Desmond is Amazing explained

Desmond Napoles
Nationality:American
Known For:Drag performance, LGBTQ activism

Desmond Napoles (born 2007) is a former American child drag performer known by the stage name Desmond is Amazing. Napoles has been performing since they were eight years old[1] [2] [3] and is an LGBTQ activist.[4] [5]

Work

Napoles received early attention when they appeared in the 2015 NYC Pride March. As of 2019, Napoles had around 180,000 followers on Instagram, and had the largest online presence of American "drag kids".[6]

In October 2017, Napoles announced they would be organizing Haus of Amazing, the first drag club for child drag performers.[7] In 2018, Napoles walked in Gypsy Sport's New York Fashion Week show.[8] [9] Be Amazing: A History of Pride, a children's picture book with text by Napoles, was published in 2020.[10]

A 2022 appearance at a Bronx library was cancelled due to violent threats against the Napoles family. In a March 2023 interview, Napoles said that they were retiring their drag persona and had instead begun working on a line of skin care products.[11] Napoles has started a fashion brand, Be Amazing NYC, and is a LGBTQ+ influencer.[12] [13]

Personal life

In 2018, Napoles lived in Brooklyn,[14] continues to live in New York City as of 2023[15] and identifies as genderfluid.[16]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Desmond is Amazing: The fabulous 10-year-old 'drag kid'. Cliff. Aimee. 2018-05-14. Dazed. 2018-07-26. en.
  2. Web site: Shea. Lignitz. This 10-Year-Old Boy Just Stole the Show at Fashion Week. Brit + Co. en. February 13, 2018. 2019-05-16.
  3. News: This amazing 'drag kid' and activist won't let critics get him down. Rawles. Timothy. September 24, 2018. 13 May 2019. Hale Media. San Diego Gay & Lesbian News.
  4. News: Stevens . Mary . Meet the 11-year-old drag kid who RuPaul calls 'the future of America' . 24 November 2023 . . 9 August 2018 . en.
  5. News: Drag kid of Brooklyn . 24 November 2023 . . 14 March 2019.
  6. News: Hines . Alice . Sashaying Their Way Through Youth . 24 November 2023 . . 7 September 2019.
  7. Web site: Barr . Sabrina . 2019-01-08 . Ten-year-old boy creates first ever drag club for kids . 2023-11-29 . The Independent . en.
  8. Web site: Reslen . Eileen . 2018-02-12 . A 10-Year-Old "Drag Kid" Just Stole the Show at New York Fashion Week . 2023-11-29 . Cosmopolitan . en-US.
  9. Web site: Young . Sarah . 2018-02-13 . This 10-year-old 'drag kid' just made his runway debut at New York Fashion Week . 2023-11-29 . The Independent . en.
  10. News: Canton . Jeffrey . Twelve children's books that will inspire and enlighten . 24 November 2023 . . 10 July 2020 . en-CA.
  11. Web site: Watson . Rob . Des has been showered with praise that has come at a huge cost . Los Angeles Blade . 6 March 2023 . 5 March 2023.
  12. News: Martinez . Jorge . You can't get rid of us: LGBTQ+ youth activist 'Desmond Is Amazing' refuses to let the haters win . 24 November 2023 . . 12 June 2023.
  13. News: Assunção . Muri . Disturbing threats to NYC teen drag star lead to cancelation of 'fun-filled' event at NYPL . 24 November 2023 . . 18 September 2022.
  14. Web site: September 27, 2018 . 'Drag kid' Desmond Napoles shares his story . 2023-11-29 . . en.
  15. Web site: ABOUT . desmondisamazing.com . 24 November 2023.
  16. Web site: Desmond Napoles . www.desmondisamazing.com . 29 November 2023.