Desmond I Amazing in marketing campaign for Claire's

[SunsetBeetch]

Firstly, have to say I have nothing but sympathy for Desmond, who I believe is being exploited by his parents.

But is this appropriate for a company that sells accessories to teenage girls?

"Retailer of toys and accessories aimed at girls, Claire's, has recruited 12 year old drag act Desmond Is Amazing to do its marketing. A former chair of PIE said he was turned on when Desmond danced sexually for adults. Claire's has deleted this tweet but kept its Facebook post up t.co/tbYJxvrefM "

twitter.com/ripx4nutmeg/status/1263360087894175751?s=19

Claire's just gives the usual "We are inclusive and kind blah blah blah" response to any criticism

[JoeExoticsEyebrowRing]

It's not that Desmond is a boy that this is a problem. It's because this a boy who has been massively exploited in plain sight for several years now and has publicly taken part in stuff that no child should be ever taking part in.

I am sickened by all of it, the dancing for money in gay nightclubs, the posing with adults who are wearing t shirts with sexual slogans on them, the hanging out with convicted murderers. But for me the worst was when he simulated snorting drugs whilst an adult drag queen laughed along with him. I think he was about 10 at the time. It's just so undeniably wrong and so out there in plain sight. What 10 year old even really knows what ketamine is, let alone jokes about taking it?

He also apparently has autism which makes it all even worse because he is more vulnerable.

[JoeExoticsEyebrowRing]

Just looked at the Claire's FB page - wow, it looks like they have been busy deleting comments recently haven't they?

[Lordfrontpaw]

Would they have a little girl fronting a campaign who danced in skimpy clothes in bars and night clubs for men to throw dollars at, who talks a ketamine. and acts ‘taking drugs’?

I think not (social services would be involved).

[Pacmanitee]

When he was two, he was inspired by and began imitating the drag queens on RuPaul's Drag Race by fashioning household items into dresses and wigs.

Sure he was and sure he did at age 2 make that decision and start making dresses and wigs. Poor child.

[Lordfrontpaw]

Not seeing any ads on their twitter feed.

Don’t all two year olds dress up? When my sister was little she used to dress up according to the tv show she was watching. She had something to every occasion. I’m not sure she doesn’t still do that.

[JoeExoticsEyebrowRing]

Like everything, if you slap a rainbow on it, anything goes apparently. And objecting to it is 'hate and bigotry'.

Handy thing that rainbow......

[endofthelinefinally]

Well yes. All 2 year olds do that.
Mine used to put a mop head on his head and do a little dance with a ladle. He grew out of it.

[Lordfrontpaw]

Mine used to dress up as Spider-Man or power rangers. I do hope you have the mop head dance taped.

[Pertella]

If you see anything sexual in a little boy gyrating on a nightclub stage at 3am in the morning whilst grown men throw money at him, then YOU'RE the paedo

[Lordfrontpaw]

Maybe they are just supporting the arts. College fund and all that...

[skql]

same way to supporting college fund by being sugar daddy?

[sqirrelfriends]

When he was two, he was inspired by and began imitating the drag queens on RuPaul's Drag Race by fashioning household items into dresses and wigs.

A bit off topic and I don't believe it at all but what person in their right mind would let their two year old watch drag race? The language alone would be enough...

[Lordfrontpaw]

I don’t think mum and dad sound like the type of parents who would be taking the kids to Gymboree, Mini Mandarin and BabyBoogieMusic, and then off the parent and toddlers group in FrouFrou coffee shop for a bambinochino and organic oat muffin.

[Aesopfable]

A bit off topic and I don't believe it at all but what person in their right mind would let their two year old watch drag race?

This

[YourVagesty]

I wonder if his parents have ever been reported to US social services?

[HeIsAVeryBadBoy]

Sqirrel exactly, all about themselves. And all about having the 'right' reaction too for the weaker minded.

[MingeofDeath]

@ YourVagesty
Apparently there have been loads of reports to social services. Obviously they are not concerned

[MarshaBradyo]

I hadn’t heard of him but reading this thread I feel sorry for him, poor boy.

[Pacmanitee]

Yes I agree they do, what I meant by make that decision was that it implies he was influenced by drag culture from watching it rather than just did the same as most little ones do when they see something on the telly.

[JoeExoticsEyebrowRing]

I wonder if his parents have ever been reported to US social services?

Yes, they have, several times.

Apparently a little boy simulating drug use and being taken to nightclubs to perform in the middle of the night is nothing to worry about 🤷‍♀️

[Lordfrontpaw]

Are they in New York? That wouldn’t surprise me there.

[WeetabixBananaHipsterFFS]

It’s the thinness, the shape of the face, the long look that reminds me of this child.

I know what you mean, and I’m uncomfortable with comments on his ‘unhealthy’ appearance because I suspect that his neurodiverse-ness and his unusual physical characteristics are probably related to some sort of rare syndrome-type thing. (I’ve no relevant qualifications, just an idea based on observation and life experience.)

Regarding his parents and the adults around him, I agree with most of what PPs have written.

[Lordfrontpaw]

I remember the heroin chic look a few years back.

Kiddy shops should use child models with little rosy & chubby cheeks and gap-toothed grins. Kids that look happy and - well ‘child like’. I want my child to be happy and healthy. To squeal with joy when they get a surprise toy or find their favourite character on a t-shirt. To hop up and down when you tell them you are taking them to their favourite store. To not sleep for days before their birthday party because they are so excited. To nag you to let them but their best mate the same toy that you just got them - so they can be ‘twins’. The usual little kid stuff.

Not look painfully thin and have an adult face.

[OneEpisode]

Desmond is at the start of adolescence, an age when many of us don’t look our best. This isn’t a no-name model though, this is a “Brand” Claire’s have chosen to align with.

[JoeExoticsEyebrowRing]

Desmond is at the start of adolescence

Desmond has been around for a few years now, and its so hard to believe that he is still not even yet a teenager. The way he has been exploited is just horrendous.