Orange Is the New Black’s Laverne Cox is single and ready to mingle, but so far Mr. Right eludes her.
THE ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK STAR HAS HIGH STANDARDS WHEN IT COMES TO LOVES
It’s not an invitation you hear every day from a celebrity. Last October, Laverne Cox took to Instagram to tell the world she was single, ready to mingle and taking applications. “It’s OK to slide into my DMs,” wrote the actress. “Don’t be scared. Just be respectful.” A year later, she admits she has yet to find Mr. Right. “There are not a lot of men who are life-partner material,” says Laverne, 48. But that doesn’t mean she’s not enjoying the process. “I’m having a really good time,” she adds. Here, the LGBTQ activist, who recently teamed up with Gold Bond for their Champion Your Skin campaign, talks to In Touch’s Lexi Ciccone about dating, life on lockdown and her secret to looking so youthful.
Tell us more about how dating is going. LC:
I’m managing. I’ve been video-chatting, which is a great way to get a sense of who people are. I have to say I’m having fun.
Would you ever like to get married and have kids? LC:
Absolutely not. I do believe in love, and I would love to have a life partner, but for me marriage is an antiquated patriarchal institution. And parenting is probably the most difficult and sacred job one can do, and a responsibility I don’t want to take on.
How have you fared during lockdown? LC:
I had some challenging times, but I’ve turned a corner with it where I’m really loving being alone. I’m trying to meditate more and lean into mental health. I see my therapist on video chat every week.
What about work? LC:
I’ll be going back to shoot [the upcoming Netflix series] Inventing Anna soon. And I’m in a wonderful film called Bad Hair written and directed by Justin Simien, who brought us Dear White People.
Have you kept in touch with your Orange Is the New Black castmates? LC:
I check in and text with lots of folks. We’re a forever family, and we’re always going to be family even if we don’t talk every day.
You look amazing at 48! What’s your secret? LC:
A lot of it is genes and then clean living. I rarely drink and never smoked. I try to take good care of myself. That and having a zest for life and being excited about what’s next. ◼