Race of Your Own Dwen Curry Addiction, Surviving incarceration & walking in transparency S1E21

Dwen Curry – Celebrity Stylist, Actor, and Advocate Dwen Curry was born in Detroit, Michigan, on March 3, 1968, the eldest of four siblings. Raised by her mother and grandparents, she navigated a challenging adolescence, often defending herself in the streets of Detroit due to her sexuality. Her resilience earned her the nickname "GG"—The Original Gay Gangster. In 1998, Dwen relocated to Oakland, California, with uncertainty as a person with an addiction, but her entrepreneurial spirit overshadowed that. She launched Just an Illusion, a beauty salon that became a hub for celebrities in the sports and entertainment industries. She transitioned into the fashion world through networking and talent, styling models for local fashion shows and national hair magazines. However, Oakland soon felt too small for her ambitions, prompting her to move to Los Angeles in 1999. Just two weeks after arriving in L.A., she met Lisa Raye, who became a close friend and a client. Dwen’s impeccable styling helped solidify Lisa Raye’s fashion status, creating her styling house, Xtreme Measures Incorporated. Over the years, she transformed the images of A-list stars, including Mariah Carey, Patti LaBelle, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Tichina Arnold, Eve, Tracee Ellis- Ross, Da Brat, Yo Yo, DMX, Ja Rule, Trina and many more. Her success in fashion led to opportunities in television. Mara Brock Akil cast her as "Blackberry" on Girlfriends, and she worked as a wardrobe stylist and later an actor on Noah’s Arc, portraying "Romeo." However, her rising career was derailed by legal troubles when she was incarcerated on a fraud-related charge. After serving four and a half years and completing a rehabilitation program, she emerged stronger and resumed her styling career. Dwen’s journey took another transformative turn as she embraced her identity as a transgender woman. Today, she is not only a sought-after stylist and actor but also an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and survivors of human trafficking. Her biopic, Fighting to Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story, premieres on BET+ on February 27, 2025. The film chronicles her rise in Hollywood, struggles, and ultimate journey toward redemption and self-acceptance. With a career spanning decades and a client list of top celebrities, Dwen continues to make her mark in fashion, advocacy, and entertainment. She has also appeared in American Gangster: Trap Queens Season 2, further cementing her legacy. Her story is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of authenticity. Dwen Curry : Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dwentheoriginaldiva/?hl=en A Race of your Own Series IG : https://www.instagram.com/raceofyourown/ Thank you for tuning in. Don't forget to subscribe. Listen also on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3YOHILgy0h1UYSmd72Knaz Amazon Music : https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0d49ec85-b465-4703-8bfa-9fd79b958b32/a-race-of-your-own RSS Feed: https://dashboard.rss.com/podcasts/araceofyourown/