Rebecca Romijn Opens Up About Playing Trans Character in ‘Ugly Betty’: “Never Would Be Cast in That Role Today”

Long before Michaela Jaé Rodriguez became the first openly trans actor to win a Golden Globe for her role in Pose, supermodel-turned-actor Rebecca Romijn played Alexis Meade in Ugly Betty — the show’s villain who faked her own death to undergo gender-affirming surgery.

While speaking to The Independent, Romijn reflected on her time portraying a transgender character in the 2006 dramedy. According to the star, ABC executives weren’t necessarily on board with the plot twist when it was first presented to them.

“The executives at the time didn’t love the idea of the character,” Romijn recalled. “There was a real boys’ club running the show behind the scenes at that point. So to try and make it palatable to the boys’ club … they pitched me. And I jumped at the chance.”

With trans representation becoming more visible, the star realized that she, a cisgender woman, “never would be cast in that role today.” Despite this, she feels as though her character “helped open the door” for the trans community.

“I’d like to think that, anyway,” she added. “I don’t want to pat myself on the back too much.”

At the end of the day, Romijn wanted nothing more than to do Alexis “justice — and make her as hot as possible.” But if the opportunity to reprise her role in a potential reboot ever came knocking, she no longer thinks she should be the one to portray the blonde bombshell.

“I do think Alexis should be cast with a trans actress,” she said. “That would be the correct thing to do.”

Ugly Betty ran for four seasons between 2006 and 2010. It starred America Ferrera as Betty Suarez, a hardworking and savvy woman who, despite her lackluster style, lands a job at a fashion magazine run by Daniel Meade. Meanwhile, Daniel’s brother Alex Meade, who is presumed dead by the public, emerges as Alexis Meade — the previously bandaged villain who plots to take over the company.

Ugly Betty is currently streaming on Hulu.