Laverne Cox Quotes

Grace Jones was an influence, because I was like, 'These shoulders! These pants! Girls can wear pants and be awesome.' That's something I definitely embody.

Beyonce is one of my inspirations. Her attitude, her style, her voice... she's perfect.

Beyonce's music is like lipstick or a decidedly tall pair of heels: It's empowering.

I would like to show that I have a heart, that I am a human being and I have feelings. And to be this kind of role model, not only for beauty pageants but also for life.

Beyonce is the most amazing woman in the world.

I don't know if I have a specific style icon.

I met Madonna when I was 22, and I danced with her until I was 28. When I met her, I was a tomboy! Every time I see her, she really inspired me about one thing or another, so she's quite important and significant person in my life.

Beyonce's like my secret mother.

For me, growing up, one of my biggest fashion inspirations was Aaliyah.

I love Blake Lively. She's one of my favorite actresses, and she's got a really classy and beautiful look. She's somebody that I really look up to and follow.

I wanted to express myself using visuals and also celebrate the beauty of black women, travel, and have amazing opportunities. I also wanted to be a living example of inspiration for other women and girls.

If I ever feel like I don't know what to do next, I always think about WWJD, like 'what would J-Lo do,' 'cause J-Lo for me is like the epitome of feminine sensuality, mixed with show stopping beauty.

My style icon is anyone who makes a bloody effort

I want to pave the path as much as possible for the younger girls coming through.

It's the most gratifying thing to have young girls telling me, 'I love that you do a photo shoot in pants and a button up shirt, and you still look cool.'

Whatever character I play, I want to inspire. I don't want to just be the girlfriend or be the wife.

I'll be honest with you: before I heard Nicki rapping, I probably wouldn't have thought to rap myself. Just to see a female doing it and being in there with the guys, it was motivation.

When I get on stage, Beyonce is my alter ego. The way that she's Beyonce in real life and then Sasha Fierce on stage, I'm Normani in real life, and then I pretend to be Beyonce on stage. I just love that she's constantly reinventing herself but stays true to who she is as a person - and she wears so many hats in her life.

I was always just blown away by David Bowie and how mannered the guy was willing to be. It was so far from what I imagined someone with my confidence to be capable of.

My favorite style inspirations are between Rihanna and Diana Ross.

I have always loved fashion and feel it's another way to express my creativity. It's art and beauty combined.

I copied John Lennon; I copied a bit of David Bowie. It's such a shame, and I'm so glad that now young girls have so many different role models in all different walks of life.

I'm kind of obsessed with Bruce Springsteen - the T-shirt and jeans look for me is appealing. Prince was great as well. He designed all of his outfits himself and looked exactly how he wanted to look. He was in complete control of his image.

I never thought of myself as a role model, but I've had so many messages from girls, women, mothers saying I was an inspiration.

My biggest role model right now is Beyonce, just 'cause she is a very, very strong, powerful woman, and that's obviously the number one reason to be inspired by her. She is just killing every game there is to kill.