Laverne Cox Sings 'Sweet Transvestite' from Rocky Horror

When Laverne Cox was first announced as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, reactions ranged from "perfect to horrible," with some fans wary of Cox, a trans woman, playing a "transvestite"--a person, usually a man, who "cross-dresses occasionally by habit or compulsion."

Cox, keenly aware of her role as an advocate for transgender rights and visibility, was sensitive to the implications of the song.

"I had a conversation [with director] Kenny [Ortega]. We talked about the word 'transvestite,'" Cox told Vanity Fair, saying it was an "antiquated term that trans folks certainly don't use" anymore. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is set in the '70s, when the term was more commonplace, but Cox was worried that identifying as "a sweet transvestite" would confuse today's audiences.

"Historically, the terms have changed [and] it doesn't mean the same thing today that it meant in the 70s," she explained. "It's not appropriate to refer to trans people as a transvestite [today], but it is [used here as] the character in that specific moment in history."

Semantics aside, Cox sounds like she's relishing the role of Frank-N-Furter, and while her vocals may leave a bit to be desired, she's got charisma for days. Check out "Sweet Transvestite" below: