Filipina-American Actress & Transgender Representation Advocate; Known for "When We Rise" & "Lingua Franca"

New York, NY, USA
Live Event: $5,000 - $10,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info

Ivory Aquino Biography

Ivory Aquino is a Filipina-American actress recognized for her contributions to transgender representation in Hollywood. Aquino moved to the United States as a teenager to study at Berklee College of Music, initially focusing on singing due to limited acting opportunities for transgender Filipinas. She graduated summa cum laude and, after undergoing gender confirmation surgery, pursued her passion for acting. Aquino performed as Juliet in a production of "Romeo and Juliet" in New York City with The Drilling Company's Bryant Park Presents, marking a significant early stage role that led to further opportunities in television and film.

Aquino portrayed transgender activist Cecilia Chung in the docudrama miniseries "When We Rise." Prior to this role, she had primarily played cisgender characters and had not publicly identified as transgender. Aquino disclosed her identity to series writer Dustin Black, which aligned with the production's commitment to authentic casting. She publicly came out as transgender during a press conference for the series. Aquino met with Chung to prepare for the role, and their relationship developed into a mentorship. Her performance earned a nomination for Best Actress at the POZ Awards for her representation of HIV/AIDS issues, and contributed to the series receiving the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Limited Series.

Aquino continued to expand her body of work with a supporting role in Isabel Sandoval's film "Lingua Franca," which explores the experiences of an undocumented Filipino trans woman in New York. She also appeared in the crime drama miniseries "When They See Us," depicting the Central Park Five case, and played Cassie in the "FBI: Most Wanted" episode "Silkworm."

Aquino was cast as Alysia Yeoh, the first openly transgender character in a live-action DC movie, in the superhero film "Batgirl." The character, a trans woman and roommate of Barbara Gordon, was introduced in the "Batgirl" comics by writer Gail Simone and artist Ardian Syaf. Although the film was ultimately shelved before release, Aquino addressed criticism by emphasizing the script's authentic diversity.

In addition to her acting career, Aquino is an advocate for transgender rights and visibility. She has spoken in support of trans children and criticized policy changes affecting transgender students. Aquino's openness about her personal journey and the challenges she has faced has contributed to increased visibility and representation for transgender individuals in the entertainment industry.

BOOK Ivory Aquino

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 07/17/2026.

Ivory Aquino Speaking Topics

  • Transcending Adversity with a Thrive Mentality: My Story Breaking into Hollywood as a Transgender Immigrant

    • Stories are both personal and universal. Come with me on a narrative rollercoaster ride as I share the journey of my personal odyssey, growing up as a bullied queer kid in a very conservative Philippines, to finding success in mainstream Hollywood. From booking the biggest job of my career in a DC superhero movie, to facing devastation with 'Batgirl' being unreleased, and discovering it was the biggest blessing. Let me share the golden nuggets of wisdom I've learned that have illuminated what truly matters in this life.

  • No Such Thing as Chance: (Generational Legacy)

    How US President Theodore Roosevelt spared my General Grandfather and thus, Saved my Life and Restored Democracy to the Philippines nearly a Century Later.

    • I was named after my grandfather, a general in the Philippine Revolutionary Army. Because he was pardoned by President Roosevelt from death row, democracy was restored to the Philippines nearly a century later, via the unsolved assassination of my first cousin Ninoy Aquino, and the People Power Revolution that was sparked by his death, leading to the presidency of his widow Corazon Aquino. The magnitude of their legacy has stayed with me and has fueled a desire to be a social activist for my marginalized communities here in the United States and around the world.

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Ivory Aquino Videos

Writers Guild of America West's 2018 Valentine Davies Award

Writers Guild of America West's 2018 Valentine Davies Award

Screenwriter and LGBTQ rights activist Dustin Lance Black (Milk, When We Rise) receives the Writers Guild of America West's 2018 Valentine Davies...

  • How do I book Ivory Aquino to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Ivory Aquino for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Ivory Aquino, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Ivory Aquino or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Ivory Aquino

    Speaking fees for Ivory Aquino, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Ivory Aquino are under $10,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Ivory Aquino, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Ivory Aquino speak about?

    Ivory Aquino is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Actor, Asian & Pacific Heritage, Civil Rights, Government, Immigration, Influential Women, Inspirational, LGBTQ, Motivational, Music, Resilience, Social Activism, Television & Film, Women
  • Where does Ivory Aquino travel from?

    Ivory Aquino generally travels from New York, NY, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Ivory Aquino’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Ivory Aquino for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Ivory Aquino for your next private or corporate function.
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Ivory Aquino is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Transcending Adversity with a Thrive Mentality: My Story Breaking into Hollywood as a Transgender Immigrant, No Such Thing as Chance: (Generational Legacy), Acting: Going from the Theatre to the World of Film & Television, and Back., Yes, I'm Asian: Living Half my Life in Asia as part of the Majority, and Half my Life in America as part of the Minority. and Passing Privilege: My Experience Being Perceived as a Heteronormative Cisgender Woman, and the Repercussions on my Responsibility as a Queer Transgender Woman. The estimated speaking fee range to book Ivory Aquino for your event is available upon request. Ivory Aquino generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Janet Mock, Naila Amin, Shreya Patel, Cynthia Erivo and Angelica Ross. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Ivory Aquino for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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