Story perspectives

Trans Designer Qween Jean Wins Tony for Cats Costumes

6/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Qween Jean became the first openly transgender Tony winner when she won Best Costume Design of a Musical for Cats: The Jellicle Ball at the June 7 2026 ceremony in New York’s Radio City Music Hall.
Cats: The Jellicle Ball received nine nominations and displayed 500 costumes honoring trans icons Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy.
Jean, a Haiti-born designer raised in Miami, founded Black Trans Liberation, feeding trans New Yorkers weekly.

History

Historical Context

In 2014, Laverne Cox earned an Emmy nomination for playing Sophia Burset on Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black, a series that earned 16 Emmy nominations and was first nominated in comedy and drama categories. In June 2026, costume designer Qween Jean won the Tony for Best Costume Design for Cats: The Jellicle Ball at Radio City Music Hall, marking institutional support for trans artists.

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Story summary

Qween Jean became the first openly transgender Tony winner when she won Best Costume Design of a Musical for Cats: The Jellicle Ball at the June 7 2026 ceremony in New York’s Radio City Music Hall.
Cats: The Jellicle Ball received nine nominations and displayed 500 costumes honoring trans icons Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy.
Jean, a Haiti-born designer raised in Miami, founded Black Trans Liberation, feeding trans New Yorkers weekly.

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