These are excerpts from the conversation. Asia Kate Dillon wandered into a coffee shop near Brooklyn's Prospect Park looking like a fallen angel taking a personal day: Black shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, black liner circling. But then I went to an alternative high school where you played whatever part they thought you were the best for. Particularly as someone who might not necessarily align with who their child is. Sun: How intentional I mean, its probably safe to assume that Looney Tunes, Chuck Jones and those creators werent necessarily conscious or fully cognizant of that but these latter-day animators, this current generation you mentioned Adventure Time. Theres also a storyline involving a character, Gael. The balance is too far on one side for now. And I know that because thats been reflected to me by people who have reached out to me on social media or come up to me on the street. (Laughs.) As I've lived as an openly trans person with the people I love most for many years, I did always wonder when I'd come out publicly. And they are a musician; many of the most famous non-binary celebrities coincidentally happen to be more musicians rather than actors, like Sam Smith, and I think Janelle Mone has identified as non-binary or gender nonconforming. I had to learn who I was. Asia Kate Dillon was born on November 15, 1984 in Ithaca, New York, USA. And also that a car, which is an inanimate object, would need to have a gender explicitly. Before we get to our final two questions, I definitely wanted to make sure that we get to talking a little bit about your advocacy in the campaign to eliminate gendered award categories. They spend a lot of times being the butts of jokes. I almost feel like as a cisgender person in other words, somebody who identifies as the gender they were assigned at birth, if Im defining that correctly it has been in some ways easier for me to understand a transgender person who still exists along the gender binary. I think thats honestly one of the most radical things about Ted Lasso. White: Absolutely. Sun: Im glad you mentioned that. That doesnt mean you should assume that persons gender identity. There are certainly a lot of errors. Theres a sweet, beautiful song. I am actually glad that people try. Sun: It unfortunately is. Episode 24: Asia Kate Dillon Beyond the Binary, Intro music: Jaunty, upbeat chords interspersed with the sound of a DJ scratching a record back and forth on a turntable. And I said, We have a real opportunity here, Im a nonbinary actor, theres no reason that this character has to be a non-trans person, lets make them nonbinary. All pronouns were taken out of the script to add a little more mystery. And so there were roles for cisgender actors to snag, and because they were treated like characters instead of people, trans actors were not considered and culturally, societally, they werent even allowed to be trans. ", "There was a physical identity of what people perceived as 'boy,' but that's not how I was feeling inside. Especially just being exposed to online discourse, anybody whos online for a certain period of time starts to have a detector for that type of thing. Im adapting from that. I combed through this in the first half of this podcast with one of my colleagues who is non-binary, and theres not a long history. They are known for playing Brandy Epps in Orange Is the New Black (2013) and Taylor Mason in Billions (2016). I think Pat was a joke. 2.1 0. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories. From award-winning writing and photography to binge-ready videos to electric live events, GQ meets millions of modern men where they live, creating the moments that create conversations. Catch up on all the episodes of Hollywood Remixed, including last weeks conversation about Asian masculinity and the martial arts trope with Shang-Chi star Simu Liu, and subscribe to the show on the podcast platform of your choice to be alerted when new episodes drop. Its definitely happening and happening more and more often, and I think thats a really big win. Non-binary. They changed it, because why not? Asia Kate Dillon on Being Non-Binary Slaven Vlasic/Getty "Non-binary is a term used by some people, myself included, who experience their gender identity as falling somewhere outside the. You have played female characters in the past, such as Brandy on Orange is the New Black, and any concerns about whether or not that runs the risk of reinforcing a gender binary? How challenging was it for you to play Brandy, the pretty scary white supremacist skinhead character on Orange Is the New Black? Sun: I think it was incredibly thoughtful. It was surprising to me that nobody in the Billions universe has really struggled with or had trouble respecting Taylors gender identity. Sun: I cribbed that from ah, which scholar coined the invisibility of whiteness? Dillon, who gave eye-catching performances as Lucifer off-off-Broadway and as a white supremacist on Orange Is the New Black, broke out as Taylor Mason, a nonbinary hedge fund wunderkind on the Showtime series Billions., Hello, Im Taylor, the character says when first meeting the funds boss, Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis). Billions happened to come out after I had just finished filming season 4 of Orange and I just missed the moment. "I hit a rock in my journey in 2017 when I thought I wasn't transgender because I thought that people were pushing me to be transgender. And frankly, that is one of the reasons that I really wanted to play the part, not only as an actor getting to play a character who is integral to the storyline, but a non-binary character who is integral to the storyline is extraordinarily important because then that characters story isnt just maybe a one- or two-episode arc. You unleash a fury of vile and demeaning rage that lands on the shoulders of the trans community, a community in which 40% of trans adults report attempting suicide. Still, recurrent explaining is not something they mind one bit. One is unintentional. So I dont have the honest answers. Wayfair Huge Deal-A-Thon - Up to 60% off everything! That would mean that those characters are continuing to be written and that they are continuing to be integral to whatever story theyre a part of. Theres people made out of candy and lemons. Everyone has a gender identity, actually. Nothing has come my way where Im like, God, that feels really awful. And that may just be because I havent seen it, like someone might call or write into your podcast and be like, Well, you have to watch this because it exists and its awful. And then I will, and Ill be like, Oh God, that is pretty terrible.. But Taylor is not drinking Red Bull. And having seen the first two movies, I just said yes, before I even read the script. Its a big part of what Dillon brought to the second season of Billionsthe rare show that actually got better in the second installment, thanks in large part to Dillons expectation-shattering turn as Taylor, the hotshot hedge fund star who bears little surface resemblance to any hedge fund hotshot whos come before. Its basically about a boy and his talking dog who go into this Land of Ooo. Business Insider spoke to Asia Kate Dillon, who plays fan-favorite Taylor Mason, about gender identity, fan reactions, and the star's artistic ambitions including a music EP. And I think that that even what you shared is emblematic of the fact that theres an evolving understanding and hopefully, like you said, in the future when it becomes more normalized, then the non-assumption will be normalized because I noticed that oftentimes the burden is specifically on non-binary people to offer their pronouns. It isnt just about abolishing the categories. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Asia Kate Dillon was born on November 15, 1984 in Ithaca, New York, USA. This is who I am. "Loving myself is a practice. Its really about white characters getting through the door first. And then after you get a few more representations, you start to see depictions of people of color and other intersectional portrayals. All of it to me is a great example of how it could go. I think that thats one of those things where when you are describing it to that extent, I think it indicates that youre really thinking about the intention of why youre taking on something and or why youre not. Its imperfect, but I think some of those flaws are intentional because its not just about the non-binary character. But I think about Bugs Bunny. And if every character I played from now until I die onscreen or on the stage was non-binary, that would be awesome. At . This is something that youve been speaking about for several years. Dillon: Thank you again for asking about it and letting me talk about it. Sun: Yeah, it does. I wasnt watching TV at that time, but when I got the audition I was like oh, I have to binge watch the whole thing. With her . I can release she/her pronouns, I can use they/them. I dont know, Abbey, if that is way too old of a reference for you, but I was reading back through the commentary at the time Roddenberry meant it as a LGBT allegory to criticize conversion therapy and forcing somebody to be something that they dont naturally feel. And also getting more creators who are non-binary. There was no pathway; it was more or less trying to figure it out. The things that I've had to do medically to my body don't define me. Im just here to dole out punishment and go on with my day.. I went in, met with Chad [the John Wick director Chad Stahelski]. And so I think that this storyline on Good Trouble about Gael deciding that hes not going to decide for his baby is really relevant and also really refreshing. Find Asia kate dillon stock photos in HD and millions of other editorial images in the Shutterstock collection. And there can be trans people who are very succinct and clear about what their gender is, and that can be very different than non-binary folks. Giving other people time is important. "I feel overwhelming gratitude for the incredible people who have supported me along this journey. Like, why am I a man? I understand because so much of our world is basically coded through this very firm gender binary. ", "Part of my public work is talking about my life experiences and what I've gone through. I feel lucky to be writing this. I remember Danny Strongs character, Todd Krakow, making some snide remarks while he lost to you at the poker tournament. That also means that we can put you in dramas and comedies. Last Call with Carson Daly (2002-2019) Actress Abigail Spencer ( The Sweet Life (2016) and Timeless (2016)); actress Asia Kate Dillon ( Billions (2016)); band Partybaby perform. Its not a perfect circle; theres animation thats not for kids and theres obviously kids content thats live-action. The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003-2023) Jane Fonda ( Grace and Frankie (2015)); Asia Kate Dillon ( Billions (2016)); guest DJ Stephen Boss. And then people respond. And perhaps in that instance, for whatever reason, that actor didnt have the agency to influence ultimately what the story was. So it wasnt really a thing that had to get sorted right away. So Ive learned to bring food, especially when I know its going to be a long day. And I think that were kind of hitting the tip of the iceberg of what was almost verging on a very metaphysical discussion about the separation between body and soul and things like that. "Billions" and "Orange Is the New Black" star Asia Kate Dillon sat down with Ellen to discuss paving the way as one of TV's first non-binary gender identifyi. Lets talk a little bit about definitions so that all of us can understand the parameters of what well be talking about today. The last big concept I wanted to talk about was this difference between characters and actors. But the thing about non-binary identity is that you know that youre neither of those. Dillon is also the founder and the producing director of MIRROR/FIRE Productions. And based off of that response, we get a new crop of representation and each new step opens another door and we get closer to this thing that I think we all want, which is just a diversity of representation. With Star Trek, just so people know when you talked about the first official representation of a non-binary character, that is Star Trek: Discovery, and that was just this past third season, an actor named Blu Del Barrio, who I believe is non-binary themselves, plays a character who is explicitly identified as non-binary. I think Taylor knows who they are and knows what their talents are. This week well be learning about non-binary gender identity and exploring how film and TV represent characters that are neither exclusively male nor female. I think theres another one that comes up a lot in this subject, which is Steven Universe, created by Rebecca Sugar. And so for that not to be part of Taylors story on the show, to not have that special trope episode, its like, Thank goodness. And thats what the term non-binary is about: Its more like a sphere that you can walk into, and it exists fluidly. But its through the media. No. Were still getting very specific visions of what it means to be non-binary, and where that person can be situated in a narrative. Which is why they were the perfect muse for a mix of non-binary summer fashion. Updated: November 29, 2021 And sometimes youre just at the last door, which sounds terrible. Sun: Thats great. I can't begin to express how remarkable it feels to finally love who I am enough to pursue my authentic self. The other may be unintentional, but it definitely resonated with me, particularly due to the animation style. Were all ignorant of what were ignorant of until were not. "Hi friends, I want to share with you that I am trans, my pronouns are he/they and my name is Elliot. I loved the idea of playing another version of what nonbinary looks like, which is high femme, very decorative. They dont ascribe to human gender identity. And in that same space of the bearded woman, there is a gender nonconformity there, right? In this weeks episode of Hollywood Remixed, The Hollywood Reporters podcast about inclusion and representation in entertainment, Billions Asia Kate Dillon joins the show to talk about how non-binary representation changes lives starting with their own. Thats a conversation about racism, and it feels weird, right? We want it to look hot. Dillon is competing for an Emmy as Supporting Actor. Asia Kate Dillon (born November 15, 1984) [1] is an American actor, best known for their roles as Brandy Epps in Orange Is the New Black and Taylor Mason in Billions. One of the reasons why those of us who work in this whole inclusion entertainment space, why we care about this, is because there is a validation and an acknowledgement that such a thing exists and deserves to be talked about or heard when its represented in entertainment and media. Lindsay very firmly knows who they are. Transition music: A short segment from the intro theme. While there are characters and storylines in Star Trek that have always been about this exploration of gender non-conformity, I would say that it isnt really until more recently also as language has evolved and weve really solidified our concept of non-binary as a word to describe people it really isnt until the later works, Discovery, that weve had explicitly crafted non-binary characters. And I think thats part of the larger history around non-binary representation in film and television. Dillon is non-binary and uses singular they pronouns. Sun: And that really does emerge in so many different topics when weve been talking about inclusion is that these are sandboxes that are in some ways to use this overworn phrase in a genuine way a safe space to be able to explore some of these stories or identities that mainstream culture wasnt ready for yet. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. Gender nonconformity has traditionally been a means of exploring horror narratives. My pronouns are they, theirs and them.. I think there are a lot of valid criticisms of that character and what it laid the groundwork for and how it embodied a lot of harmful treatment of gender and non-binary identities in Hollywood. And it was incredibly freeing and ultimately, I felt like there was nothing to hide behind. White: Its definitely interesting when you start to think about how aggressively gendered our culture is. I think about the characters in Danger & Eggs, which was an Amazon series; Craig of the Creek, which has I think one of the highest numbers of non-binary characters outside of Steven Universe, which just blows everybody away because every gem in that is non-binary. It's just a feeling. I think about Billions, I think about Vida. And I think you can kind of sniff that out. The Carson Kolker Organization manages Asia Kate Dillon. Art is so valuable that I think its misuse is really dangerous. And you will frankly eliminate the likelihood that you have a non-binary character that Im going to go, God, you really need to do that over because that was bad.. Its a challenge and I love a challenge. Sun: It does. My pronouns are they/them. Check it out. It wasn't the time for me to come out back then. The statistics are staggering. Im remembering one of the earliest interviews you gave, I think it was on the Ellen show where you delineated the difference between the physiology of our bodies and I think what you called gender identity being what is between the ears. Something that is more about I dont want to put words in your mouth but I think more about a consciousness, it seems, rather than a biological expression? Like when that happens, we dont see Taylor being cut down by that, it just reveals that the person whos doing it is horrible. In 2017 and again, if you Google this, Im basically quoting but thats okay. They are on Hacks and they just received an Emmy nomination for the show and has come out as non-binary. Dillon: When Im engaging in a conversation with someone who is really wanting to expand their own sense of what gender is and can be, and someone who is approaching that conversation with love and an open heart and with vulnerability, then I am totally happy to engage in a conversation with that person about my personal experience of my gender identity. Theres still not enough, so lets keep going. Prior to encountering the character breakdown for Taylor, I had been experimenting with removing she/her pronouns from online bio materials and just using my name, but frankly, the only trans people that I had been aware of prior to encountering Taylor had undergone some sort of either medical or physical change, whether it was taking hormones or some kind of surgery so that they could live fully as themselves in their identity. I would say there are certainly more non-binary characters being written, and there are more non-binary actors being cast in those roles. And doing it purposefully to try and disrespect Taylor, which is so clear because the writing is brilliant in it and the actors who do that are brilliant. Will breakdowns look less binary? (Laughs.). Theres another genre in which this sort of gender play is more frequently seen than other genres, and thats science fiction/fantasy. It sounds so parochial, the Masons.. Asia Kate Dillon appeared on the silver screen alongside Keanu Reeves in "John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum." In an interview with Insider, the actor revealed how they advocated to bring a bit of their own identity to their role as the Adjudicator in "John Wick."
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