Laverne Cox Channels Beyonce & More for 'Cosmopolitan'

Laverne Cox channels Beyoncé, Tina Turner, and model Tracey ‘Africa’ Norman in this new photo shoot for Cosmopolitan‘s October 2016 issue.

Here’s what the 32-year-old Rocky Horror Picture Show star had to share:

On Beyoncé, contemporary R&B queen: “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.”

On Tina Turner, rock & roll legend: “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. ”

On Tracey Africa, trailblazing model: “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.”

For more from Laverne, visit Cosmopolitan.com.