Michaela Jaé Rodriguez Still Hasn’t Unboxed Her Golden Globe After 2022 Win: 'Imposter Syndrome Is Very Real' (Exclusive)

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez may be making history, but she remains humble.

In an exclusive interview for this week’s PEOPLE at 10, Pose star, 33, sits down to discuss her upcoming music, Pride Month and recent acting projects. As the first transgender woman to receive a prime-time Emmy nomination and a 2022 Golden Globe for Best Actress, Rodriguez has had a lot of life over the past few years.

“I would say that looking back and finally getting a chance to talk to my younger self, I would probably encourage them,” she says. “But more than anything, warn them. Like, just prepare yourself for what’s coming, because it’s going to be big, it’s going to be great, it’s a big responsibility, but you can do it and more.”

Michael Jaé Rodriguez.

Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty

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When she looks back at all her achievements, the singer admits that she did not fully understand the weight of her success. She discovers that her record-breaking Golden Globe is still lying in a box somewhere waiting to be put on display two years later.

“I haven’t taken it out of the box yet,” admits Rodriguez. “I was so stunned that I even got the award that I didn’t take the time to really get into the seriousness of how important it is and how historic it is.”

She adds: “I just keep it in the box just to keep it modest, but now I think it’s time to put it up there.”

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Rodriguez says part of the reason she can’t give herself credit is her “impostor syndrome,” which is a condition where someone feels doubt and anxiety about whether they really deserve their accomplishments.

“It’s a big thing that I still struggle with,” she explains. “I always try to fight myself. I’m always trying to be better, when in reality, I think obviously, we should always take a little time to smell the roses.”

Michael Jaé Rodriguez.

Monica Schipper/Getty

The Spoil the actress admits she doesn’t stop often enough to smell the roses because she’s always focused on how she can do more. This prevents her from being able to give herself credit for what she has already done.

“I’m always trying to figure out what’s the next thing that needs to happen to influence a group of people to feel better, to feel uplifted,” she says. “But I also realize that I’m only one person and I can’t do everything. Impostor syndrome is a very real thing. I’m working on it.”

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Although she likes to give to others, she reveals that there is one person she has worked with American Horror Story whose advice she really appreciates: Emma Roberts.

“We both have boyfriends and talk about our boyfriends in an obviously positive light, and we’ve given each other some good advice, so I’d definitely take some of her advice,” she says.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (left) and Emma Roberts (right).

Stefanie Keenan/Getty; Michael Buckner/WWD/Getty

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Her next big step is an album coming out later this year. On Thursday, June 13, her first song from the collection, titled “I Am” — was released — six years in the making, and Rodriguez says it’s the perfect song for Pride month.

“It was a long process, a wonderful process, but a long one,” he laughs. “I feel like this is the representation I’ve always wanted for the album that’s coming out.”

He describes his upcoming music as “new”, “innovative” and “something we’ve never heard before”.

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Source: HIS Education