From Lost Love to Laughter: How One Traumatic Experience Led to a Driving Dilemma
Laverne Cox is known for her trailblazing roles, including the iconic portrayal of Sophia Burset in Orange Is the New Black, and for her advocacy work that has made her a household name. Yet, there’s one surprising personal detail the actress has kept under wraps for years—her inability to drive. On a recent appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Cox opened up about the deeply personal reason she still doesn’t know how to get behind the wheel, revealing a traumatic yet relatable story tied to a devastating breakup.
A Breakup and a Busted Driving Test
Cox, who is well-known for her poise and professionalism in public, shared a humorous yet heartfelt recount of the pivotal moment that led to her driving aversion. During a particularly hectic June in 2019, Cox was juggling a busy schedule filled with Pride month events when her boyfriend at the time unexpectedly ended their relationship. In the aftermath, Cox found herself overwhelmed with emotion.
“I remember waking up in a puddle of tears, calling my therapist, and I was a wreck,” she shared with host Jennifer Hudson. Despite her emotional turmoil, Cox still had to push through the press commitments of the day, showing her resilience in the face of personal hardship. But the trauma didn’t end with the breakup. That day, she was also scheduled for a driving lesson—right before taking her official driving test.
Her instructor, undeterred by her emotional state, instructed her to drive on Fifth Avenue in New York City, right into the heart of rush-hour traffic. What followed was a scene straight out of a comedy sketch.
“I’m in the car on Fifth Avenue, and the teacher’s like, ‘Okay, now turn into the traffic.’ I see a big bus, it’s almost rush hour, and I was like, ‘I can’t do this… I’ll pay you for your time.’” Cox admitted, laughing as she recalled her decision to leave the lesson early. “I was that Viola Davis meme picking up the purse out of the back seat, and I just got out of the car. ‘I can’t do this.’”
Cox’s humorous take on the situation highlights a real vulnerability—a moment of emotional overwhelm that led to an understandable inability to face the daunting task of driving, given the emotional weight she was carrying.
A Career in Motion—Just Not Behind the Wheel
While she may not have a driver’s license, Cox has certainly driven her career forward in impressive ways. Born in Alabama, Cox became a trailblazer for the transgender community, becoming the first openly transgender performer to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 2014. The following year, she made history again as the first openly trans woman to win a Daytime Emmy for the documentary Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word.
Her latest project, Clean Slate, an Amazon Prime Video comedy about a trans daughter and her cis father navigating the complexities of gender transition, shows Cox’s continued ability to bring humor and heart to pivotal issues. Despite its lighthearted premise, Clean Slate touches on themes of love, family, and connection across generations—a reflection of Cox’s own journey toward understanding and healing.
In this series, Cox’s character, Desiree, often faces situations involving driving—an ironic twist, given Cox’s personal driving challenge. Reflecting on her character’s experiences, Cox joked about the parallels to her own life: “Sometimes you have a breakup, and you have to work. [But] there is no way with the trauma of the breakup could I get behind the wheel of the car and kill myself or somebody else. I guess that’s a good excuse.”
Cox’s candid reflection on her emotional journey underscores the larger theme of her career—a commitment to vulnerability, authenticity, and healing. And while she may still not be comfortable behind the wheel, she has certainly taken control of the narrative of her life and career.
A Symbol of Strength and Resilience
Despite this personal challenge, Cox remains an inspiration, showing that even in moments of emotional distress, it’s okay to acknowledge your limits. Her ability to laugh at herself while still addressing deep personal experiences reveals a vulnerability that resonates with many. For Cox, her story isn’t just about one driving lesson gone awry; it’s about learning how to navigate the complex terrain of life’s challenges with humor, grace, and resilience.
Laverne Cox may not have a driver’s license, but she’s undoubtedly driving change in the entertainment industry and beyond. Her story serves as a reminder that sometimes, it’s okay to hit pause and take a different path—whether on the road or in life. The journey toward healing and growth doesn’t always follow a straight line, but with courage, honesty, and the support of those around you, it’s possible to steer toward a brighter future.
Conclusion: Learning to Drive Through Life’s Challenges
While Laverne Cox’s struggle with driving may be amusing in retrospect, it represents something far deeper than just a missed driving lesson. It’s a reminder that we all experience moments of doubt, frustration, and emotional turmoil, but it’s how we move forward from them that defines our journey. Cox continues to break barriers both on-screen and off, showing that the road to healing, growth, and success is one of constant reinvention—and that sometimes, it’s okay to take the scenic route.
