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Dashaun Wesley

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Dashaun Wesley is an American dancer,[1][2] actor,[3][4] choreographer,[5] and ballroom performer,[6][7] MC,[8][9] and commentator.[10][11] He is known for hosting the voguing competition series Legendary[12] and for his appearances on the television series America's Best Dance Crew[13] and Pose.[14] He is often called the "King of Vogue".[15][16][17][18]

Early life

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Wesley was born in Brooklyn, New York[16] and grew up in its Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.[19] He began dancing at age four.[20] Wesley first encountered voguing at 14[21] and became involved with the ballroom scene as a teenager.[16]

Career

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Wesley has worked as a dance[7][22] and vogue instructor.[23][24]

Ballroom

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Wesley became involved in ballroom as a teenager in the late 1990s[18] and has competed in balls frequently since then,[19] also hosting[18] and commentating at balls.[25] He began emceeing balls in 2003,[14] and first performed voguing "in front of a big crowd" in 2005 or 2006.[19] Wesley has been a member of a number of houses, including the House of Latex (which he joined in 2000),[19] the House of Evisu,[26] and the House of Lanvin,[27] in which he was a father.[28][18] He is the founder[29] and father[30] of the House of Basquiat, which debuted on the second season of Legendary in 2021.[31] Along with the House of Garçons, he was featured in the 2023 Capital Pride parade in Washington, D.C.[32][33]

He is a ballroom legend[34] and received icon status in 2018.[35]

Film and television

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In 2009, Wesley competed on the fourth season[36] of America's Best Dance Crew as a member of the group Vogue Evolution.[37] In 2013, he appeared as a dancer[38] on Hit the Floor.[39] In 2015, Wesley appeared in the film Magic Mike XXL,[40] for which he also instructed Channing Tatum in voguing.[41] Later that year he was an ensemble member in The Wiz Live![42] Wesley played Shadow Wintour (also known as Shadow Khan)[43] in seasons two[44] and three of Pose on FX.[19] In 2020, he was announced as the host of the HBO Max ballroom competition series Legendary,[45] and served as host and MC[46] over the show’s three seasons.[3] In 2022, he was featured in Billy Porter's[47] performance at the BET Awards.[48]

Music

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In 2013, Wesley was featured as a dancer in the music video for Fergie's song "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)".[49] In 2015, he performed as a vogue dancer[50] and commentator for FKA Twigs' show "Congregata".[24] Wesley was a dancer for Rihanna's 2016 Anti world tour[51] and featured in Teyana Taylor's 2018 K.T.S.E. tour.[52] He also appeared in the music video for Taylor's song "Work this Pussy".[35]

Wesley is a member of MikeQ's label Qween Beat[53][13] and was featured on the track "Walk" on its 2016 collection Qweendom.[54] In 2023, he was featured on the song "Giant Bird in a Man Suit" on the cast recording of the off-Broadway musical Lewberger: The Wizard of Friendship.[55] In 2024, Wesley released the song "Ovah the Top" featuring 808 BEACH and Kiwi Dreams.[56] Later that year he was featured on the vogue remix of "Crazy" by Le Sserafim.[57]

Personal life

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Wesley is gay[17][58] and lives in Los Angeles.[59]

References

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  1. ^ Hess, Liam (May 5, 2021). "Megan Thee Stallion, Law Roach, and Their Fellow Legendary Judges on the Ballroom Competition's Triumphant Return". Vogue. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  2. ^ Manzella, Sam (June 19, 2020). "Meet the Logo30: Dashaun Wesley". LOGO News. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Zorrilla, Mónica Marie (June 17, 2021). "'Legendary' Renewed for Season 3 at HBO Max". Variety. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  4. ^ Armus, Teo (February 6, 2020). "HBO Max was slammed for picking Jameela Jamil to host a show on an LGBTQ subculture. Then she came out as queer". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  5. ^ Portwood, Jerry (May 19, 2015). "Dashaun Wesley: XXL Talent". Out. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  6. ^ Wilkinson, Isabel; Hou, Kathleen (February 8, 2014). "Meet the Voguers From the Hood by Air Show". The Cut. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Taylor, Andrew (January 16, 2015). "Voguing steps back into fashion". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  8. ^ Bernstein, Jacob (July 25, 2012). "Paris Is Still Burning". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  9. ^ Trimboli, Isabella (February 25, 2019). "Sissy Ball: Sydney's queer community of colour celebrates in dizzying style". The Guardian. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  10. ^ Ryan, Hugh (June 18, 2018). "How Ball Culture Has Changed Since the Era of 'Pose'". them. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  11. ^ Moore, Madison (2018). Fabulous: The Rise of the Beautiful Eccentric. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. p. 197. ISBN 978-0-300-20470-4. OCLC 1002676613.
  12. ^ "'What's So Important About This Is Representation': Jameela Jamil & Dashaun Wesley On HBO Max's 'Legendary'". CBS Los Angeles. May 27, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  13. ^ a b Shorey, Eric (July 9, 2015). "Dashaun Wesley, The Voguer From "Magic Mike XXL", Is The Best". LOGO News. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  14. ^ a b Wang, Lydia (May 27, 2020). "A Guide To The Iconic Judges of HBO Max's Legendary". Refinery29. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  15. ^ Abbas, Sabrina (June 15, 2020). "Jameela Jamil and Dashaun Wesley Discuss Ballroom Culture, new HBO Max Show Legendary". L'Officiel. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  16. ^ a b c Patterson, Denny (August 12, 2021). "Dashaun Wesley: The King of Vogue on How to Be Legendary". OUT FRONT. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Gonzales, Erica (June 22, 2020). "'Legendary' Stars Talk Their Journeys in Ballroom Culture and What Makes a True Ally". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  18. ^ a b c d Anderson, Tre'vell (May 22, 2020). "King of Vogue Dashaun Wesley hosts 'Legendary'". Xtra Magazine. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  19. ^ a b c d e Fraser, Kristopher (January 18, 2022). "The Category is Dashaun Wesley". AS IF Magazine. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  20. ^ Gilcrease, Grayson (June 10, 2021). "Legendary's Dashaun Wesley on Voguing and Why Sisqó "Will Forever Be" His Favorite Artist". POPSUGAR. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  21. ^ Robledo, Jordan (May 28, 2021). "Exclusive: Dashaun Wesley on his ballroom beginnings and the impact of HBO Max's Legendary". GAY TIMES. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  22. ^ Tracer, Daniel (January 8, 2016). "Young Russian Boy Slays Vogue-Off, Keeps Hope Alive". Queerty. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  23. ^ Tharrett, Matthew (January 11, 2016). "Young Russian Boy Challenges Classmate To Vogue Battle, Slays Ha". LOGO News. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  24. ^ a b Escobedo Shepherd, Julianne (May 19, 2015). "How FKA twigs' Wild 'Congregata' Subverts the Conventional Pop Concert". Jezebel. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  25. ^ Alter, Rebecca (July 8, 2020). "Category Is: Q&A With Legendary Ballroom MC Dashaun Wesley". Vulture. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  26. ^ Escobedo Shepherd, Julianne (July 8, 2015). "Magic Mike XXL Voguer Dashaun Wesley Talks Channing, FKA twigs & More". Jezebel. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  27. ^ Street, Mikelle (June 11, 2020). "Meet the HBO Max 'Legendary' 8 Houses of Ballroom". Out. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  28. ^ Street, Mikelle (September 5, 2019). "Please Let Mj Rodriguez Vogue in 'Pose' Season 3". Out. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  29. ^ Orellana Hernandez, Angie (June 11, 2021). "Other shows may make a 'mockery' of vogue. 'Legendary' sought ballroom's blessing". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  30. ^ Reddish, David (June 10, 2021). "Dashaun Wesley spills on his 'Legendary' fashion and hosting skills". Queerty. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  31. ^ Street, Mikelle (September 18, 2021). "Marc Jacobs Now Has a Ballroom House Named After Him in Historic First". Out. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  32. ^ Hewitt, Denise Stephanie (2023-06-12). "Dashaun Wesley and The House of Garçon Team Up to Celebrate Ballroom Legacy". Hypebae. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  33. ^ Reynolds, Jess. "21 Legendary Pics From 'The Ballroom Is Open' & Capital Pride 2023". Pride.com. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  34. ^ Street, Mikelle (May 5, 2018). "It Takes More Than A Good Read To Be a Ballroom Icon or Legend". them. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  35. ^ a b Street, Mikelle (January 24, 2019). "13 Ballroom Notables Teyana Taylor Cast For Her "WTP" Video". Out. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  36. ^ Scheetz, Cameron (June 9, 2021). "How Legendary celebrates ballroom's longevity and looks to the future". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  37. ^ Sullivan, Beth (June 5, 2020). "It's No Drag: The Past, Present, and Possibilities of Ballroom at ATX Television". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  38. ^ San Vicente, Romeo (March 4, 2020). "Deep Inside Hollywood". PrideSource. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  39. ^ "See the Full 2020 Out100 List Here". Out. November 19, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  40. ^ Boone, Keyaira (May 27, 2022). "Channing Tatum was inspired to learn how to vogue on the set of 'Magic Mike XXL,' 'Legendary' host says". Insider. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  41. ^ Schaefer, Brian (July 23, 2015). "Vogueing Is Still Burning Up the Dance Floor in New York". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  42. ^ McPhee, Ryan (October 28, 2015). "Capathia Jenkins, Marcus Paul James & More Broadway Alums Tapped for The Wiz Live!; Complete Cast Set". Broadway.com. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  43. ^ Street, Mikelle (May 3, 2021). "These Are the True Stories Behind 'Pose's 'Unruly' House of Khan". Out. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  44. ^ Rodriguez, Joe (October 4, 2019). "20 Queer Q's with Dashaun Wesley". PRIDE. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  45. ^ Petski, Denise (February 5, 2020). "Jameela Jamil Replaced By Dashaun Wesley As Host Of Voguing Competition Series 'Legendary' – Update". Deadline. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  46. ^ Romano, Nick (April 27, 2022). "Watch 'Legendary' season 3 trailer with Keke Palmer taking over for Megan Thee Stallion". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  47. ^ Germain, Tabie (June 27, 2022). "BET Awards 2022: Here are the Most Surprising and Can't Miss Moments of the Night". BET. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  48. ^ McNab, Kaitlyn (June 27, 2022). "BET Awards 2022: All the Best Moments & Surprises". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  49. ^ Zephir, Shea (September 9, 2013). "A Little VOGUE Never Killed Nobody". Get Out!. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  50. ^ Silver, Jocelyn (October 16, 2015). "We Talked to FKA twigs' Voguing Collaborator Derek FKA Jamel Prodigy". VICE. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  51. ^ Borge, Jonathan (June 29, 2021). "Legendary Host Dashaun Wesley Isn't Done Championing Ballroom Culture". Elite Daily. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  52. ^ Escalera, Arkee (September 13, 2018). "8 Mainstream Musicians Who Showcased the Ballroom Scene in Their Work". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  53. ^ Villeneuve, Phil (October 21, 2016). "Yohomo's Q&A with Ballroom Diva and DJ MikeQ". Yohomo. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  54. ^ Royce, Andrew (August 12, 2016). "MikeQ's Qween Beat releases Qweendom compilation". RA. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  55. ^ Hall, Margaret (2023-06-22). "Hear a Track From Upcoming Lewberger Musical Cast Album The Wizard of Friendship". Playbill. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  56. ^ Filipski, Drew (2024-05-10). "Camila Cabello & Lil Nas X team up, Dashaun Wesley spills over the top & Adam Lambert reimagines an old classic". Queerty. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  57. ^ "LE SSERAFIM unveils Vogue remix visualizer for 'CRAZY'". allkpop. 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  58. ^ Nunn, Jerry (June 24, 2020). "Dashaun Wesley spills the tea on HBO Max's 'Legendary'". Windy City Times. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  59. ^ Assuncao, Muri (June 1, 2020). "Dashaun Wesley, the 'Legendary' MC of HBO Max's new voguing competition series, spills the tea on bringing underground queer ballroom culture into the mainstream". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
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