What do Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj and Khia have in common? Besides being queens in their respective arenas, all three ladies have featured Madison Hinton on their projects. Madison, affectionately referred to as Ts Madison or “Maddie,” is one of the most outspoken voices in the trans community. Her spitfire personality, slick humor and authentic energy have earned her an audience outside of LGBTQIA+ community, making her one of the most celebrated trans women in pop culture. After a vine video showing her augmented body went viral in 2013, Madison became a sensation.
After being repeatedly fired for being a trans woman, Madison began dabbling in sex work. Madison believes she was destined to be an entrepreneur and her own boss from early on. Because of her distaste for corporate culture and the lack of support for her trans identity, she ended up experimenting and then embracing sex work because it provided financial freedom. Due to her creativity and understanding of social media, Madison was able to leave the porn industry for a social media platform with crossover appeal. She inserted herself into the social media conversation ahead of the trend with the wildly popular “Queens Court” with rapper Khia, and a few years later in 2021, “The Ts Madison Experience” made her the first Black trans woman to star in her own reality show.
“I get on the internet and I just share me,” Madison says.
Her audience looks forward to her forthrightness, which is why fans were anxious to hear Madison’s response to a recent viral conversation centered on cisgender — people whose gender identity corresponds with the sex assigned at birth — and trans women with Jess Hilarious and trans TikTok creator Blessing Rose. After Hilarious blasted Rose’s suggestion that cis women didn’t own the rights to menstrual cycles, Madison entered the discussion to provide perspective supporting the trans community but also connecting with cis women. Madison threw a little shade at Hilarious suggesting some biological women are jealous of trans women because some of them look more feminine. But after the conversation continued, Madison extended an olive branch proclaiming she would no longer refer to women as cis.
“I’m not trying to take away any woman’s right to be a woman. I’m frustrated. I’m hurt. All I’m trying to do is exist,” Madison shared. “I came from a Black woman. I was raised by Black women. I know the plight and the struggle of Black women. My fan base is largely Black women. They fight tooth and nail for me and I do the same for them. For me to get called mentally unstable, or saying who stands up for Black women? It upsets me.”
The social media conversation continued to gain momentum over several weeks, ending with Madison conceding she would no longer refer to women as cis because of the reaction many of them have to the term. Even after the provocative exchange with Hilarious and standing up for the trans community, Madison proved once again that she is an advocate of cisgender and trans women and her ultimate purpose is to unite them.
“Even though I understand what it means and I know the definition and reasons for its use, I’m not battling a war on education and I’m keepin’ it simple!” Madison says. “I have decided that I’m going to remove that reference when I’m talking about biological women. There are too many real important issues to be focused on … but I understand what cis means. It means on the same side of, the opposite of trans.”
Madison’s ability to empathize outside of her personal perspective is one that continues to push her into the limelight across multiple platforms and communities. In 2019 she was honored as one of Out magazine’s 100 most influential people. In 2022, she won a WOWIE award for most viral moment; and in 2023, she thanked Beyoncé publicly for including her vocals on her Grammy-winning Renaissance album on the track, “Cozy.”
Madison’s star continues to rise and her fan base is a collective of trans and cis women and men who appreciate her honesty and her dedication and commitment to pushing the culture forward regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Madison created numerous opportunities for herself in the face of adversity. Her current state is in full alignment with the lyrics of Beyoncé’s song.
Comfortable in my skin
Feet up above your sins
I love myself, godd—
Cozy, cozy
Photography by Hollywood Ced
