“We are here; we’ve always been here, and we’ll always be here; we exist.” Amiyah Scott, also known as King Amiyah on Instagram, made this impactful remark as she accepted the prestigious Rising Star Award at the GLAAD Awards in 2018. Amiyah Scott, a 36-year-old transgender woman of color from New Orleans, has been an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community for years. At 17, she garnered attention by dominating the ballroom scene and competitions in Atlanta. This led to YouTube fame and later substantial growth in her social media following, including 1.6 million Instagram fans. Her breakthrough came when director Lee Daniels discovered her on social media, leading to her breaking historic records for the LGBTQ+ community.
Bio
Amiyah Scott is among the first openly transgender individuals in the USA to achieve success in the TV and entertainment industries. In 2015, she was the first trans woman to appear on the Real Housewives franchise, and in 2016, she made history by becoming the first transgender series regular on network television with her role as Cotton in “STAR.” But this is not what made Amiyah a star; she’s been the blueprint in Ballroom for hair and makeup since the late 2000s.
Born on January 11, Amiyah Scott’s contagious calm energy reflects her angel numbers birthday. She has a captivating personality, talent, and charisma, which have earned her the status of an iconic legend in the ballroom community. Now the overall mother at Haus of Maison Margiela, the unstoppable trailblazer, Amiyah Margiela, is breaking stereotypes all while living her truth. As she returns from her hiatus, the star is even more self-aware, confident, and ready to dominate the world. Like the rise of the phoenix from the ashes, she’s more powerful and clear-headed, and she credits her 8-month sobriety for it all. On October 11, 2023, Amiyah Scott decided to be sober for a year. As a 35-year-old, she felt this was an important time to reset, and she describes this as the best decision she’s ever taken as it has led her to this powerful re-emergence.
Authenticity has always been paramount for Amiyah Scott. In a recent collaboration, she reflects during an inspiring interview with MEFeater for Pride Month, discussing her hiatus, career, the ballroom scene, and pride in her fabulous life.
Childhood and Transitioning
What was your childhood like growing up, and when did you know you wanted to transition?
AS: I’m from New Orleans. My mom is from New Orleans, and my dad is from New York, but I grew up in the South. I was raised with love and respect and taught that you should treat people as you wish to be treated. I knew that I was different my entire life. It’s just that when you’re younger, you don’t have enough information to state your identity, but I do know that I felt like I was trapped in the wrong body my entire life.
My mom and I are best friends. She’s my number one supporter and twin, so she had no problem accepting my identity. My dad and I had some issues. He is just old school, and it was a new experience. It was all a work in progress, but he eventually accepted me. It’s a blessing that my story is one of those stories where everything worked out, so I’m thankful for it.
GLAAD’s Rising Star Honoree
GLAAD Awards honored you in 2018 when they recognized you with the coveted Rising Star Award. Would you say that this was the defining moment in your career? And did you always want to be a star in the spotlight?
AS: I was grateful for the GLAAD honor. I have a lot of love for the organization, and it was truly humbling to be recognized. However, I believe that my star had already been shining long before they honored me. I’ve been involved in the ballroom scene since I was 17, and my performance videos on YouTube contributed to my growing fan base, which in turn propelled me into the world of social media. This exposure eventually led me to television. So, as a brand, I have been in existence since 2006. It takes time to gain recognition, and I think there’s a valuable lesson in that: to persevere and continue pushing forward. When GLAAD honored me in 2018, my star wasn’t just rising; it was shining brightly.
Challenges of a Trans Woman
What challenges have you faced as a transgender woman, and what accomplishments have you achieved?
AS: I never approached this intending to become an influencer. I was simply documenting my transition, which ended up being influential. It’s almost as if I was an influencer before the term was even coined. They call me the blueprint of hair and makeup because I’ve long embraced the current Instagram aesthetic that’s trending now. I am incredibly honored to have a significant impact on the trans community. Many people have approached me to share that my journey and transition inspire them to feel comfortable in their skin. This is a huge achievement for me. Having people tell me that I have positively impacted their lives in this way is indescribable. Living in my truth is the most important thing to me, and if my life can bring happiness and inspiration to others, then it’s all worth it.
It can be challenging for a trans person; our existence is often questioned. All we want is to live our lives like everyone else, but we often face ridicule due to hate and ignorance, which is tough to deal with. On top of being transgender, I’m also black. I find it frustrating when some of that hate and ignorance comes from within my community, as we should understand how it feels. It’s disheartening that I can’t find safety and peace within my own community. I would love to feel more included and accepted in my community.
Amiyah Scott—the first to ever do it!
In 2016, you became the third openly trans individual to play a trans role on TV with your portrayal of Cotton on “STAR.” As a transgender advocate, how did this role impact you at the time, and do you believe that your TV role has furthered your advocacy efforts to this day?
AS: It was confirmed that I was the first trans person to play a series regular on network television. It’s amazing to make history, but what’s even more important is being a part of the representation of the transgender community that I longed for when I was growing up. That means a lot to me. In terms of the impact of the role, “STAR” took it to another level. We were already in the sky, but “STAR” shot it to the moon, and I’m thankful for the opportunity. To this day, the cast and I are still close. It’s hard to even refer to them as cast because we’ve become family.
Amiyah Scott in Ballroom
How did you get your start in the ballroom community?
AS: I arrived in the Atlanta ballroom scene after Hurricane Katrina, a devastating tragedy that impacted New Orleans, my hometown. Like many others, my family lost everything, and we chose to evacuate to Atlanta. I felt like I found my community in Atlanta because it’s very inclusive of the LGBTQ community and black people. I got to experience the greatness of the black community at 17, as Atlanta is referred to as the New Black Hollywood. Despite the tragedy, I found a silver lining and a fresh start in Atlanta. It was there that I fully embraced my transition, and things started to take off for me. I began participating in balls under the name Amiyah Mizrahi, my alias in the ballroom scene.
Initially, I was part of the house of Mizrahi, along with individuals who have since become iconic in the ballroom scene, such as MC Debra, who is popular on social media for reaction GIFs and videos; Jack Mizrahi, a renowned commentator in the ballroom scene; and Leiomy Maldonado, who was a member of the Mizrahi house when I was. We were all young and growing up together. Participating in the POCC ball marked the beginning of a successful career for me. I am the second $5,000 face winner in the scene, alongside someone else. Fast forward to today, and I am the overall mother of the house of Maison Margiela.
Personal Branding
How have you managed to maintain your brand through the evolving times of social media?
AS: I believe the most important thing is that my brand represents who I am rather than just being something I wear. My brand is built on my personality, and I’m grateful for that. While there’s nothing wrong with basing your brand on something else, if you do, you constantly have to maintain that image. My brand embodies inspiration, authenticity, and beauty, and I believe these qualities will always be relevant.
The Overall Mother
What does being part of the Margiela family and serving as the Overall Mother of the Haus of Maison Margiela mean to you? What significant role has your family played in your life?
AS: Being an Overall Mother means everything to me. It is the most prestigious position that a trans woman can have in the ballroom scene. It does come with a lot of responsibility, but it’s very fulfilling. You get a chance to be the guidance that you wish you had and the opportunity to learn from your mistakes and then help your children avoid making the same ones.
The family dynamic goes well beyond the ballroom scene. Sometimes, your birth family is not the family that stands by your side; sometimes, your family is chosen. And that may seem unfortunate, but it’s a blessing because that can be a family that’s tailored to you. I think in our community, we need that type of love because we know that the world may not be that loving to us. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to provide that structure, warmth, and support. I love my kids; they’re my world.
Idols aside, who is your favorite figure in the LGBTQIA+ community?
AS: I find it difficult to single out just one person because I support everyone in the community. I genuinely mean it when I say that everyone brings something different to the table. Therefore, I can’t pick one person over another. I appreciate and support anyone who is positively advancing the community. In the words of Issa Rae, “I’m rooting for everyone who’s queer and Black.“
Community
The ballroom scene has long provided radical freedom for Black and Brown queer people, and you have reigned supreme in the scene for years. Would you say the community matters more now than ever?
AS: It’s important to remember that ballroom culture has always been significant, even though it may seem even more important now. We now have the opportunity to be heard and seen, but the ballroom community has always been important. It was important when we didn’t receive recognition or have our own stages, and we created a space for ourselves to support and celebrate each other. Now, we are becoming more mainstream, and while we still need and deserve more representation, we are starting to see ourselves on screens and in the media. They may have put us far back, but they’ve given us a seat at the table. We wouldn’t be here now without those icons, legends, and people who paved the way. They walked, so we could run.
What do you feel needs to change in the LGBTQIA+ community?
AS: I am also a member of the community, so I can’t dictate, but I believe we need to show more love to each other. There is already enough hate in the world and many other problems outside our community. Let’s focus on loving and uplifting each other more. That’s all. More love.
What advice would you give to someone who’s still finding their identity or is still about to start their transition journey?
AS: I would tell them to follow their hearts and to pay no mind to what people say. Live life with love, because love will lead you anywhere and everywhere.
Amiyah Scott’s World dominance
What’s next for Amiyah Scott?
AS: Wow, world dominance! I find it so thrilling. It’s funny. I used to think I wanted to get back to my old self, but I realize now that I’ve evolved. That’s why I felt lost—I was searching for someone who didn’t exist anymore. I had to accept and make room for the new me. I think acknowledging this sets the stage for what’s to come. We tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves to have everything figured out, but I believe there’s beauty in embracing uncertainty. It’s okay to change our minds and go with the flow.
As a society, we’re pushed to make decisions and stick to them from a young age, like knowing what career we want. How are we supposed to know? What I wanted at 15 might not be what I want at 25 or 35. The great thing is that we can change our minds whenever we want. We can switch careers and locations as many times as we like, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It just means we’re evolving, and it’s okay to transition.
You name it, and she has done it! From a teen YouTube Ballroom star to an adult TV star and now a trailblazing Ballroom Icon, Amiyah Scott is a true reflection of an iconic figure. She is the epitome of legendary and a symbol of historic moments in the LGBTQIA+ and ballroom communities. Amiyah Scott has been here, but now she’s ready to dominate as Queen Mother, the Phoenix.
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