Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage.comCould Candis Cayne become the first transsexual Emmy winner?
Come Sept. 26, she’ll definitely have a shot at it. Cayne pops up in the new ABC prime-time drama Dirty Sexy Money playing Carmelita, the secret transsexual lover of a U.S. senator, played by William Baldwin.
“It’s kind of funny that I was here [in Los Angeles] last weekend for the Emmys, because I remember last year sitting and watching the Emmy Awards and I was almost a little depressed,” Cayne told me during a break from shooting the series yesterday. “Like, Wow, I’ve always wanted that since I was little, and I’ve always want to experience that. And so, maybe now that could happen one day.”
The series centers around the Darlings, a superwealthy New York family. In addition to Baldwin, it stars Peter Krause, Donald Sutherland, Jill Clayburgh and Samaire Armstrong.
Patricia Field, the iconic wardrobe stylist from Sex and the City, was working on Dirty’s pilot when she suggested producers consider Cayne for the part. After an audition and just one callback, Cayne was on board.
“I got to the first table reading, and it’s, like, Donald Sutherland, Jill Clayburgh, Peter Krause and Billy Baldwin sitting there,” Cayne says. “I walk in, and they all look up, and Craig [Wright, the show’s creator] is like, ‘Sit down, Candis!’ And I was like, ‘Oh, my holy God!’”
Cayne, who was born Brendan McDaniel, grew up in Hawaii. Even before she decided to transition from a man to a woman about 10 years ago, she was a local celeb in New York’s gay community for her drag act. (Back when I lived in NYC, I’d often catch her Saturday-night show at a restaurant on lower Sixth Avenue. Dressed in a Wonder Woman-inspired outfit, she would stop traffic—literally—by dancing into the middle of the busy street. At least once, Cayne even jumped into a cab and took off, leaving the audience wondering if she’d return. She did a few minutes later, stepping out of the cab—and without missing a beat—dancing right back into the restaurant.)
She says Baldwin couldn’t be nicer. “He is so amazing,” she says. “So sweet and generous and open to this whole new world. He’s just really giving and made me feel really comfortable.”
Well, they better be comfortable with each other, because Cayne and Baldwin do have some steamy moments together. “There are a lot of love scenes,” Cayne says with a laugh.
So, how does Baldwin rate as a kisser? “Well, it’s an acting kiss,” she says with another laugh. “For acting kisses, he’s great.”
How long will she be on the series? “I have no idea,” Cayne says. “I’m not on contract. I’m doing weekly. So, basically, I just wait and read the script and hope for the best and hope that there are no J.R. Ewing moments in there.”
Cayne lives in New Jersey with her boyfriend, DJ Marco. But she’s also making herself at home on Hollywood red carpets. On Tuesday, she and Baldwin walked arm in arm at The Advocate magazine’s 40th anniversary party at L.A.’s Republic restaurant. Other attendees included Cayne and Baldwin’s fellow ABC stars T.R. Knight and Katherine Heigl, funnylady actress Jane Lynch, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Heather Matarazzo, Wilson Cruz, Nikki Blonsky and Amanda Bynes.
Next up, Sunday’s Bulgari jewelers-hosted VIP screening and party for Dirty at Paramount Studios. “I have a couple of Marc Bouwer dresses to try on,” Cayne says. “He’s so good to me. Anytime I need anything he sends it to me.”
Spoken like a true Hollywood starlet.