'OITNB' Star Lea DeLaria Praises The Show's Depiction Of The 'Shared Experience Of Butches'

'OITNB' Star Says Her Character's Backstory Was Like Reading Her Own Diary

The third season of "Orange Is The New Black" cements Netflix's prison drama as "the most reliable show on television," and the latest batch of episodes offers more of the character backstories fans love. Among them is that of Big Boo, which offers new insights into the character's struggle with her sexuality.

Actress Lea DeLaria stopped by HuffPost Live on Thursday -- along with co-stars Yael Stone and Jackie Cruz -- and talked with host Alyona Minkovski about the parallels between her storyline and her own experience coming out to her parents.

"The really interesting thing is ... the common, shared experience of butches. When I read it, I thought [the writers] had read my diary. It was like watching my own life unfold before me," DeLaria said.

But the important difference, she added, is that her real-life parents have learned to accept her for who she is, and that's the message DeLaria wants fans to take away.

"There's a lot of people out there going through what Big Boo went through, and I would like them to know that parents can change. They can grow, just like you can," she said.

DeLaria also discussed preparing for her wedding to fashion editor Chelsea Fairless, which will be officiated by Sandra Bernhard.

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Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling)

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