This is shaping up to be the Year of Candis Cayne. She has torn through the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival circuit this summer with her hilarious portrayal of the evil Annaka Manners in RuPaul’s Starrbooty. And if that isn’t enough, she also has a super-sexy supporting role on the upcoming ABC show Dirty Sexy Money, playing the mistress of Billy Baldwin’s character. I was able to grab a quick interview with the legendary NYC showgirl and ask how she got all the planets to align for her this year. Check out the interview after the jump.

– AguynamedWayne

Hi Candis! It is so good to see the success you are enjoying right now. I was lucky enough to film a scene with you in Starrbooty (I was in the boardroom scene). And I was just blown away by you. I always thought you were gorgeous, but I didn’t know until then how great an actress you really were, or that you were so damn funny. This really seems to be your time. Why do you think it has all come together for you now?

Wow, I’m not really sure how the planets all aligned for me. I think that it’s been a long time coming, with just a lot of hard work and a ton of wishing upon a star. But more and more right now, trans roles are starting to pup up and I’m very thankful for that.

In the upcoming ABC series Dirty Sexy Money you play the recurring role of a transgender mistress to a character played by Billy Baldwin. Is it the first time a trans actress has played the part of a transgender character on a major network? Did you audition for the role, or was the part written for you?

I think that it’s the first time on a major network for a trans actress to play that type of role, but I’m not completely sure. I think it is, which is groundbreaking. I was recommended for the role by Patricial Field and Molly Rodgers. They did the wardrobe for the pilot. They called me and set up an audition with the casting department. I auditioned and than got a call back from executive producer and writer Craig Wright. A week later I got the final call saying I had the part. It was amazing news!

With the success of the movie Transamerica and Rebecca Romijn’s portrayal of a transgender woman on Ugly Betty, there seems to be a lot of curiosity about the trans community. Do you think that the curiosity we are seeing now, will result in more acceptance of transgender people by the mainstream culture?

I hope so. We are seeing it more and more. And I think it is important to show positive, happy, well-adjusted transgendered people in the media.

On the new show, you get to work along side Billy Baldwin! What’s that like?

He’s an amazing actor and a wonderful person! And he has been so supportive about my character. He’s great!

Okey dokey, next question. The first time I ever saw you, you were in RuPaul’s “A Little Bit of Love” music video (directed by World of Wonders’ own Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey). You were a gorgeous trio of Space Vixens! What was it like working with RuPaul again in Starrbooty?

Ru is so-o-o fun to work with! And it was a great experience doing the movie.

Do you still enjoy doing your live club performances, and do you plan to continue them?

I love them… And always.

Thanks Candis! You’re gorgeous!