Queer and trans Latine artists are dominating 2026 with music, film, fashion and activism
BY ROISIN TEELING, IMAGES VIA INSTAGRAM (@ITSYOUNGMIKO, @PUERTORICANINJA) AND HULU
2026 is shaping up to be a year where queer and trans Latine artists are owning the spotlight. Whether they’re dropping chart-topping hits or speaking their truth online, these stars are making their mark.
Young Miko
What began as a 2018 SoundCloud upload has catapulted Young Miko to international fame. Born María Victoria Ramírez de Arellano Cardona in Añasco, Puerto Rico, she has collaborated with heavyweights like Bad Bunny and Central C, and made waves with her steamy, queer-forward music video with Karol G. She’s set to hit major festivals and arenas on her Late Checkout Tour 2026, fronts Gap’s first Spanish-language campaign as one of the first openly queer Latine artists leading the brand, and recently won Outstanding Music Artist at the 2026 GLAAD Media Awards.
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez
Breakout star Michaela Jaé Rodriguez has become one of the most influential queer icons in entertainment. Born in Newark, New Jersey, she made history as Blanca Evangelista on FX’s Pose, part of television’s largest cast of trans actors and a role that earned her a Golden Globe win and an Emmy nomination, making her the first trans woman recognised in those top acting categories. Beyond acting, she’s also a singer and activist, celebrated for powerful advocacy on LGBTQIA+ visibility and representation, including honours like the Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award.
Stephanie Beatriz
Stephanie Beatriz first won hearts as the witty Detective Rosa Diaz on Brooklyn Nine‑Nine and has since become an outspoken voice for queer Latine representation. She’s expanded into voice acting, including voicing Mirabel Madrigal in Encanto and Vaggi in Hazbin Hotel, and is a lead in Twisted Metal Season 2. With a role in Netflix’s upcoming 2026 comedy Don’t Say Good Luck, Beatriz continues to push boundaries while proudly representing bisexual Latine talent in entertainment.
Sara Ramirez
Born in Mazatlán, Mexico, Sara Ramírez is a Tony-winning actor who first turned heads on Broadway in Spamalot before becoming a fan favourite as Dr. Callie Torres on Grey’s Anatomy, one of network TV’s most iconic bisexual characters. More recently, they’ve been making waves as Che Diaz on And Just Like That. Ramírez is a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, using their platform to emphasise the importance of portraying LGBTQIA+ characters as full, imperfect human beings and has defended complex queer expression even in the face of criticism.
Ariana Debose
Ariana DeBose has become one of the most celebrated triple threats in entertainment and was the first openly queer Afro-Latina actors to win an Oscar. She made her Broadway debut in Bring It On: The Musical and was part of the original Hamilton cast before blowing up in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story as Anita, a role that earned her an Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and SAG Award. Looking ahead to 2026, she’s set to appear in the Prime Video crime thriller Scarpetta alongside Nicole Kidman and is performing at the Stephen Sondheim Award gala. DeBose co-launched the Unruly Hearts Initiative to help LGBTQIA+ youth connect with advocacy groups and often speaks openly about support for queer identities.
Aubrey Plaza
Known for her deadpan wit and fearless performances, Aubrey Plaza first became a fan favorite as April Ludgate on Parks And Recreation and has since stretched into everything from indie darlings like Ingrid Goes West and Emily The Criminal to critically acclaimed TV work like The White Lotus, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nods along the way. Openly bisexual, she’s also a producer and creative force behind projects like the upcoming biopic The Heidi Fleiss Story. Plaza appears in the adventure comedy Animal Friends opposite Ryan Reynolds and Jason Momoa, due in early 2027.
Michelle Rodriguez
Michelle Rodriguez is Hollywood’s ultimate action star, known for iconic roles in The Fast & Furious franchise, Avatar, and S.W.A.T. She’s long been candid about her queer identity and her commitment to living authentically, carving out space in Hollywood for strong, unapologetic Latinas in genres often dominated by men. Looking ahead, she’s set to star in the high-stakes thriller Left Seat and may return to the Fast & Furious universe, proving she’s as unstoppable behind the camera as she is on it.
Vico Ortiz
Puerto Rican non‑binary actor and drag king Vico Ortiz first grabbed attention as Jim Jimenez on Our Flag Means Death, where their non-binary pirate helped shift how gender fluidity is written and seen in mainstream TV. They’ve intentionally pushed back against casting norms, auditioning for roles of all genders and even asking writers if characters could be non-binary, and taken that boundary‑pushing off screen with their own solo show Rise Of A King, a genre‑bending drag‑theatre piece that explores identity through performance. Ortiz also voices multiple characters in animations like Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, served as a guest judge on King Of Drag, and has won honours such as the Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award.
Jillian Mercado
Model and actor Jillian Mercado has spent her career reshaping what fashion and entertainment look like by insisting that people with disabilities belong at the table. After signing with IMG following a breakout campaign with Diesel, she went on to front major brand work for Nordstrom, Target and Olay, and even appeared on Teen Vogue’s first digital cover, challenging the industry’s narrow beauty norms by placing a wheelchair‑using Afro‑Latina front and center. She stars as Maribel on The L Word: Generation Q, and off‑screen she co-founded the Black Disabled Creatives database to connect disabled artists with industry opportunities while advocating for better accessibility and representation across fashion weeks and sets.
Kehlani
Bay Area‑born R&B star Kehlani has spent over a decade turning honesty into art, from early mixtapes like Cloud 19 to multiple acclaimed albums like SweetSexySavage, and Crash. Their 2025 single Folded scored major chart success and helped them win Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, and they’ve been unafraid to use their platform to speak on social issues while championing queer and Black creativity. In 2026, Kehlani is deep in the studio with a self‑titled album set to drop in spring, and they’re rumoured to perform at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Arienne Mandi
Actor Arienne Mandi has steadily built a reputation as a standout presence in TV and film, rising to prominence as Dani Núñez on The L Word: Generation Q. Since then, she’s expanded into other projects, including roles in The Night Agent and Chicago P.D., and delivered a powerful turn in the critically praised feature Tatami. With Chilean and Iranian roots, Mandi actively champions Latinx and LGBTQIA+ representation, speaking at panels for the Outfest Film Festival and supporting projects led by women and queer creators.
Love media made by and for LGBTQIA+ women and gender diverse people? Then you’ll love DIVA. We’ve been spotlighting the community for over 30 years. Here’s how you can get behind queer media and keep us going for another generation: linkin.bio/ig-divamagazine
Did you know that DIVA has now become a charity? Our magazine is published by the DIVA Charitable Trust. You can find out more about the organisation and how you can offer your support here: divacharitabletrust.com
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source diva-magazine.com ’
