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Laverne Cox Details the Journey to Finding Her True Identity in Untold Sneak Peek—Watch Now!

Orange Is the New Black star opens up to Maria Menounos about her transition from male to female

By Mike Vulpo Oct 30, 2014 1:03 AMTags
Watch: Laverne Cox's Quest to Finding Her True Identity

Laverne Cox is living her best life.

As the first transgender person to cover Time magazine and receive an Emmy nomination, the Orange Is the New Black star has broken barriers and inspired the LGBT community.

But in a new interview on Thursday's Untold With Maria Menounos, the 30-year-old actress opens up about her sometimes challenging childhood and her quest to discover her true self.

Growing up in Mobile, Ala., with a single mother and an identical twin brother, Cox admits her peers weren't always the nicest.

"I was bullied and chased home from school everyday by groups of kids," she shared with Menounos. "I saw the bullying as very shaming." 

Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic

 All of this was happening as Cox was trying to understand her identity.

"I mean, I always liked boys," she admitted. "But me needing to express myself was so much about my gender."

Once the decision was finally made to transition, Cox was overwhelmed with the support from her immediate family. After getting a simple, "Okay, cool" reaction from his twin brother, the actress got even more support from her mom.

VIDEO: Laverne Cox opens up about her love life 

"It wasn't an issue," she shared. "My mom has loved me unconditionally. I've never not had a relationship with mom."

She added, "Life has not been easy, but I feel very blessed."

For more on transgender in Hollywood including Cox's story, watch Untold With Maria Menounos on Thursday night at 8 p.m. only on  E!