Meet Leyna Bloom, the first colored transgender actress to appear at the Cannes Film Festival as lead. She's Fil-Am, btw

Leyna Bloom, 25, is not only the first transgender colored actress to appear at the Cannes Film Festival as a lead actress. She is also half-Filipina, half-African American.

Her mother is a Filipina from General Santos, and when she got deported, Leyna was raised by her father. But she felt something was missing in her life so she searched for her mom and found her in the Philippines.

Her first feature film, "Port Authority,” directed by first time director Danielle Lessovitz, was in competition in the recently held Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard category. It is about the love story of a trans and a straight white guy Paul (portrayed by Fionn Whitehead) set in New York’s kiki ballroom scene. She portrays Wye, a 22-year-old girl voguing on the sidewalk.

Below are our exclusive interview with her in Cannes:

 

 
 This is your first film and you are the first colored transgender who is a leading lady here at the Cannes Film Festival. How did you get the role and what made you do the movie?
 
I am from the ballroom community and I have been in the business since I was 15. I want to give back to the community and since they were also looking for someone from the community and somebody who can talk the language to the community and the media and speak to the people, they gave it to me.
 
How is it to be directed by a first-time female director? How was the experience?
 
It was amazing. It was the first time for both of us to do something like this and so we had each other’s backs. I would tell her to talk to me and she would do the same to me. We shared a certain language.
 
What was the most challenging part in the movie?
 
For me, the most challenging part was knowing that what I am doing is amazing and not be afraid to be the first. There is so much work to be done and that can be very scary because it is something new — new fame, new experience, new Cannes moment. Just being on the set was scary for me but I had to do it.
 
You are also half-Filipina. Your mother is Filipina.
 
Yes, my mother is from General Santos in Mindanao but now she lives in Ayala, Makati. She is so beautiful, vibrant and we look alike in every aspect. I even have a tattoo here in my wrist that reads “Mahal kita” which means “I love you” and they are the first words I learned in Tagalog.

I know I came from a rich culture and I am proud of it. I grew up Americanized since my mom was deported when I was only two years old. I was raised by my American father, but four years ago, I found my mom online. I searched everywhere. I felt there was a piece of me missing.
 
How was your experience in the Philippines?

Everything is amazing and the people love my hair because most of their hair is straight. They love my hair, my curly hair. The food is amazing. The people are so vibrant and welcoming. I feel so welcome in the Philippines. I feel so connected and so unique.

 

 
Would you consider doing a Filipino film?
 
Yes I would. I just need to learn some more Tagalog.
 
Can you greet our readers in Tagalog?
 
Kumusta ka.(How are you?) Ito si Leyna Bloom. (This is Leyna Bloom.) Konti lang. (A little bit.) Mabuti. (Good) Maganda. (Beautiful) I know a little.
 
Do you know how to cook Filipino food?
 
My mom taught me how to do chicken curry, chicken adobo, pancit, balut. I had balut when I worked in Jeepney Restaurant in New York.
 
What made you choose Leyna Bloom as your movie name?

I wanted a unique name for my soul that was not common, so I chose Leyna. I thought it was completely different. As for my last name Bloom, it represents my blooming and growing like a flower, just like I am blooming here again in Cannes.
 
How was your Cannes experience?
 
Yes it is my first time here in Cannes. I just arrived two days ago and it has been work, work, work for me. I still have not gotten a chance to enjoy the city but since the people come here to celebrate film, I am here for that.
 
What are some of your future projects?
 
I would like to do stories about true events and biopics about Lena Horne, Cleopatra — stories that resonate with me and about people who I care about.

 

 
How did you search for your mom? 

I was looking for her in Facebook and I found someone who looked like me. I searched online and I had to send her a message. I saw a number and I called her up and I told her “Mom, this is your baby and I have been looking for you.” She cried and she got me to go to the Philippines. I met my brothers and sisters and my mom showed me around Makati, Quezon City, and The Fort. She is an amazing woman.
 
What did your mother teach you?

She taught me never to cut my hair. She loves my style. We came from a tribe in Mindanao and I treasure that. I go around the world and I will be treasuring that part of me. It is always important to love yourself.
 
What would you advice women or transgender women who would like to be in Hollywood?

I would advice women in general that they have the power to control their lives with their brains and hearts and not with their bodies and not with sex appeal. They should learn to give back to the community, to the society. They should be strong. Never give up. Always put yourself first even if it is your family. Don’t be afraid to do the hard work.
 
Who are your heroes?
 
My mom is my hero. She tried to do a better life for herself. Her dream comes true through me.
 
Does your mother know that your movie is being shown in Cannes?
 
Yes. She is always calling me, “Baby, where are you? Who are you going around with?” — LA, GMA News