*BET+’s latest original film, Fighting to Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story, delivers an emotional roller coaster, chronicling the true-life journey of former “Trap Queens” subject Dwen Curry.
The film, which premiered February 27 exclusively on BET+, stars Pose alum Dyllón Burnside, AJ Johnson, and DB Woodside. Burnside portrays Curry in a role that spans decades—tracing Curry’s evolution from a young gay man grappling with drug addiction in the 1990s to financial crimes and Hollywood before finally embracing her identity as a transgender woman and Oakland icon.
“It’s a story about somebody wanting to be loved,” Burnside shared with EUR. “At its core, it’s a love story about self-acceptance, resilience, and the journey to becoming the fullness of who you are.”
The film follows Dwen, capturing the duality of her glitz and gangster persona—balancing flashy fashion and a luxurious life as a celebrity stylist with the hidden world of credit card fraud and emotional trauma.
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“I actually got the offer before reading the script,” Burnside revealed. “But what attracted me to this project was Dwen’s incredible story—her resilience and power despite everything she faced. I was inspired.”
For Curry, who was deeply involved in the filmmaking process, watching her past unfold on screen was both affirming and triggering.
“I knew my story needed to be told,” she said. “But I didn’t expect the emotional toll it would take on me. Watching the scenes about my addiction, the prison time, getting shot—it took me all the way back.”
One particularly heartbreaking moment involved seeing her mother cry during a reenacted scene tied to her addiction. “My mother doesn’t cry. So seeing that brought back everything,” Dwen said tearfully. “But they captured it beautifully, and Dyllón? Baby, he shut it down.”
The casting of Burnside was initially met with hesitation. “I saw a few people and said, ‘They’re not going to be able to do it.’ But when they showed me Dyllón, I said, ‘Okay, let’s see.’ And he blew me away.”
Part of what made the story resonate was the behind-the-scenes collaboration between Burnside and Curry.
“She was there on set,” Burnside said. “I got to meet her mom, the real DJ… those firsthand stories gave the role so much more depth.”
Stream Fighting to Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story now exclusively on BET+.
Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. Follow her socials @StilettoJill or visit JillMunroe.com. Catch her live M-F on KBLA Talk 1580 from 6PM to 7PM.
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