Posing in a fiery red skirt and a sequin-speckled tuxedo top that perfectly matches his scarlet-colored hair, 16-year-old Korben White took the internet by storm with the billowing ballgown he wore to his high school prom.
After a viral post made by his mom Nina Green, showcasing her teenage son dressed to the nines for prom, fervent supporters praised his flowing frock. Others, however, decided to play the blame game, claiming it exemplifies a “parental failure” for encouraging such behavior.
When Korben White was just 12, he told his mom Nina Green that he wanted to go to his school prom in a gown. Fast-forward to 2022, only four years later, and the teen—a sassy young drag queen known as Miss Frou Frou—made it happen.
Speaking with the BBC, Green revealed her son’s inspiration. “He wanted to go as himself while expressing his feminine side—with a tuxedo on the top and a dress at the bottom, very much influenced by [American actor] Billy Porter.” She continued, “He wanted to be Korben…but in a dress.”
And when he stepped out of the car in the sparkly red outfit paired with a white shirt and a giant red bow, Korben’s big reveal was celebrated by both staff and students at Archbishop Sancroft High School in Harleston, Norfolk.
“As soon as he got out of the car, everyone just cheered and I was crying, some of the teachers were crying, because he was being who he wanted to be,” the proud mom recalled. “Everyone has been very supportive, and his year group has been incredible. If you let your child be who they are, then you’ll get nothing but the best out of them.”
Green, one of her son’s biggest supporters, continued to champion her son with a tweet on July 1.
The tweet garnered immense attention, with millions of users worldwide sharing, commenting, and complimenting the dashing young man. It even reached Michelle Visage, a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race, who remarked, “You are an amazing beautiful mom and your child is a STAR.”
Korben said it was “very surreal” that his mother’s tweet caught Visage’s attention. “To me she is such an icon, a wonderful celebrity, and I really admire her,” he said.
Green confessed she hadn’t expected her show of support to “go crazy,” stating she only aimed to show her son “living his best life,” a move that made other parents seek her advice. Some users even shared photos and stories of their own gender-bending children.
One parent wrote, “I worry for my son. He would really love to do something like this at prom, but he would definitely not have the support of all the students! It’s so sad that we still have homophobia even now. Well done to you, your son, and his school!”
Another shared, “I am so happy for your son; he looked absolutely amazing!!! My son is trans. After three years of transphobic bullying before his GCSEs, I had to take him out of school for his mental health. He was always going to prom in a tux and was deprived of the chance.”
A third simply commented, “Absolutely stunning! My daughter wore a suit to hers!”
While the support flowed in, it was met with a string of negative comments, serving as a reminder that not everyone is on the same page socially.
One internet user found the support for Green’s post troubling. “There is absolutely nothing natural about a ‘boy’ dressing like a ‘girl’—the support shows just how screwed up our world is.” Another echoed, “We live in a world where children should no longer pretend to be Indians but men should pretend to be women. Utopian.”
Yet, Green remained a steadfast warrior of support, refusing to buckle under online hate. The day after the internet-exploding tweet, Green accompanied her son to London Pride and shared a sweet photo of the two. One user commented, “My boy did too, couldn’t be prouder. He’s also at London Pride today aged 16—it’s fabulous. Love to you and yours.” Another shared, “You both look amazing xx.”
Despite the negativity, Green, who mentioned on Twitter that she ignores the hate, hopes other children and parents will find encouragement through the bond she shares with Korben. “I really hope it will help others be more accepting, let proud parents feel they are not alone, and that they can celebrate their children. For young people to know there is a network there if they need it,” she continued. “You need to accept your children for who they are.”
Korben Green is indeed a defiantly brave young man for expressing himself the way he does! And he’s incredibly fortunate to have such a supportive mom, who shuts out the noise and continues parenting him in the best way she knows.
What do you think of teens attending prom in outfits that don’t reflect their birth-assigned genders?
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