Queer History: A conversation on the inspiring and powerful journey of the life and career of trans actor Darwin Del Fabro

Excerpt from Interview by Stephenie Magister

Brazilian trans actor Darwin Del Fabro made her professional debut in the musical Era no tempo do rei. She starred in, produced, and directed the musical Be Careful, It's My Heart, which was also adapted into an album. In 2015, Del Fabro started a production company, by the name of Madalena Production. Since then, she’s starred in a number of stage productions, released further albums, and starred in the slasher film They/Them with Kevin Bacon and numerous other non-binary and trans actors.

Join us below for a powerful conversation on the evolution of her life and career.

Interview

1. Where do you fall on the queer spectrum?

My journey has been one of profound personal discovery. After spending 28 years concealing aspects of myself, I have fully embraced my identity through transformative experiences. I fall under the transgender spectrum, having undergone gender-affirming surgery to align my body with my truth. But above all, I am a woman. I am a human being. I am Darwin—constantly evolving, always with empathy at the core of my journey.

2. What do we need to understand about your story as a person?

My story is one of resilience, authenticity, and connection. It is a journey of self-discovery, navigating societal expectations and personal challenges to become the person I was always meant to be. Vulnerability and courage define my path, and I believe self-discovery is an ongoing process—just like my name suggests, I am always evolving.

3. Take us back to the moment you first realized you could succeed in your career. Where were you? What were you doing? Who were you with? Why was that moment so important?

Success, to me, is the ability to live authentically. It’s a long process of unlearning societal constructs and rebuilding life through my own lens. That realization became clear the day I fully embraced my identity after my surgery in a small Brazilian town. Surrounded by my family, I felt a profound sense of purpose and validation, knowing that my life and career could thrive together—that being my true self was not a limitation, but my greatest strength.

Read the full interview on the Queer History Substack