Desmond is Amazing

Desmond Napoles
Desmond Napoles in Battery Park in 2023
Born2007 (age 16–17)
NationalityAmerican
Known forDrag performance, LGBTQ activism
Websitedesmondisamazing.com

Desmond Napoles (born 2007) is an American former 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.[6][7] 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.[8] In 2018, Napoles walked in Gypsy Sport's New York Fashion Week show.[9][10] Be Amazing: A History of Pride, a children's picture book with text by Napoles, was published in 2020.[11][12]

A 2022 appearance at a Bronx library was cancelled due to violent threats against the Napoles family.[13] 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.[7] Napoles has started a fashion brand, Be Amazing NYC, and is a LGBTQ+ influencer.[11][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]

References

  1. ^ Cliff, Aimee (May 14, 2018). "Desmond is Amazing: The fabulous 10-year-old 'drag kid'". Dazed. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
  2. ^ Lignitz, Shea (February 13, 2018). "This 10-Year-Old Boy Just Stole the Show at Fashion Week". Brit + Co. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  3. ^ Rawles, Timothy (September 24, 2018). "This amazing 'drag kid' and activist won't let critics get him down". Hale Media. San Diego Gay & Lesbian News. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  4. ^ Stevens, Mary (August 9, 2018). "Meet the 11-year-old drag kid who RuPaul calls 'the future of America'". CNBC. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  5. ^ "Drag kid of Brooklyn". Reuters. March 14, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  6. ^ a b Hines, Alice (September 7, 2019). "Sashaying Their Way Through Youth". The New York Times. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Watson, Rob (March 5, 2023). "Des has been showered with praise that has come at a huge cost". Los Angeles Blade. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  8. ^ Barr, Sabrina (January 8, 2019). "Ten-year-old boy creates first ever drag club for kids". The Independent. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  9. ^ Reslen, Eileen (February 12, 2018). "A 10-Year-Old "Drag Kid" Just Stole the Show at New York Fashion Week". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  10. ^ Young, Sarah (February 13, 2018). "This 10-year-old 'drag kid' just made his runway debut at New York Fashion Week". The Independent. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Martinez, Jorge (June 12, 2023). "You can't get rid of us: LGBTQ+ youth activist 'Desmond Is Amazing' refuses to let the haters win". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  12. ^ Canton, Jeffrey (July 10, 2020). "Twelve children's books that will inspire and enlighten". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Assunção, Muri (September 18, 2022). "Disturbing threats to NYC teen drag star lead to cancelation of 'fun-filled' event at NYPL". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  14. ^ "'Drag kid' Desmond Napoles shares his story". NY1. September 27, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  15. ^ "ABOUT". desmondisamazing.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  16. ^ "Desmond Napoles". www.desmondisamazing.com. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
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