BET+ is delving into the double life of Dwen Curry with a new true crime biopic, “Fighting To Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story.” Dyllón Burnside, known for his role in FX’s “Pose,” will portray Curry, a celebrity stylist who led a secret life of criminal activity.
The film chronicles Curry’s journey from a difficult childhood in Detroit to her rise as a sought-after stylist in Oakland. There, she crafted looks for high-profile clients, including LisaRaye McCoy and Mariah Carey, all while orchestrating an elaborate fraud scheme. This story of hidden identity and survival examines the pressures and complexities that drove Curry’s actions.
“Fighting To Be Me” explores Curry’s experience as a transgender woman, her search for self-acceptance, and the challenges she encountered along the way. The film also features D.B. Woodside and A.J. Johnson in supporting roles, further enriching the narrative.
Curry’s story initially gained attention on the BET+ unscripted series “American Gangster: Trap Queens.” This new biopic, written by La Jill Hunt, provides a deeper exploration of her life, motivations, and the consequences of her choices, culminating in her conviction for wire fraud and subsequent imprisonment.
Joe Carroll directs the project, which comes from MegaMind Media, the production company behind the NAACP Image Award-nominated “First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story.” Tressa Azarel Smallwood, Judge Greg Mathis, Dwen Curry, Donte Lee, and Delece James serve as executive producers.
