Is Kelly Mantle Transgender? Unpacking The Gender Identity Of A Groundbreaking Star

The question of Kelly Mantle's gender identity is more nuanced than a simple yes or no, reflecting her groundbreaking role as a truly fluid and modern performer in the entertainment industry. As of late 2025, Kelly Mantle identifies as gender-fluid, a key identity that informs her career as an actor, comedian, and drag queen. This identity is central to her status as a "trans-icon" and her historic achievement as the first performer to be eligible for both male and female acting categories at the Academy Awards.

The confusion surrounding the "is Kelly Mantle transgender" query stems from her public evolution and her candid discussion of her identity, which has included describing herself as gender-fluid and being listed among *RuPaul's Drag Race* stars who have come out as trans after the show. Her journey highlights the complexity of gender and how it intersects with performance art like drag, making her a crucial figure in the conversation about LGBTQ+ representation today.

Kelly Mantle Complete Biography and Profile

Kelly Mantle is a multi-talented American artist known for her work across acting, music, comedy, and drag. Her career is marked by a refusal to be confined by traditional labels, both professional and personal.

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• Full Name: Kelly Leroy Mantle
• Date of Birth: July 9, 1976
• Place of Birth: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
• Profession: Actor, Singer-Songwriter, Comedian, Musician, Drag Queen, Trans-Icon
• Gender Identity: Gender-Fluid
• Sexual Orientation: Bisexual/Lesbian (Self-described as a "gay bisexual transgender lesbian comedian medium")
• Notable TV Appearance: Contestant on Season 6 of RuPaul's Drag Race
• Historic Achievement: First openly gender-fluid performer to be eligible for both Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards (for the film Confessions of a Womanizer)
• Current Projects (2024–2025): Host of The Kelly Mantle Show podcast and co-starring in the series The Browns

The Nuance: Why Kelly Mantle is a "Trans-Icon" and Gender-Fluid

The short answer to the core query is that Kelly Mantle identifies as gender-fluid. However, the public discussion often places her under the transgender umbrella, which requires a deeper look into the terminology and her public statements.

Understanding Gender-Fluidity in Kelly Mantle's Context

Gender-fluidity is a non-binary gender identity that falls within the broader transgender spectrum. A gender-fluid person’s gender identity is not fixed and may change over time or from day-to-day. For Kelly Mantle, this means her presentation, expression, and feeling of gender can shift. This fluidity is a deliberate and powerful part of her identity and performance.

• Self-Description: Mantle has publicly used a wide array of labels to describe herself, including "gay bisexual transgender lesbian comedian medium," which emphasizes her multifaceted identity that goes beyond simple labels.
• "Trans-Icon" Status: She is widely recognized as a "trans-icon" and is listed among *Drag Race* queens who have come out as trans, signifying her importance to the trans and non-binary community. Her openness has paved the way for other performers to explore and express their own complex gender identities.
• Pronouns: While gender-fluid individuals often use they/them pronouns, and older reports mentioned masculine pronouns, the most respectful approach is to use her name and acknowledge her gender-fluid identity, as she moves between expressions of gender.

Her work, particularly her drag and her acting roles, directly challenges the rigid binary understanding of gender, making her a pivotal figure in the evolution of LGBTQ+ visibility in mainstream media.

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Oscar History and Groundbreaking Acting Career

Kelly Mantle's career is not just about her time on reality television; she is a serious actor who has made significant cinematic history. Her most famous and groundbreaking role was as a transgender sex worker in the 2014 film *Confessions of a Womanizer*.

The Dual-Category Nomination

For her performance in the film, the producers submitted Kelly Mantle for consideration in both the Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress categories at the 88th Academy Awards. This was an unprecedented move, as it made her the first performer to be eligible in two gender-specific acting categories for the same role. While she was not ultimately nominated, the eligibility itself was a landmark moment:

• It forced the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to publicly grapple with the concept of gender-fluidity and non-binary identity in performance.
• It highlighted the critical need for gender-neutral categories in major film awards, a conversation that continues to this day.
• It cemented Kelly Mantle's legacy as a boundary-pushing artist who uses her platform to challenge institutional norms.

Her acting credits extend beyond this historic role, including appearances on television shows and her recent work in the comedy series *The Browns*, starring alongside fellow *Drag Race* alumna Tammie Brown.

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Kelly Mantle's Ongoing Influence and Latest Projects (2025)

Kelly Mantle continues to be a highly active and influential voice in the entertainment world. Her work in 2025 demonstrates her versatility as she moves between the worlds of acting, comedy, and podcasting.

The Kelly Mantle Show and The Browns

One of her most current projects is her podcast, *The Kelly Mantle Show*, which has been active in 2024 and 2025. Podcasts offer a direct, unfiltered platform for her unique brand of comedy and commentary, allowing fans to connect directly with her evolving perspectives and humor. Furthermore, her co-starring role in the series *The Browns* with Tammie Brown keeps her connected to her roots in the drag community while showcasing her talents as a comedic actor.

In conclusion, Kelly Mantle is not simply "transgender" in the traditional sense, but rather a proud gender-fluid trans-icon who has leveraged her identity to create a unique and historic career. Her willingness to embrace complexity makes her an essential figure in the ongoing fight for authentic and diverse representation, proving that true talent transcends all labels.