|access-date=June 30, 2020|website=Queerty|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Reddish|first=David|date=June 1, 2020|title=Meet the world-class performers who are diversifying LGBTQ representation|url=https://www.queerty.com/top-entertainment-performers-year-20200601|access-date=July 28, 2020|website=Queerty}}</ref> An article published in July 2020 by ''Variety'' revealed that Lysette had signed on as an Executive Producer of ''Trans in Trumpland'', a documentary series about being transgender in the Trump Administration era.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Malkin|first=Marc|date=July 28, 2020|title=Trace Lysette to Produce New Docuseries 'Trans in Trumpland' (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/trace-lysette-to-produce-new-docuseries-trans-in-trumpland-exclusive-1234718890/|access-date=August 4, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref>
In 2021, Lysette released her first single, "SMB", which she described as a hip hop track.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Feeney|first=Nolan|date=February 19, 2021|title=Trace Lysette on Debut Rap Single 'SMB': 'I Needed Another Outlet for My Artistry'|url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/politics/trace-lysette-smb-interview-hip-hop-9528392/|access-date=November 25, 2021|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US}}</ref> She also featured on Cazwell's single, "Taser in My Telfar Bag," with Chanel Jole.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trans Rappers Team Up for Blazing 'Taser in My Telfar Bag' Single|url=https://news.yahoo.com/trans-rappers-team-blazing-taser-203137211.html|access-date=December 1, 2021|website=news.yahoo.com|date=November 12, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> She hosted ''Harsh Reality: The Story of Miriam Rivera'', a podcast re-examining the 2004 dating show, ''There's Something About Miriam''. The first episode of the eight episode series was released on iTunes on November 29, 2021.<ref name=":4" />
Lysette played the title character in the film ''Monica'', completed in 2022 and released in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title='Transparent' Star Trace Lysette And Patricia Clarkson Play an Estranged Daughter and Mother Who Connect in 'Monica' – Watch U.S. Trailer (EXCLUSIVE) |date=March 23, 2023 |website=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511223450/https://variety.com/2023/film/global/transparent-star-trace-lysette-patricia-clarckson-daughter-mother-monica-1235562327/ |archive-date=May 11, 2023 |url-status=live |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/global/transparent-star-trace-lysette-patricia-clarckson-daughter-mother-monica-1235562327/}}</ref> She was nominated for a Best Lead Performance Independent Spirit Award for her role. <ref>{{cite web |title='2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations: See the full list |date=Dec 4, 2023 |website=EW |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207072024/https://ew.com/2024-film-independent-spirit-award-nominations-full-list-8410735/ |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |url-status=live |url=https://ew.com/2024-film-independent-spirit-award-nominations-full-list-8410735/}}</ref>
== Personal life == Lysette has spoken at various events and colleges across the country, including Women’s March Las Vegas, and Out & Equal in Philadelphia, about her experiences in hopes of highlighting the injustices that members of the trans community face. In 2017, she recorded an online PSA with Trevor Project dedicated to suicide prevention awareness for LGBTQ youth.{{cn|date=July 2025}}
In 2018, Lysette commented on Twitter about actress Scarlett Johansson's decision to accept the role of a transgender man Dante "Tex" Gill in crime drama ''Rub & Tug'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/07/trace-lysette-jamie-clayton-slam-hollywood-scarlett-johannson-transgender-role-1201981108|title=Trans Actresses Trace Lysette and Jamie Clayton Slam Hollywood After Scarlett Johansson Cast in Transgender Role|date=July 4, 2018|work=Indiewire}}</ref> stating that opportunities for trans actors were already so limited. Johansson eventually withdrew from the role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.salon.com/2018/07/18/do-not-let-scarlett-johansson-dropping-out-kill-hollywoods-first-trans-studio-film-opinion_partner/|title=Don't let Scarlett Johansson dropping out kill Hollywood's first trans studio film — Opinion|date=July 18, 2018|work=Salon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/scarlett-johansson-trans-gender-dante-tex-gill-rub-and-tug-movie-a8446581.html|title=Scarlett Johansson drops out of transgender role after widespread criticism|publisher=Independent|date=July 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/scarlett-johansson-dante-tex-gill-cousin-barry-paris-rub-tug/|title=Scarlett Johansson 'Rub & Tug' Debate Would Make Dante 'Tex' Gill Laugh|date=July 12, 2018|publisher=TheWrap}}</ref>
Although Lysette was estranged from her family for a period of time when she transitioned, her mother later became supportive.<ref name=":2" />
Lysette started her gender transition as a teenager.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= After Years of Hiding in Hollywood, Trans Actress Trace Lysette Is Finally 'Living Out Loud' |magazine=The Advocate |date=2013-04-15 |url=https://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2015/04/15/after-years-hiding-hollywood-trans-actress-trace-lysette-finally-liv |access-date=2024-03-14}}</ref>
In 2017, Lysette claimed that she had experienced sexual harassment from her ''Transparent'' co-star Jeffrey Tambor, a week after Tambor's former assistant Van Barnes made similar allegations. Two more women, Rain Valdez and Tamara Delbridge, followed with allegations too.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Patten|first=Dominic|date=November 17, 2017|title=Jeffrey Tambor Accused By 'Transparent' Actress Of Sexual Harassment; Actor Admits "Flaws," Says "Misinterpreted"|url=https://deadline.com/2017/11/jeffrey-tambor-sexual-harassment-claims-trace-lysette-transparent-actress-amazon-1202210145/|access-date=November 25, 2021|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Sharf|first=Zack|date=November 17, 2017|title=Jeffrey Tambor Accused of Sexual Harassment on 'Transparent' Set By Actress Trace Lysette|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/11/jeffrey-tambor-accused-sexual-harassment-trace-lysette-transparent-1201898455/|access-date=November 25, 2021|website=IndieWire|language=en}}</ref> In response, Tambor issued a statement denying the allegations of all the accusers.<ref name=":3" /> Showrunner Joey Soloway published a statement expressing "great respect and admiration for Van Barnes and Trace Lysette, whose courage in speaking out about their experience on ''Transparent'' is an example of the leadership this moment in our culture requires."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Abramovitch|first=Seth|date=May 7, 2018|title="Lines Got Blurred": Jeffrey Tambor and an Up-Close Look at Harassment Claims on 'Transparent'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/lines-got-blurred-jeffrey-tambor-an-up-close-look-at-harassment-claims-transparent-1108939/|access-date=December 1, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2018, after an extensive internal investigation by Amazon, the show's producers confirmed that Tambor would not be returning to the show.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 10, 2019|title=Hustlers star Trace Lysette reveals the struggle that came after Transparent harassment claims|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/10/10/trace-lysette-hustlers-transparent/|access-date=November 25, 2021|website=PinkNews }}</ref>
==Filmography==
===Film=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2016 | ''Coffee House Chronicles: The Movie'' | Rachel | |- | 2017 | ''Deadbeat'' | Ryan's Wife | Short film |- | 2019 | ''Hustlers'' | Tracey | |- | 2020 | ''Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen'' | Herself | Documentary film |- | 2021 | ''Venus as a Boy'' | Hendrix | |- | 2022 | ''Monica'' | Monica | |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2013 | ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' | Lila | Episode: "Internal Affairs" |- | 2015 | ''The Curse of the Fuentes Women'' | Gloria | Television film |- | 2014–2019 | ''Transparent'' | Shea | 12 episodes |- | 2015 | ''I Am Cait'' | Herself | 3 episodes |- | 2015–2016 | ''Blunt Talk'' | Gisele | 4 episodes |- | 2016–2019 | ''Drunk History'' | Sylvia Rivera / Elizabeth Eden | 2 episodes |- | 2017 | ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' | Herself | Episode: "Grand Finale" |- | 2018–2019 | ''Pose'' | Tess Wintour | 2 episodes |- | 2018 | ''Midnight, Texas'' | Celeste | Episode: "Drown the Sadness in Chardonnay" |- | 2019 | ''David Makes Man'' | Femi | Episode: "Dai Out" |- | 2021 | ''Q-Force'' | Toluca Lake (voice) | 2 episodes |- | 2023 | ''Quantum Leap'' | Kate | Episode: "Let Them Play" |- |}
===Web=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2016 | ''Coffee House Chronicles'' | Rachel | Episode: "Tran-sitions" |- |}
==Music videos==
===As lead artist=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Director(s) ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | rowspan="2"| 2021 | "SMB" | Trace Lysette<br>Johnny Sibilly | |- | "Taser in My Telfar Bag" {{small|(with Cazwell and Chanel Jole)}} | Ariel Hernandez | |- |}
===Guest appearances=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Artist(s) ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- |- | 2017 | "Name for You" {{small|(Flipped)}} | The Shins | |- | rowspan="3"| 2018 | "Girls Like You" {{small|(Original, Volume 2 and Vertical Video versions)}} | Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/maroon-5-cardi-bs-girls-like-you-video-is-a-star-studded-dance-party_n_5b0ffa74e4b0fcd6a8345208|title=Maroon 5, Cardi B's 'Girls Like You' Video Is a Star-Studded Dance Party|last=Amatulli |first=Jenna|website=HuffPost|date=May 31, 2018|access-date=June 22, 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531173702/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/maroon-5-cardi-bs-girls-like-you-video-is-a-star-studded-dance-party_us_5b0ffa74e4b0fcd6a8345208|archivedate=May 31, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/maroon-5-alternate-version-girls-like-you-music-video-8480249/|title=Maroon 5 Releases New Version of 'Girls Like You' Music Video: Watch|last=Glicksman|first=Josh|magazine=Billboard|date=October 16, 2018|access-date=December 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103161839/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8480249/maroon-5-alternate-version-girls-like-you-music-video|archive-date=November 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/show/1Lu17oqo8Evy8AzqPKjzLY|title=Maroon 5 – Girls Like You (Vertical Video) featuring Cardi B|website=Spotify|access-date=December 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219043921/https://open.spotify.com/show/1Lu17oqo8Evy8AzqPKjzLY|archive-date=December 19, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | "Beat for the Gods" | Laverne Cox | <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.papermag.com/teyana-taylor-wtp-video-2626914687.html|title=WATCH: Laverne Cox just took things to a new level with her debut single and video|work=Channel 24|date=February 26, 2018|access-date=June 29, 2019}}</ref> |- | "SOS" | Cher | |- | 2019 | "WTP" | Teyana Taylor | <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.papermag.com/teyana-taylor-wtp-video-2626914687.html|title=Teyana Taylor Is a Voguing Cinderella in 'WTP'|date=January 24, 2019|website=PAPER|language=en|access-date=January 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124205239/http://www.papermag.com/teyana-taylor-wtp-video-2626914687.html|archive-date=January 24, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |}
==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" ! scope="col" Width=24%| Award ! scope="col" Width=4%| Year ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" Width=24%| Work ! scope="col" style="width:8%;"| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |- ! scope="row" | GLAAD Media Award | style="text-align:center;" | 2022 | Outstanding TV Journalism – Long-Form | ''Trans in Trumpland'' | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://glaad.org/33/nominees/|title=The Nominees for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards|date=September 15, 2021 |accessdate=December 5, 2023}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | Independent Spirit Awards | style="text-align:center;" | 2023 | Best Lead Performance | ''Monica'' | {{Nominated}} | style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/indie-spirit-awards-2024-nominations-film-tv-1235820700/|title=Spirit Awards 2024 Nominations List|author=Brent Lang, Jordan Moreau—''Variety''|date=December 5, 2023 |accessdate=December 5, 2023}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | Dorian Awards | style="text-align:center;" | 2024 | Film Performance of the Year | ''Monica'' | {{Nominated}} | style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2024-dorian-film-awards-winners-all-of-us-strangers-1235835491/|title=Dorian Film Awards: 'All of Us Strangers' Sweeps Queer Film Critic Honors|author=Tyler Coates, ''The Hollywood Reporter''|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 26, 2024|accessdate=March 30, 2024}}</ref> |- |}
{{Commons category}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|6006903}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lysette, Trace}} Category:Living people Category:LGBTQ people from Ohio Category:21st-century American actresses Category:Actresses from Dayton, Ohio Category:Actresses from Columbus, Ohio Category:American television actresses Category:American transgender actresses Category:American LGBTQ rappers Category:LGBTQ people from Kentucky Category:Actresses from Lexington, Kentucky Category:Transgender rappers Category:1987 births Category:Transgender women singers Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people Category:American LGBTQ women singers