Before her defining role as Sofia in "Orange is the New Black", Laverne always kept a special place is her heart for the art that is performing. Her love for performing began when she was just eight years old. From there she studied dance and was in numerous dance recitals and talent shows throughout her childhood. "[Her] childhood was filled with dreams of fame and performing in television and movies, and on Broadway and the great stages of the world." During college was when she first realized that acting was what she was ultimately destined to do despite the fact that she had chosen to major in dance. After seeing Candis Cayne make her television debut, she was inspired. Inspired enough to create postcards saying, "Laverne Cox is the answer to all your acting needs." and send them to numerous casting directors and agents. Unfortunately this only led to a few meetings, only four to be exact. But nevertheless, she persisted and in 2012 she took on the role of the role that drastically changed her life; Sofia on "Orange is the New Black".