If you were watching TV in 2007, you probably remember the absolute chaos of the "Masked Lady" reveal. For months, Ugly Betty teased us with this bandaged, mysterious figure lurking in the shadows with Wilhelmina Slater. We all thought it was Fey Sommers back from the grave. Then, the bandages came off.
It wasn't Fey. It was Alexis from Ugly Betty, formerly known as Alex Meade, the supposedly dead brother of Daniel.
Honestly, it was a "jaw-on-the-floor" moment. In the mid-2000s, seeing a transgender character as a central, high-powered antagonist—and eventually a protagonist—on a major network like ABC was basically unheard of. But looking back now, the legacy of Alexis Meade is... well, it’s complicated. It’s a mix of groundbreaking representation and some really cringey writing that hasn't aged particularly well.
The Shock That Rocked Mode Magazine
Before she was Alexis, she was Alex, the "golden boy" of the Meade empire. He was a rugged adventurer, a skier, and the clear favorite of the family patriarch, Bradford Meade. When Alex "died" in a skiing accident, it shattered the family.
But as we later find out, Alex didn't die. He used the accident as a cover to finally transition. Alexis spent years in seclusion, undergoing surgeries and plotting her return. Her entrance back into the world wasn't exactly quiet. She didn't just come out to her family; she orchestrated her father’s arrest for murder at Fashion Week and tried to stage a hostile takeover of Mode.
Talk about an entrance.
✨ Don't miss: Why La Mera Mera Radio is Actually Dominating Local Airwaves Right Now
Rebecca Romijn played the role with this incredible, icy confidence. She was 6-foot-something in heels, draped in high fashion, and absolutely ruthless. For a lot of viewers, seeing a trans woman who was powerful, beautiful, and "the boss" was a total revelation. She wasn't a victim. She was a threat.
Why Rebecca Romijn Took the Role
It’s easy to forget that at the time, the "boys' club" running the network was pretty nervous about a trans storyline. Rebecca Romijn has actually spoken about this recently. In an interview with The Independent in 2023, she mentioned that the executives weren't sold on the idea until her name was floated. They needed a "palatable" way to sell the character to a mainstream audience.
"I really wanted to do that character justice—and make her as hot as possible," Romijn said. She saw it as a chance to open doors.
Of course, today, the conversation is different. We know that casting a cisgender woman to play a trans woman isn't the "correct" move anymore. Romijn herself has said that if the show were rebooted today, she shouldn't play Alexis; the role should go to a trans actress. But in 2007? She was one of the few people willing to take the "big swing."
The Writing Went Off the Rails
If you rewatch the show now, the first season is tight. The mystery works. The tension between Alexis and Daniel is palpable. But then... things get weird.
🔗 Read more: Why Love Island Season 7 Episode 23 Still Feels Like a Fever Dream
After the initial shock wore off, the writers seemed like they didn't know what to do with her. One minute she’s a mastermind, the next she’s got amnesia after a car crash and thinks she’s a teenager again. Then she’s fighting over a baby with Wilhelmina.
It was messy.
There's also the issue of how the other characters treated her. The show is full of what we’d now call "dead-naming" and constant jokes about her physical transition. Even the "lovable" characters like Marc and Amanda were often cruel. While some argue this was realistic for the time, it makes rewatching those scenes feel like a punch to the gut.
Why did Alexis leave?
By Season 3, Alexis was barely there. Behind the scenes, Romijn was pregnant with twins and the show was dealing with the fallout of the 2007-2008 writers' strike. Romijn also expressed some frustration with the direction the writing was taking.
The exit was abrupt. After accidentally pushing a pregnant Christina down a flight of stairs—long story, very soap opera—Alexis turns herself in. Eventually, she takes a deal, gives up her shares in the company, and moves to France to be with her son, DJ.
💡 You might also like: When Was Kai Cenat Born? What You Didn't Know About His Early Life
And that was it. The character who started as the biggest mystery on television just... flew away to Europe.
The Actionable Takeaway: How to Revisit Alexis Today
If you’re planning an Ugly Betty binge-watch, or if you’re a creator looking at how to handle sensitive representation, here are three things to keep in mind about the Alexis Meade era:
- Context is Everything: You have to view Alexis through the lens of 2006. She was a pioneer, even if the "how" was flawed. She proved that a trans character could drive a major plotline without their identity being the only thing about them.
- Watch for the Chemistry: Pay attention to the scenes between Alexis and Claire Meade (Judith Light). Despite the campy plotlines, the emotional core of a mother accepting her daughter is some of the best acting in the series.
- Acknowledge the Evolution: Use Alexis as a benchmark for how far TV has come. Compare her to characters in shows like Pose or Euphoria. You’ll see exactly why authentic casting and trans writers in the room make such a massive difference in quality and depth.
Alexis from Ugly Betty remains a fascinating, flawed, and vital piece of television history. She wasn't perfect, and the show didn't always treat her right, but she paved the way for the more nuanced stories we see today. If you want to dive deeper into the show's history, check out the various cast reunions on YouTube—the love they still have for each other is the real "Mode" magic.
To get the full experience of the Meade family drama, start your rewatch from Season 1, Episode 13, "Coming Out." It’s the official arrival of Alexis and the beginning of the show's most ambitious arc.