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]
Desmond Napoles | |
|---|---|
 Desmond Napoles in Battery Park in 2023 | |
| Born | 2007 (age 16–17) |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Drag performance, LGBTQ activism |
| Website | desmondisamazing |
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
- ^ Cliff, Aimee (May 14, 2018). "Desmond is Amazing: The fabulous 10-year-old 'drag kid'". Dazed. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ Lignitz, Shea (February 13, 2018). "This 10-Year-Old Boy Just Stole the Show at Fashion Week". Brit + Co. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Stevens, Mary (August 9, 2018). "Meet the 11-year-old drag kid who RuPaul calls 'the future of America'". CNBC. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ "Drag kid of Brooklyn". Reuters. March 14, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ a b Hines, Alice (September 7, 2019). "Sashaying Their Way Through Youth". The New York Times. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Barr, Sabrina (January 8, 2019). "Ten-year-old boy creates first ever drag club for kids". The Independent. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Canton, Jeffrey (July 10, 2020). "Twelve children's books that will inspire and enlighten". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "'Drag kid' Desmond Napoles shares his story". NY1. September 27, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
- ^ "ABOUT". desmondisamazing.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ "Desmond Napoles". www.desmondisamazing.com. Retrieved November 29, 2023.