Desmond is Amazing
Desmond Napoles | |
|---|---|
Desmond Napoles in Battery Park in 2023 | |
| Born | June 2007 (age 18)[1] |
| Known for | Drag performance, LGBTQ activism |
| Website | desmondisamazing |
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[a] were eight years old[4][5][6] and is an LGBTQ activist.[7][8]
Work
Napoles received early attention when they appeared in the 2015 NYC Pride March,[9][10] and has been doing drag since the age of eight.[11] As of 2019, Napoles had around 180,000 followers on Instagram, and had the largest online presence of American "drag kids".[9]
In October 2017, Napoles announced they would be organizing Haus of Amazing, the first drag club for child drag performers.[12] In 2018, Napoles walked in Gypsy Sport's New York Fashion Week show.[13][14] Be Amazing: A History of Pride, a children's picture book with text by Napoles, was published in 2020.[15][16]
A 2022 appearance at a Bronx library was cancelled due to violent threats against the Napoles family.[17] 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.[10] Napoles has started a fashion brand, Be Amazing NYC, and is a LGBTQ+ influencer.[15][17] As of 2024, they use the name Desi.[11]
Personal life
In 2018, Napoles lived in Brooklyn,[18] and lives in New York City as of 2023.[2] They are genderfluid and use they/them pronouns.[3]
See also
- Drag Kids, 2019 documentary
Notes
- ^ Napoles is genderfluid and uses they/them pronouns.[2][3]
References
- ^ Sowa, Emily (June 24, 2018). "Pride Week: 10-Year-Old Drag Kid talks bullying and being yourself always". Abc7news.com. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ a b "Desmond Napoles | Biography". desmondisamazing.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2025. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
- ^ a b "Desmond Napoles". www.desmondisamazing.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b McNamara, Brittney (June 5, 2024). "Desi Napoles Dropped Their Drag Kid Persona, But They're Not Done Speaking Out". Teen Vogue. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ^ 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.