Jason A. Rodriguez

Jason A. Rodriguez
Born
New York City, U.S.
Alma materSUNY Purchase
Occupations
  • Actor
  • dancer
Years active2012–present

Jason A. Rodriguez is a Dominican-American actor and dancer. He is known for his role of Lemar Wintour in the FX television series Pose.[1] He is also known as Slim Xtravaganza[2] and belongs to the House of Xtravaganza, part of the New York City ballroom scene.

Early life

Rodriguez was born and raised in Washington Heights, Manhattan in New York City.[3]

Career

Early work

Rodriguez graduated from SUNY Purchase in 2012.[4] He received a BA in Arts Management while studying dance. There he mentored under Associate Professor Kevin Wynn, who helped him improve his technique. It was while managing Wynn's email that Rodriguez learned of auditions for Pose. Kevin Wynn introduced Rodriguez to dance networks by employing his assistance at Joffrey Ballet School and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Rodriguez was inspired to get involved with ballroom culture after seeing Paris is Burning. Rodriguez began training with Benny Ninja from the House of Ninja in 2010. He then joined the House of Ninja,[4] and trained with Javier Ninja,[3] before eventually joining the House of Xtravaganza and training with Derrick Xtravaganza.[3]

TV and film

Rodriguez was cast in Baz Luhrmann’s Netflix series The Get Down in 2016 as a voguer.[4] He was also cast as a voguer in the 2017 film Saturday Church.[4]

Rodriguez has a recurring role as Enrico in The Deuce on HBO.[3]

Role in Pose

Rodriguez was cast in Pose in 2018, Ryan Murphy's FX television series about New York City ball culture in the late 1980s. Rodriguez portrays Lemar Khan, a young dancer and voguer who belongs to House of Abundance, then the House of Ferocity, and then the House of Evangelista. In the second season, he joins the Wintour House.

The series premiered on June 3, 2018, and attracted critical acclaim.[5][6] The first season boasted the largest cast of transgender actors ever for a scripted network series with over 50 transgender characters.[7][8] On July 12, 2018, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a second season, which premiered on June 11, 2019.[9]

Rodriguez is credited as the Movement Coach and Choreographer for Season 2 of Pose.

Teaching dance

Rodriguez teaches dance in New York City. He teaches his style, New Way Vogue, at Gibney Dance in Manhattan. He has offered dance workshops for youth and queer people of colour at the LGBT Center, HMI (Hetrick-Martin Institute), and GMHC.[4] He has taught vogue in Vienna, Miami, Iowa, Japan, Dominican Republic and NYC.[3]

Personal life

Rodriguez identifies as queer.[10]

Filmography

TV

Year Title Role Notes
2016 The Get Down voguer
2018–21 Pose Lemar Khan Main cast
2019 The Deuce Enrico Recurring role

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2017 Saturday Church voguer

References

  1. ^ "'Pose' star Jason A. Rodriguez talks hit series, voguing lessons". PIX11. 2019-11-18. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  2. ^ Kourlas, Gia (2020-07-24). "Jason Rodriguez's Vogue Family Values: Positivity, Trust, Love". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Jason A Rodriguez "Slim"". Gibney. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Purchase to Pose: Jason A. Rodriguez '12". www.purchase.edu. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  5. ^ "Pose: Season 1 – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  6. ^ "Pose: Season 1 – Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  7. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 25, 2017). "FX's 'Pose': Ryan Murphy Sets Largest Transgender Cast Ever For Scripted Series". Deadline Hollywood. Los Angeles, California: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
  8. ^ "New Ryan Murphy Musical Dance Series POSE Gets Full Season Order". BroadwayWorld.com. December 27, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  9. ^ Otterson, Joe (July 12, 2018). "'Pose' Renewed for Season 2 at FX". Variety. Los Angeles, California: Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  10. ^ "Pose's resident voguer Jason A. Rodriguez discusses the show's impact on the QPOC community". GAY TIMES. 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2021-07-27.