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INTERVIEW: Laverne Cox Lists Beyoncé As One Of Her Sheroes For Women History Month

It was something about the entertainers ‘I AM … World Tour’ opener, that she considers a level of excellence.’

Women’s History month is full of women warriors inspiring and motivating those inside and outside of their circle; they dare us all to dream big.  The month-long celebration that kicks off every March 1st honors distinguished and esteemed women and their accomplishments in all industries. 

For Laverne Cox, the four-time Emmy-nominated actress, equal rights advocate, and Emmy-winning producer has proudly broken barriers in Hollywood. Playing Sophia Burset in the Netflix original series “Orange is the New Black,” the 48-year-old stunned viewers with her dynamic performance. Becoming the first trans woman of color to play a leading role in a popular scripted television series, she also became the first openly transgender actress nominated for a Primetime Emmy, the Television Academy writes.

In an exclusive chat with BET.com, Cox talks about the sheroes that have inspired her. 

“There are so many! My therapist asks me this all of the time ‘who are protectors and inspirations for me,’” Cox says before listing a few women who came to her mind including legendary opera singer Leontyne Price -- who she says she is obsessed with.

RELATED: INTERVIEW: Laverne Cox Is Raising The Barre With Smirnoff And This Black-Owned Fitness Studio

Cox also named Oprah Winfrey and shared that the spiritual work that the multi-talented media mogul has courageously done has consistently inspired her.

Rounding her list of sheroes is Beyoncé.  The actress recalls how watching a concert set from one of the Grammy award-winning singers' iconic performances helped her get out of a funk.

“I was having a rough day, and I needed some inspiration, and I put on the I AM … World Tour opener,” Cox explained. “When [ Beyoncé] starts with “Deja Vu” and goes into “Crazy In Love” and that Mugler costume [she is wearing] and [then] she dances with her guitar player. It just got me going; it is just such a level of excellence!”

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