BET+ is expanding its true crime slate with Fighting To Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story, a new biopic starring Pose actor Dyllón Burnside, 9-1-1: Lone Star’s D.B. Woodside, and A.J. Johnson from Baby Boy. The film, a collaboration with MegaMind Media, brings to life the complex story of Dwen Curry, first introduced to BET+ audiences through the unscripted hit series American Gangster: Trap Queens.
Written by La Jill Hunt, the true crime drama is based on Curry’s real-life experiences as a gay celebrity stylist who secretly built a multimillion-dollar underground criminal empire while navigating the violent streets of Oakland. Born during Detroit’s tumultuous 1960s riots and raised amid the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s, Curry’s story touches on themes of identity, survival, and self-acceptance.
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According to BET+, the official synopsis highlights Curry’s journey: “Detroit native Dwen Curry moves to Oakland, California as a teen in the early 90s and overcomes depression, suicidal thoughts, and drug addiction. There, Curry finds success as a salon owner and celebrity stylist to stars like LisaRaye McCoy, Mariah Carey, YoYo, Missy Elliott, and DMX. However, driven by the desire for a lavish lifestyle and a need to support loved ones, Dwen becomes the criminal mastermind of an underground group called the Gay Gangsters, amassing millions through fraud.”
The story further explores Curry’s struggles with sexuality, gender identity, and societal pressures. As Dwen rises in the world of celebrity styling, the duality of success and crime leads to a downfall, resulting in a prison sentence for wire fraud. Despite this, the biopic frames Curry’s journey as one of resilience, showing her ultimate triumph in embracing her truth and authenticity as a transgender woman.
Behind the scenes, Fighting To Be Me boasts a strong creative team. Executive producers include Tressa Azarel Smallwood, Judge Greg Mathis, Dwen Curry, Donte Lee, and Delece James, with Joe Carroll directing. Vanda Lee, Kristin Iris Johnson, and Smallwood produce the film for MegaMind Media.
This marks the second biopic to emerge from the American Gangster: Trap Queens series. The first, First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story, also executive produced by Smallwood and Mathis, received critical recognition, earning two NAACP Image Award nominations in 2024, including Outstanding Original Television Movie and Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie for Vivica A. Fox.