Transcendent: A Memoir

by Laverne Cox

Four-time Emmy-nominated actress Laverne Cox shares her journey as a transgender woman in Hollywood, confronting childhood trauma, shame, gender identity, her transition, body image issues, her search for romantic love, deep-seated feelings of unworthiness, and ultimately, healing.

Laverne Cox is a powerhouse in the fight for transgender rights and representation—but her path from a struggling trans actress to a cultural movement was anything but easy.

Surviving a childhood full of trauma, dealing with depression, and working at a drag restaurant in New York City for seven years, Laverne was turning forty and felt it was time to throw in the towel when it came to being a Hollywood star—then she booked the character of Sophia Burset in Orange is the New Black. Her world changed overnight.

She made history as the first openly transgender person nominated for a Primetime Emmy, starred in a range of high-profile shows, and became the first transgender person to win a Daytime Emmy as executive producer on Laverne Cox The T Word. A red-carpet fashion icon, podcast host, and fearless advocate, she uses her stardom to champion LGBTQ+ rights, whether on Hollywood’s biggest stages, her personal channels, or at Supreme Court hearings. And she’s only getting started.

In Transcendent, you will experience life in Laverne’s shoes, from her childhood abuse to making her big break, dealing with Hollywood bureaucracy, feeling lonely in a world that is unaccepting, and finding her voice through the chaos of it all. With behind-the-scenes stories and personal reflection, we can heal and fight for equality, right alongside Laverne.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, LGBT, Audiobook, Queer, Biography, Biography Memoir

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 9, 2026

Reviews

[Angie Miale · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a cisgender reader who strives to be a better ally, I know I will never fully understand what it means to be transgender. What I can do is listen, learn, and make space for transgender people to tell their own stories. Transcendent helped me do exactly that.

In this powerful memoir, Laverne Cox reflects on a life that has been filled with both beauty and pain, shame and joy, struggle and triumph. Growing up as a Black Christian child in Alabama, she wrestled with questions of identity, belonging, and self-acceptance long before the wider world knew her from Orange Is the New Black.

What I appreciated most was how thoughtfully Cox connects her personal experiences to the broader history of transgender people. She explores changing language, cultural attitudes, and the realities of living in a society that often misunderstands or marginalizes transgender communities. Throughout the book, it is clear she has spent years doing the difficult work of making meaning from her experiences and transforming painful memories into stories that can help others.

One of the memoir’s greatest strengths is its honesty. Cox doesn’t shy away from discussing shame, discrimination, or the difficult choices that can arise when opportunities for representation are limited. Her reflections on visibility, progress, and the complexity of representation are nuanced and thought-provoking.

At just 255 pages, this is a relatively short memoir, but it packs an incredible amount of insight into those pages. I also loved the photo section featuring images from her childhood through her rise to Hollywood and beyond.

More than anything, Transcendent reminded me that listening is one of the most important parts of allyship. If you’re looking to add a memoir by a transgender author to your reading list, this is an excellent place to start.

Content notes: transphobia, discrimination, bullying, violence, shame, discussions of mental health.

Who should read this?

* Readers looking to deepen their understanding of transgender experiences
* Fans of memoirs that blend personal storytelling with cultural history
* Anyone who admired Laverne Cox’s work in Orange Is the New Black
* Readers seeking meaningful Pride Month recommendations

Thank you to Gallery Books⁠ for the finished copy.

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vulnerable, moving, funny, and absolutely engrossing. This memoir is definitely a favorite and Laverne Cox opens up about harrowing moments from her childhood, the early years of pursuing acting while transitioning, and how her eventual rise to stardom occurred after years of work. I loved it and I hope this reaches people who don't have a lot of empathy for or understanding of trans people and the threat of violence they so often live with day to day. She also addresses some controversies in a way that felt genuine to me, though I don't know how everyone will respond. I'm glad I picked this up. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

[R.J. Sorrento · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I guess I rate memoirs now? To be a 54 year old Black trans woman in the U.S. is an accomplishment, and Laverne Cox has done so much more beyond surviving. She shares an honest, tough to read at times account of her life, and all that she has overcome and accomplished. For anyone who wonders how difficult daily life is a for a Black trans woman, please read this book to gain an ounce of understanding. Trans people have always been here, and they have never been the problem. Thank you to Libro FM for the ALC.

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Thank you Gallery Books for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!

You may know Laverne Cox from her 4(!) Emmy nominations, her multiple television roles, or even her iconic “The Transgender Tipping Point” cover on Time magazine. And sure, Cox has let us into her world before through other outlets, but this memoir explores themes she’s never shared with anyone (not even her therapist!). She walks readers through how she went from a humble beginning in Mobile, AL, made her way to NYC, and became a breakout star in Netflix’s Orange is the New Black. Cox has been an advocate for so many causes, namely queer and trans rights across the, across the screen, and across the courtroom. This is a memoir about her ~transcendence~ in the industry.

This book has absolutely everything you’d want from a memoir: from describing her origin story to landing a major role with Emmy nominations, and every hustle in between that made it all possible. But Cox also describes some of the not-so-glamorous parts, including having to educate media hosts on discussing trans folks (and not their bodies) or even dating a M*GA cop. There’s also so much nostalgia baked in: remember when Orange is the New Black was Netflix’s first and only streaming show, and how radical that was? Remember those days when the world felt like we were at least moving forward on trans rights, not regressing and attempting to regulate away trans identities? This book will challenge you no matter what, and the vulnerability is precisely what makes Cox an amazing “possibility model.” I highly recommend it!

Reviewed as part of an #ARC from the publisher.

Read this book if you:
👗 ever shopped at Salvation Armani
☕️ owe so much for your own origin story to a late-night coffee shop
🏳️‍⚧️ Sophia Burset was your favorite character on Orange is the New Black

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[Tara Cignarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Transcendent by Laverne Cox
Book 118
5 Stars (4.6 Amazon 4.27 Goodreads)
Release Date 6/9/26
Audio
Words 94,000
#whiskersandwordsbookreview #onesentencereview #transcendent

----- A very telling and well told memoir, good on audio.

Have you watched Orange Is the New Black?

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always so hard to read about all the tragic things that some people are forced to endure just because they are different from what is deemed to be the norm. Laverne Cox opens up about her childhood and the many hardships she faced during that time in her life. She walks us through how she became the star she is today even though so many people did not think her capable. I’m glad she made it and didn’t give up on herself when faced with cruelty and adversity. She has paved the way for so many trans people and I’m grateful she is sharing some of her story.

[Brittany Luebbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐ I absolutely flew through this. It wasn't flashy or sensational. It was simply a compelling story told with vulnerability, warmth, and insight. I was invested from beginning to end, and the length felt just right.

[Sarah | coffeereadrepeat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read! I was a loyal watcher of Orange is the New Black and Sophia Burset, played by Cox, was always my favorite character. While Sophia is very different from Cox herself, both of their experiences are so different from my own and I think that’s why I gravitate towards them - it’s important to listen and learn from those unlike yourself. Despite others trying to tear her down or change her, Cox has always stayed true to herself and stood up for what she believed in. She came across as strong and genuine in this memoir.

Cox narrates this one herself and the very beginning was a little bumpy, but she quickly found her groove and settled into the narration. It was well done!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again I went blind into a memoir without knowing the celebrity or person and I had my heart broken, my head was shaking and my mind was fuming over everything that Laverne was put through. Laverne always seemed to keen to be her true self, even if the voices in her head tried to say otherwise at times and her mother (ugh) really made me work so hard to just be *accepted*. This world would be a vastly different place if Laverne did not keep her head high, the swagger in her steps and those goals set in front of her.

I am very grateful that in my life I have supportive parents, loving friends who are accepting of all and will never hesitate to stand up for what is right, but I know a lot of people do not have this.
Love is love, every body matters, support trans rights, black lives matter and seeking therapy is healthy.

This was a great read and the audiobook is also fabulous (also narrated by Laverne)

[Aprile · Rating 5 out of 5]

An icon, in every sense of the word and role.

Very proud that my grad school was on your speaking tour <3

[Zoe Zeid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful memoir read by the author. I highly recommend the audiobook. It made me want to rewatch Orange is the New Black! I learned a lot about the trans community as well!

[Matthew Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool memoir to read, always loved Laverne on screen and had no idea the abuse she endured to get where she is. For a celebrity memoir, I loved it!

[Karli Sherwinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook read by the author herself and felt like I was right there with her in the room. It is so hard for me to hear stories of kids who don’t have the support of their parents. It took Laverne a very long time to feel secure in her identity and to find the people who truly love and support her. She has done a tremendous amount of educating and advocacy work alongside her deep commitment to her craft.

[Kade · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever wonder what it’s like to grow up and know who you are but have that truth literally and figuratively beaten out of you…read this book. If you ever wonder what happens when you finally lean into your truth and become who you were meant to be, and then have doors open for you that you never dreamed possible…read this book. I listened to Laverne read the audiobook, which won’t be for everyone because she can be a bit affected and dramatic in her reading, but either way, I think this book is worth your time.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must-read. Laverne's story is incredible from her childhood trauma to her discovery of her talent to her perseverance in both love and career. A remarkable woman! I really enjoyed listening to her tell her own story in audiobook.

[Brooks Estrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Went in blind to this memoir and left having learned so much more about Laverne! I loved her in Orange is the New Black and have enjoyed following her career since then, but going back to her childhood and learning more about the before added so much depth to my understanding of her!

[Lisa Kornetsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a huge memoir fan but this audio book was available and I have always found her an interesting actor. Given the times we are living in, I found her story to be interesting and worth hearing. With all that she has been through, we see a trans woman who has triumphed!

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laverne Cox’s story in Transcendent is an important one that truly needs to be told—and read. While her journey is distinctly her own, I found powerful traces of familiarity throughout her words that really stayed with me. It sparked so much meaningful reflection as I read. Every moment spent with this book was time well spent. Highly recommended!

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid

[Brezaja · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW.

WOW wow wow wow wow. Thank you so much for this, Laverne Cox. I am still processing this and will be for a while. This means so much to me. For our community. For stories to be shared and to uplift one another.

She toreeeeeeeeeee

[Jessica Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This book is a brutal trauma dump.
- Physical abuse (beatings with a switch and kids beating her up)
- Emotional abuse by her mother (repeatedly)
- Sexual abuse (no details thankfully)
- Bullying and slurs (repeatedly)
- Her mother leaves her at an orphanage
- Suicide attempt
- Older teenagers expose themselves to her (unwanted… initially) and there’s semi-willing dubcon oral sex
- Dead naming and incorrect pronouns
- A man that struggles to understand what “stop” means

I don’t mind dubcon in a fantasy book but I do mind in a memoir. 😬😬😬 This was just so hard to read because it’s constantly very very sad. I considered DNFing numerous times but it felt disrespectful so I finished but it’s a downer for sure.

[Kristina L Schasker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great listen. Narrated beautifully and written with so much feeling. Amazing story of strength and resilience.

[Lisa Moyer]

LOVED her memoir - so authentic and moving. Highly recommend.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really wonderful audiobook. She is so powerful and vulnerable in her writing!!

[Jessica Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Laverne even more after reading her book. There are few people in this world that have the level of authenticity and perseverance that she does.

[Ludovic Bernard Allard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving memoire about such a powerful woman. A woman a concider as Queen Mother and a trailblazer to queer and trans folks accros platforms and all media’s alike. This hits close to home.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

She is amazingly smart, strong and brave! Unreal what she had to live through.

[Stephen McGillivray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thank Laverne for sharing her amazing life in such a clear work of art, bringing me to reflect on my blindness, my refusal to see, that is my unwillingness to find out what realities exist and existed during so many years of my life, being that Laverne is less than 10 years older than me, yet I hadn’t heard of her, and for contemplation sake if I had, I would not have understood and likely would not have tried to understand her nor the hardships she has faced, which I’ve been apart of, if even through ignorance and inaction, although sometimes because of my will. I am sorry. But I will work to repair what I can. I highly recommend this book to all.

[Sandra O'hagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laverne Cox is smart and insightful and inspiring as she tells her story.
I encourage everyone to read this to help people understand what it must be like being born into the wrong body. Yes, it’s a real thing.
I love that she has been able to find her way and be successful, despite so much resistance and bigotry, and be a voice for the LGBTQ+ community.

[Erin M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw a blurb on an NPR book list about this book and thought it looked interesting. I didn’t really know much about Laverne Cox before this, other than I knew she had been in the acclaimed series Orange is the new black (which I’ve not seen). I enjoyed hearing about Laverne’s life experiences and her resiliency, and learning more about the history and current issues the trans community face today.