- Amid the 1960s New York counterculture scene, transgender Candy Darling courageously battles societal prejudice and personal demons to pursue Hollywood stardom, paving the way for future generations of marginalized voices.
- In 1968 New York, beautiful, graceful transgender actress Candy Darling's sights are set on Hollywood stardom. She intrigues Andy Warhol, who turns her into the darling of the avant-garde. But the mercurial artist's interests shift to her friends: the outrageous, acerbic transgender Holly Woodlawn and the unapologetically iconoclastic gender-fluid Jackie Curtis. She watches helplessly as Andy promotes them in her place, confronts Andy, and exiles herself from the Factory. She comes under the patronage of wealthy garment heir Richard Turley and turns to her loving mother and would-be suitor, art collector Philippe, for emotional support. Warhol returns to Candy, desperate for her to star in WOMEN IN REVOLT. But her Hollywood debut is met with professional ridicule and backlash from the rising feminist movement, prompting Warhol to abandon her again to pursue his own mainstream ambitions. Her attempts to rebuild her New York career are cut short by a leukemia diagnosis. In her final days, she mends fractured friendships, though Warhol remains too cowardly to visit despite her hospice pleas. She passes away in the embrace of her chosen family. At her self-planned memorial, her mother ensures she is eulogized as Candy despite her distant father's request otherwise. In a final letter, she forgives Warhol and reflects on fame's ephemeral nature.
- In the vibrant Greenwich Village of 1968, young James Slattery metamorphoses into Candy Darling, a stunning transgender actress with dreams of Hollywood stardom. She shares a rundown SRO with her best friend, the skeptical Holly Woodlawn. Together they turn tricks to afford black market hormones. Praised for her performance in her friend Jackie Curtis' play, Candy ingratiates herself with Andy Warhol, becoming the darling of his avant-garde cultural movement. Her underground cred soars, though not her finances, as she continues posing for Andy for free despite her loving mother's and art collector Phillipe's advice. When Valerie Solanas shoots Andy, Candy maintains a bedside vigil and promises to cast her in his next film. Momentarily the reigning Factory queen after premiering in FLESH, Candy falls out of favor as Holly ascends, leading to brutal confrontations and Candy's self-imposed exile. Candy battles depression but finds solace in wealthy clothier Richard Turley's patronage, her mother and Phillipe's ongoing emotional support, and the gay rights movement, including the historic Stonewall riots. Andy revives her stalled Hollywood dreams by casting her as WOMEN IN REVOLT's lead. But her Los Angeles debut is met with ridicule and feminist backlash, prompting Warhol to abandon her in pursuit of his Hollywood ambitions. Tennessee Williams casts Candy in his newest play. But when the cast resents her she seeks comfort by consummating her relationship with Phillipe, abandoning him at dawn, preferring the memory of a perfect night over the reality of a complex relationship. Turley throws her out and she discovers Jackie's in the grip of heroin addiction. She helps him enter rehab, returns to the SRO, and composes the poem "Stardusk" on fame's illusory nature. Candy collapses during a downtown performance and is diagnosed with leukemia, forcing her to quit estrogen. In her final days, she mends fractured friendships, though Warhol remains too cowardly to visit her despite her hospice pleas. She passes away in Holly's embrace with Jackie and her mother at her side. In a final letter, Candy forgives the enigmatic Warhol and reflects on fame's ephemeral nature and, at her memorial, her mother ensures she is eulogized by her chosen name.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content