Breaking Barriers, Following Her Creative Calling & Redefining Success with Hailie Sahar

In this episode of Too Much, host Denise Love Hewett talks with award-winning actor, producer, director, singer, and writer Hailie Sahar. From making history on Ryan Murphy’s Pose as Lulu, Mother of the House of Ferocity, to starring on Freeform’s Good Trouble, Hailie shares her journey as a trailblazing trans woman in entertainment. They discuss: Discovering her calling in grade school and pursuing it despite societal barriers Navigating rejection and setbacks in the entertainment industry Turning failures into lessons and tools for growth Launching her lifestyle brand House of Sahar and her debut music video Star Traveler Advocacy work and using her platform to create impact Whether you’re a fan of Pose, Good Trouble, or exploring a creative path without a clear blueprint, Hailie’s story offers inspiration, actionable insights, and a masterclass in courage, determination, and authenticity. Hailie Sahar is an award-winning actor, producer, director, singer, and writer. She made history as one of the five transgender lead actors in Ryan Murphy's groundbreaking FX series Pose, where she starred as Lulu, Mother of the House of Ferocity. The ensemble went on to achieve global recognition and multiple Emmy Awards across three celebrated seasons. Sahar also made history as the first transgender actor to appear on two television shows simultaneously, starring as Lulu in Pose and as Jazmin in Freeform's Good Trouble, all while holding a national commercial contract with Descovy. Expanding her creative reach, Sahar released her debut music video Star Traveler and launched her lifestyle brand, House of Sahar, which debuted with her signature fragrance Sultana. Her film and stage credits include portraying community pioneer Sylvia Rivera in HBO Max's Equal, recurring as Jazmin in Good Trouble, appearances in Amazon Studios' Transparent and USA's Mr. Robot, and starring in the Off-Broadway production of Charm at New York City's MCC Theater. She also executive produced and co-directed the documentary Beyond Ed Buck, supported by Gilead, which ran in film festivals nationally and internationally and secured distribution with AMC's ALLBLK Network. In 2020, Deadline announced Sahar's collaboration with Emmy Award-winning director Anthony Hemingway on the Sir Lady Java biopic, in which she will executive produce and star as the trailblazing Los Angeles icon. Her visibility and impact extend beyond performance. She has been featured in Vogue, Essence, Variety, Allure, and OUT Magazine, and was named one of People Magazine's "Most Beautiful People" in 2020. She is also one of the few trans women to be profiled by Playboy Magazine, furthering representation and solidarity. Crowned both "Miss L.A. Pride" and "Queen U.S.A.," Sahar continues to use her platform for advocacy. She was invited to speak on the HIV/AIDS epidemic at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center for the 57th Presidential Advisory Council in Washington, D.C., and remains actively involved with the East L.A. Women's Center against domestic violence. Subscribe to Too Much for new episodes about redefining success, building wholeness, and creating your own blueprints for life. You can follow her  @hailiesahar and at houseofsahar.com You can follow this podcast @toomuchwithdlh and Denise @deniselovehewett Email [email protected] for any suggestions or advice. #HailieSahar #TooMuchPodcast #PoseFX #GoodTrouble #TransRepresentation #CreativeJourney #HouseOfSahar #Trailblazer