Boy, 16, divides the internet with billowing ballgown, some say he’s ‘stunning’ others say ‘vile

Posing in a fiery red skirt and a sequin-speckled tuxedo top that perfectly matches his scarlet-colored hair, 16-year-old Korben White blew up the internet with the billowing ballgown he wore to his high school prom.

After a viral post made by his mom Nina Green, that shows her teenaged son primed and primped for prom, fervent disciples of the woke movement praised his flowing frock while others played the shame game, saying it demonstrates the “failure” of a parent “in encouraging this sort of thing.”

When Korben White was only 12, he told his mother Nina Green “he wanted to go to his school prom in a gown.”

In 2022, only four years after his declaration of intent, the teen–a “sassy” young drag queen who goes by the name Miss Frou Frou–made it happen.

Speaking with the BBC, Green explains 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 applauded 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 said of Korben. “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.”

Her son’s biggest champion, Green continued her massive show of support with a tweet on July 1.

Paired with a few photos of Korben in the spectacular outfit, Green writes, “At age 12 my son announced he wanted to go to his school prom in a gown. Four years later we made it happen. I’m so incredibly proud of him for being true to himself & the reception he got from his whole school was incredible.”

Her post gained a lot of momentum with millions of users around the world sharing commenting, and complimenting the handsome young man.

It even reached Michelle Visage, a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race, who said, “You are an amazing beautiful mom and your child is a STAR.”

Korben said it was “very surreal” that his mother’s tweet captured the attention of Visage.

“To me she is such an icon, a wonderful celebrity and I really admire her,” he said.

Green wasn’t expecting that her show of support would “go crazy,” and said she only wanted to show her son “living his best life,” which made other parents look for her advice.

Some users shared photos and stories of their own gender-bending children.

One writes, “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! So sad that we still have homophobia even now. Well done to you, your son and his school!”

A second shares, “I am so happy for your son he looked absolutely amazing!!!My son is trans, after 3yrs of transphobic bullying in Jan b4 GCSEs [General Certificate of Secondary Education offered in parts of the UK] I had to take him out of school for his mental health. He was always going to prom in a tux and he was deprived of the chance.”

A third simply writes, “Absolutely stunning! My daughter wore a suit to hers!”