
Jaila Simms
Board Member
Jaila Simms is a groundbreaking force in entertainment. In 2009, she became the first transgender winner of a reality show, MTV’s “Making His Band,” earning a GLAAD Award nomination. Her talent led to extensive collaborations with RnB icon Faith Evans as a songwriter and backing vocalist.
In 2011, Jaila made history as the first transgender Grammy-nominated songwriter. She advocated for the LGBTQ+ community in a 2014 Human Rights Campaign PSA and starred in Gilead’s “Get Honest: Honestly” campaign in 2018, which is currently airing online and televisions across the U.S.
Musically, Jaila co-wrote a chart-topping single for the Clark Sisters in 2019, making her the first transgender songwriter on the gospel charts. In 2022, she was the first transgender singer to perform at the Super Bowl, and in 2023, she appeared as a Featured Vocalist at the legendary Somerset House in London and the world renowned Montreux Jazz Festival.
Having performed with icons like Elton John,Robin Thicke, P. Diddy, Faith Evans and Mickey Guyton, Jaila Simms is not just an artist; she’s an inspiration in the industry.