His name is TL Thompson, and someday, he'll win the most-coveted "Best Male Actor" at the Oscars.
When I was young, I told my cousins about Denzel Washington -- that he would win the award someday --but they laughed at me. "A black man can't win that Award," they said. But the day he won it, my cousins became scared of me.
In 2004, I almost had a bet with my cousin regarding Joaquin Phoenix. "He's the stuff of legends, and will win the Oscar for Best Male Actor someday" I told her. "What is so special about him?" she asked. "He hasn't even acted much films," she added. I smiled and didn't say much. The year he was nominated and didn't win, she called me on phone to say "wow, he even got a nomination."
And just last year, he won it, and also picked almost every important Award there was to win. His role in "Joker" was undeniably the best thing on screen last year. Of course you all saw the excitement I had last year when he won, especially when he's someone I've chatted with before.
They say TL Thompson is a transgender man, but whatever that is; his acting is unique. I started following him in 2019, and I'm glad people are gradually talking about him. He could end up being the first transgender to break the bars, just like Mahershala Ali did in 2019 by becoming the first Muslim to win at the Oscars.
His recent feature in 4400 has gotten people asking questions, and even though I feel it would take time, his success could shock me -- he could win it sooner than imagined. He's one amazing actor.
