Trans-rights activist, actress and red carpet star, Laverne Cox paid tribute to her personal super heroines in the October issue of Cosmopolitan. She plays the lead of in the Rocky Horror Picture Show reboot, airing on on October 20 on Fox. The looks that Tony-winning costume designer William Ivey Long made for her must have gotten her transformation juices flowing. She literally becomes Tina Turner, Beyoncé and pioneering trans model, Tracey Africa (read more about Tracey Africa in the is fantastic story in New York magazine.) The camera of photographer Ruven Afanador captured all three, plus her Leontyne Price & Josephine Baker. Check out the prep work in the video below.

TINA TURNER
rock ‘n roll legend, born 1939

“The pain, pleasure, and agony of all she’s been through is in her voice. Her story is the story of so many black women who’ve endured abuse and come out the other side in such a brilliant, beautiful way.“

TRACEY AFRICA
trailblazing model, born 1951

“She was a black trans woman who modeled in the ’70s, and had cosmetics deals and a hair contract with Clairol — it was a big deal. People think, ‘Oh, this trans revolution is just starting,’ but we’ve been around for a very long time. It’s important to know that there’s been a path blazed for me.“

BEYONCÉ
Queen B, born 1981

“Beyoncé represents excellence. Her work ethic is like nobody else I’ve ever seen. There were so many moments when I was shooting Rocky Horror, and I’d be exhausted. My body would be hurting, and I’d be like, ‘Beyoncé. Beyoncé does this.’ You have to just put in the work.“

(Photos, Ruven Afanador; via Cosmopolitan)