Caitlyn Jenner’s new friend Candis Cayne has been getting almost as much attention as the former Olympian lately, thanks to her appearances on E! reality series ‘I Am Cait’. The pair have also been spotted out and about  together a lot recently, causing some to speculate that they might be more than just friends. But before her friendship with Caitlyn brought her mainstream attention Candis was making history, as the first transgender actress to star on primetime television.

Candis CayneCandis Cayne has been appearing on ‘I Am Cait’.

Candis was born Brendan McDaniel in Maui, Hawaii in 1971 and she has a twin brother named Dylan. Growing up she noticed the differences between herself and Dylan, who she’s described as a ‘jock’. “I was doing the artistic things, and he was into sports," she told People magazine. "Ever since we were babies, we were completely opposite.

In the early 90s Candis made the move to New York City where she soon began finding recognition as a choreographer and drag performer. Then in 1996 she began her transition, having been already performing for years under the name Candis Cayne.

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“When I told my parents that I was starting my transition, my Dad said, 'Well that makes so much more sense 'cause I never saw you any other way and now it totally works,” Cayne has said. "It was unbelievable. The second I told them they flew to New York and wanted to make sure I was OK. And they found out I was happier.”

In 2007 Candis made history as the first trans actress to play recurring character on American primetime TV when she landed a role on ABC’s ‘Dirty, Sexy, Money’. Candis played Carmelita Rainer, a transgender woman having an affair with William Baldwin's character, appearing in 11 episodes of the series.

Speaking about the role Candis said, "I already did 10 years of research on this subject. I don't feel pressure from the community because I know what I'm talking about. I know I won't do something that's inaccurate. I'll do stuff that I don't really agree with.”

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In 2009 she went on to land a guest starring role on ‘Nip/Tuck’ and she has also appeared on ‘Drop Dead Diva’, as a judge on ‘RuPaul’s Drag U’ and as a guest choreographer on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’.

As well as now appearing on E!’s ‘I Am Cait’, Candis also still regularly performs throughout the US. Most recently she performed at a New York City Pride afterparty event where she was cheered on by Caitlyn Jenner and friends. During the performance she dedicated the song ‘I Am a Woman’ to her new friend Caitlyn.