Beyond the Gates fans know Karla Mosley for her formidable turn as Dani Dupree, but she first made waves and history on The Bold and the Beautiful as Maya Avant, the soap’s first trans lead character. The storyline that introduced a new element to Maya’s identity came years after Mosley made her debut. It shifted Maya’s backstory and placed the daytime drama into uncharted territory. It also changed the actress’ life.
The Lessons Karla Mosley Learned Through Soap Roles
Mosley opened up about playing Maya on September 9’s episode of the Soapy podcast hosted by Greg Rikaart and Rebecca Budig. When asked what she learned from having roles on three major soaps, she took a moment to reflect on how they’ve shaped who she is as an actress and woman.
She got her start on Guiding Light as the pre-med student Christina, who would later marry Remy Boudreau (Lawrence Saint-Victor). The actress referred to it as her “baby” role because she was learning about the TV business at the time. It’s given her a lifelong friendship with Saint-Victor.
Dani has allowed Mosley to play so much with the material written for her. She described the diva as “360,” acknowledging the totality of the space Dani embodies in herself and the world. Dani is a role Mosley admitted she couldn’t have played 10 years ago, but becoming a mother and fully embodying who she is now gave her the experience to play her.
However, it’s Maya who seems to have made the greatest impact on Mosley personally. When speaking about what she learned from the character, she shared the following:
Maya…it makes me emotional. That storyline of her disclosing that she’s trans was so powerful and just changed me in so many ways. I always reference Janet Mock’s book, Redefining Realness, which is what I read and sort of used as my Bible during that time. She spoke not only as a trans woman but also as a Black trans woman just about what it means to be real. It had such a profound impact on me. My life, my relationship changed, everything changed as I began to step into—and experience through Maya—what it means to be real. And what it means to say out loud, “I never thought I could be loved as I am,” and to have someone then love her. So that was just a beautiful, powerful experience.
Being True To Maya’s Story
As a cisgender woman, Mosley knew it wasn’t “entirely appropriate” for her to play Maya. But she also knew the story wouldn’t be told if she declined the storyline when it was offered. It was 2015. While trans people, particularly trans women, were in the spotlight because of Janet Mock, Laverne Cox, and Caitlyn Jenner, storylines featuring trans characters in prominent roles were few and far between in the media.
It was early days in the gains for trans representation, which is why Mosley believes she didn’t receive much pushback for the role. She also credited being clear that she didn’t have all the answers, directing folks to those who did, insisting trans actors be a part of the storyline, and making a point of going on Mock’s MSNBC show, So Popular!, to talk about her experience playing Maya. Mosley mentioned Cox saw her talk with Mock and seemed to give her seal of approval which meant a lot to Mosley and she hoped to the trans community, too.
Though Karla Mosley has no intention of reprising the role, Maya Avant was a career-defining character. The first of what will so far make two history-making portrayals in daytime soaps. Mosley will make her return to B&B this fall in a crossover with BTG.
