This summer he appeared on Pose, FX’s drama-series chronicling the 1980s New York City ballroom scene of trans and queer Black and Latinx youth. During New York Fashion Week, he was one of 34 models to walk the runway during the first all-transgender model show. And in October he debuted his first music video.

Laith Ashley De La Cruz is determined to leave his mark on every corner of the entertainment industry, and singing in particular is one of his main passions. Earlier this year when we began negotiations for him to emcee the Mighty Real event, it was Laith’s idea to also perform. (We love a person who knows what they want and isn’t afraid to ask for it.) 

Gushing with excitement around his new music, the 28-year-old calls us from his home in Los Angeles. After a bit of chatting, he offers a live sample of an unreleased break-up song called “Break Free.” My heart is aching / It hasn’t said goodbye to you / My soul’s been shaking and I don’t know what to do / How will I get past this? I can’t live without you. 

“I can’t wait to record that one.” Laith’s enthusiasm is palpable. He wants the next step in his music career to be an album or EP, but with such a demanding schedule, he says, finding time to get into the recording studio is challenging. “Every time I think I have a moment, it’s like, ‘No, you have to fly out or speak at an event.’ I want to give [my music] priority, hopefully in the beginning of 2019.” 

And just when he thinks things are slowing down, a gig is booked by his manager: He’s leaving for New York the following morning. 

It’s likely Laith hasn’t even had time to unpack from New York Fashion Week, where he had just participated in a groundbreakingly inclusive and exclusive fashion show. An industry-first conceived by mens’ underwear designer Marco Morante, the Marco Marco show was a chance to center transgender people more than ever before. 

Already confirmed for a second season, FX’s Pose is quenching the thirst of queer people of color eager to see themselves reflected on screen. Home to not only the largest transgender cast on television, the drama-series also has an unparalleled number of transgender people working behind the scenes. 

“It was so fantastic to be on set. I wanted words, but I’ll be your thirst trap this time,” he says with a laugh, referring to his role as sexy dancer Sebastian. “When you bring me back, I want a love triangle.” 

Photographer Nelson Castillo, who snapped Laith wearing only Calvin Klein briefs in 2015, says he’s seen Laith overcome and navigate the challenges of public acceptance. Nelson believes that in 2018 it should be less about gender labels and more about talent and ability. 

“Laith is a handsome, talented Latino regardless of gender,” said Nelson via email. “Any label or company or network should want to use him because he's a capable man for the role. He has star quality and he's a hard worker. It's less about 'a trans model' and more about 'a model who happens to be trans.'” 

At 5’10” with a manicured beard and a damn-near-Adonis body of caramel-colored skin, Laith is sculpted to satisfaction. But before becoming an internationally regarded public figure in 2013 with one Barney’s campaign shot by fashion photographer Bruce Weber, Laith struggled to understand how his sexuality and gender identity could find space in the world.