Written by: Lehlieh Zion
Dwen Curry, also known as the first “Original Gay Gangster,” premiered in the third episode of the BET hit show, American Gangster: Trap Queens Season 2, narrated by Lil’ Kim on BET+ January 14. In this heartfelt episode, we witness Dwen tell the story of a young confused gay man growing up in the city of Detroit, Michigan, bullied most of his adolescence. She always had to defend her choices as a young gay man soon to evolve into a transgender woman.
This constant battle led to her demise into fatal drug addiction. In her early adult years, Dwen’s mother, who always knew Dwen was different, was concerned and decided to send Dwen off to her uncle for help. Dwen’s uncle, who happened to be a drug addiction counselor, took her in and saved her life. Dwen expressed her gratitude for him stepping in as tears rolled down her face in appreciation. As Dwen overcame her stumbling blocks past, she moved on to a new lifestyle where she could live a better life for herself and her immediate family.
She decided to relocate to Oakland, California and became one of the wealthiest hustlers in town. Dwen’s secret side hustle exposed her to a fast-life, flashy cars, and expensive jewelry that ceased to go unnoticed. Her success brought great suspicion and jealousy to Oakland neighbors causing the Oakland P.D to make Dwen a target of an investigation. She was allegedly investigated several times for being a “drug lord,” but Oakland’s lack of proper tools to investigate the case was closed. After several threats, Dwen decided to open her first business, a hair salon called “Just an Illusion,” to get the attention off of her questionable wealth.
How fitting was this name under Dwen’s primary form of personal income, Dwen’s hair salon was no secret to the city of Oakland. Her Salon became a staple for high profile entertainers, elaborate hairstyles, and luxury looks. The start of her business only increased her chances as a target and threat in the community. Dwen was eventually being robbed and shot several times. After many failed attempts at staying a low profiled hustler, Dwen decided it was time to move to a new city, where luxury was a norm.
Dwen Curry has everyone on the edge of their seats on BET Plus
As soon as Dwen relocated to Los Angeles, California, she met actress Lisa Raye and became very close friends with the A-list actress. The two became inseparable, causing Lisa Raye to hire Dwen as her wardrobe stylist. It was not too long after that, Dwen’s career took off and, she became a celebrity Wardrobe Stylist. Dwen’s eclectic style drew eyes all over Hollywood towards her. Her fashion sense started her second business, and a fashion wardrobe house called “Xtreme Measures.”
Dwen began to have a change of heart and wanted to shut down her secret side hustle operation, but in this episode, she expressed the difficulties of letting it go and feeling bound to its wealth. Sooner than later, her wealth became too unnoticeable and led to several acquaintances airing out her dirty laundry. One afternoon in Los Angeles, California, the FBI raided the Curry residence and finally found Dwen’s secret side hustle to their surprise. Dwen was allegedly incarcerated for credit card theft on several different accounts and faced up to 50 years in jail. Fortunately for Dwen, her sentence was reduced to 4 ½ years based on good behavior and completing a drug program.
Sadly, Dwen experienced a lot of jail abuse, which left her serving her time under extreme trauma. As years passed and Dwen completed her sentence, she moved to appreciate her strength and decision to turn over a new leaf, leaving her troubled past behind. In this episode, she expresses relief from her past and finally coming into her own as her authentic self, regardless of other people’s opinions. The hit show airs the first five episodes on BET+ of American Gangster: Trap Queens Season 2 on Thursday, January 14. American Gangster: Trap Queens is unscripted and is executive produced by Emmy Award-Winner, Judge Greg Mathis, Arthur Smith, and Frank Sinton of A. Smith & Co. Productions.