Power Rangers Star Responds To Playing Franchise's First LGBTQ+ Ranger

Power Rangers Dino Fury not only introduced a new team of Power Rangers, the series also marked the introduction of the first LGBTQ+ Ranger in the franchise's history.

And Tessa Rao, who plays the game-changing character, is very proud to be a part of it.

The latest Power Rangers series follows a team of Mighty Morphin' heroes fueled by the pre-historic power of the dinosaurs and tasked with fighting the threat of an alien army.

As Digital Spy writes, opening up about her role in the Netflix series and the significance of playing an LGBTQ+ Ranger, Tessa Rao told ComicBook.com: “It means so much. It's definitely this representation. This story is what made me, and continues to make me want to do this job.”

Explaining why the storyline about Izzy Garcia – the Dino Fury Green Ranger – and her sexuality is so important, the young actress called the recognition “powerful.”

“One of the most powerful things that we can do as performers is tell the stories of people that haven't been told either at all or correctly or enough, and there are a lot of stories like that out there, not just this one,” she said.

“I don't think that it's the only part of Izzy that's important, I think it's just part of her identity, but I also can totally respect and appreciate how big of a moment this is, and I'm really proud. I just feel so proud to be a part of it.”

Despite the responsibility of leading a Power Rangers first, Tessa was initially more concerned with having to cut her hair for her role. “I didn't realize either that it was the first in the TV history,” she admitted.

“So, I assumed it was probably quite a big deal, but I think for me that actually, the scarier part was having to cut my hair…”

Rao soon realized the “weight” of greater representation, though, saying: “It wasn't like, 'Oh my goodness, I'm going to have to play this character,' but then once it started happening, and I started really realizing the weight of it, I was like, 'Oh wow, this is such an honor. I'm so lucky to get to have this opportunity.’”

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