Domaine Javier

Domaine Javier
Javier in May 2024
Born1987 (age 38–39)
Philippines
EducationRiverside City College (AA, AS)
Western Governors University (BS, MS)
United States University (MS) University of Central Arkansas (DNP)
OccupationsActress, TV Personality, Advanced Practice Nurse
Years active2011–present

Domainlor Javier Cabading (born 1987) is a Filipino-American actress, advanced practice nurse, and TV personality. She came to prominence after appearing on the MTV show True Life and being expelled by and suing California Baptist University over her right to study nursing there as a transgender woman.

Early life and education

Javier is of Filipina, White, Spanish, Pacific Islander, Native American, and Chinese heritage, but mostly identifies as Filipina. Domaine was born in the Philippines in 1987 and emigrated to the USA in 2007.

She has publicly identified as female since she was 13, and graduated valedictorian from high school despite bullying.

She attended Riverside City College, where she was chosen Homecoming queen in 2010. In 2011, she was to have transferred in the fall to California Baptist University, also in Riverside, to study nursing on academic and music scholarships, when an April episode of the MTV reality series True Life based on a year in her life led the university to accuse her of fraud for stating her gender as female on her application; she was suspended and then expelled.

She continued her studies at Riverside City College and became a registered nurse. In 2013, she received the Kaiser Permanente Nursing Scholarship Award via eQuality Scholarship Collaborative for her service to the LGBTQ+ community.

In 2013, she sued California Baptist University for unlawful discrimination under the California Unruh Civil Rights Act and breach of contract; in July 2014, a judge ruled that as a private religious institution, the college was entitled to exclude transgender people from in-person classes, but that it must not discriminate against them in its for-profit businesses and services open to the public, including online classes, and awarded her $4,000 in damages plus costs. The breach of contract suit was rejected on procedural grounds.

In November 2022, Javier was congressionally-recognized by the United States House of Representatives for her outstanding achievements and contributions to the community.

Academic degrees

Javier has earned the following academic degrees:

In May 2026, Javier announced her pursuit of an eleventh degree at Sogang University..

Performing career

In November 2011, Javier appeared in an edition of Anderson Cooper's talk show, Anderson Live, on transgender youth.

In June 2020, she was a contestant in the 20th season of Worst Cooks in America, the first openly transgender woman to appear on the Food Network. Under the mentorship of Chef Anne Burrell, Javier finished in 5th place. She returned in 2021 in the companion series Worst Cooks in America: Dirty Dishes, in which favorite former recruits watch past episodes of the show and react to them. She also competed on the first-ever all-stars season of Worst Cooks in America titled "Best of the Worst", in which fan-favorite recruits from past seasons returned for another shot at redemption. The show premiered on April 25, 2021, and concluded on May 30, 2021. Javier finished as the finalist for Chef Michael Symon's Blue Team and ultimately placed as the runner-up.

As an actress, she appeared in a 2013 episode of Adam Devine's House Party titled "Front Yard Comedy" and was cast as Sü, the lead character in The Switch, a comedy series that became the first television series produced and directed by a transgender person and with all transgender roles played by transgender actors. However, because it was a Canadian production that requires certain rules and regulations, the role eventually had to be recast.

She has also played small roles in a number of other TV series and feature films, including the 2015 horror short Lucid Dark.

Most recently, in 2024, Javier portrayed Starling "Star" Smith in the feature film Another Day in America, a comedy-drama centered on an ensemble of characters navigating workplace dynamics and contemporary social issues. In a published review, her performance was described as effectively blending humor with emotional depth. The film received the Indie Spirit Award of Excellence in Filmmaking at the Boston International Film Festival.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2014 Captain America: The Winter Soldier ER Nurse Feature film
2015 Lucid Dark Nurse Barnes Short film
2017 Dismissed High School Teacher Feature film
2024 Another Day in America Starling "Star" Smith Feature film

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2011 True Life Herself Episode: "I'm Passing"
2011 Anderson Live Herself Episode: "Children & Teens Trapped in the Wrong Body"
2012 True Life Herself Episode: "Then and Now"
2013 True Life Herself Episode: "True Life's Greatest Moments Ever"
2013 Adam DeVine's House Party Annie's Bestie Episode: "Front Yard Comedy"
2014 Parenthood Frat Girl Episode: "The Enchanting Mr. Knight"
2014 Mike & Molly Bar Patron Episode: "Rich Man, Poor Girl"
2014 Revenge Opera Attendee Episode: "Disgrace"
2014 Perception Nurse 2 episodes
2014 The Bridge Prison Nurse Episode: "The Acorn"
2016 Angie Tribeca Library Patron Episode: "Commissioner Bigfish"
2016 The Switch Sü Teaser Pilot
2017 Game Shakers Wedding Guest Episode: "Wedding Shower of Doom"
2020 Worst Cooks in America Herself 5 episodes (5th place)
2021 Worst Cooks in America: Dirty Dishes Herself 8 episodes
2021 Worst Cooks in America: Best of the Worst Herself 6 episodes (runner-up)
2022 Kenan Dr. Anna Siciliano Episode: "Destroying Miami"

References

  1. 1 2 Cabral, Leo (March 11, 2021). "RCC Alumna Domaine Javier discusses her struggles and successes throughout her life". Viewpoints. Riverside City College. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  2. 1 2 @domainejavier; (July 18, 2025). "Post by Domaine Javier featuring image 19 from carousel (accessed via Instagram)". Retrieved August 8, 2025 – via Instagram.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. 1 2 3 @domainejavier; (May 3, 2026). "Post by Domaine Javier (University of Central Arkansas DNP)". Retrieved May 4, 2026 – via Instagram.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ↑ "New CCHP" (PDF). www.ncchc.org. Certified Correctional Health Professional. April 1, 2024.
  5. ↑ Journal, A. B. A. "Transgender student and Baptist college both claim victory in lawsuit over expulsion". ABA Journal.
  6. ↑ "Doomed Dinners". Worst Cooks in America. June 12, 2020. Event occurs at 10:30. Food Network. Archived from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Reggie Myers (July 19, 2014). "What to Watch: The Switch". Vada. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Courts, legislature consider key transgender rights issues" (PDF). www.dwt.com. May 13, 2013.
  9. ↑ "RIVERSIDE: Cal Baptist wins on most claims in suit by transgender student". July 11, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Transgender Student Says School Kicked Her Out For Being A Him - CBS Los Angeles". www.cbsnews.com. October 31, 2011.
  11. 1 2 Jeff Nguyen (October 31, 2011). "Transgender Student Says School Kicked Her Out For Being A Him". Los Angeles: KCAL-TV. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  12. 1 2 Lila Shapiro (February 2, 2016) [February 27, 2013]. "Domaine Javier, Transgender Student, Sues University That Expelled Her For 'Fraud'". Huffpost. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  13. 1 2 3 Samuel Finch (October 6, 2011). "One standout to make a difference". Viewpoints. Riverside City College. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Rasheeda Campbell (July 2020). "Worst Cooks in America: Domaine Javier makes history on Food Network". Reality Titbit. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  15. 1 2 "I'm Passing as Someone I'm Not". True Life. MTV. April 9, 2011. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  16. 1 2 Emma Margolin (April 25, 2014). "Transgender woman sues Christian university that expelled her". MSNBC. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  17. 1 2 Katie McDonough (May 28, 2013). "Transgender student sues Baptist university that expelled her". Salon. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  18. 1 2 Brian Rokos (July 11, 2014). "Riverside: Cal Baptist wins on most claims in suit by transgender student". The Press Enterprise. Riverside, California. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  19. ↑ "2013 eQuality Scholars". eQuality Scholarship Collaborative. equalityscholarship.org. 2013. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  20. ↑ "California Riverside". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. February 28, 2013. p. A5. Retrieved February 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Judge Expected To Rule On Expulsion Of Transgender Student From Cal Baptist". Los Angeles: KCAL-TV. May 30, 2014. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  22. ↑ Bob Allen (July 15, 2014). "Expelled transgender student gets partial win". Baptist News Global. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  23. ↑ Domaine Javier (December 12, 2022). "Well… this is nice". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  24. ↑ "RCC Alumna Domaine Javier discusses her struggles and successes throughout her life". Viewpoints. Archived from the original on March 21, 2025. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Domaine Javier – Prime Video". Amazon Prime Video. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  26. ↑ @domainejavier; (September 7, 2024). "Post by Domaine Javier featuring image 3 from carousel (accessed via Instagram)". Retrieved August 8, 2025 – via Instagram.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ↑ "Domaine Javier – Prime Video". Amazon Prime Video. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
  28. 1 2 "SPRING 2026 : COMMENCEMENT GRADUATE CEREMONY" (PDF). Uca.edu. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  29. 1 2 "Queer Voices: Anderson Cooper Features Transgender Youth And Families On 'Anderson' Talk Show". HuffPost. December 6, 2017 [November 16, 2011]. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  30. 1 2 "Trans children and youth are the focus of Wednesday afternoon's episode of 'Anderson'". Dallas Voice. November 16, 2011. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  31. 1 2 Nickolaus Hines (September 15, 2020). "The Truth About The Worst Cooks In America". Mashed. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  32. 1 2 "Third Time's A Charm For Food Network's Armenian Princess Louisa Sharamatyan With New Show 'Dirty Dishes'". Hollywood411. Medium. February 4, 2021. Archived from the original on February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  33. 1 2 wnypapers.com (March 19, 2021). "Michael Symon joins Anne Burrell to mentor fan-favorite recruits in 'Worst Cooks in America: Best of the Worst'". Niagara Frontier Publications. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  34. 1 2 foodsided.com (May 31, 2021). "Did the Worst Cooks in America Season 22 winner continue the streak?". FanSided.com. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  35. 1 2 "Front Yard Comedy". Adam Devine's House Party. Comedy Central. November 21, 2013. Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  36. 1 2 Glennisha Morgan (February 2, 2016) [March 25, 2013]. "'The Switch,' New Comedy Series, Casts All Transgender Actors For Trans Roles". HuffPost. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  37. 1 2 Vincent Terrace (2015). Internet Lesbian and Gay Television Series, 1996–2014. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 180. ISBN 9780786498055.
  38. 1 2 "Lucid Dark". KZClip. October 23, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2021.[permanent dead link]
  39. ↑ "Another Day in America (2024)". IMDb. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Another Day in America (2024) Review". Sarah G. Vincent Views. April 9, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  41. ↑ "BIFF 2024 Awards Winners". Boston International Film Festival. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Another Day in America". IMDb. Archived from the original on June 5, 2025. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  43. ↑ Navarro, Alexander (May 31, 2024). "'Another Day in America' Interview: Emilio Mauro Talks About His New Film". Moviefone. Archived from the original on July 24, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  44. ↑ "Kenan – "Destroying Miami" Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved June 28, 2025.