A Boy Goes to Prom Wearing a Red Gown and Lipstick — The Reaction of His Teachers Is Unbelievable

From a young age, a boy held onto a heartfelt dream: he wanted to show up at his prom in a ball gown. His parents, understanding the depth of his desire, decided to make this dream a reality when the time came. But what made this story memorable is the reactions of all the teachers and those of his classmates.

His childhood dream

Prom night is a big deal for teenagers, a memorable step towards adulthood, and a night to shine. Everyone wants to look their best, and parents are usually just as eager to make it a special memory for their kids.

Korben is a teenager who had always been true to himself. He had a penchant for wearing dresses and even had a creative alter ego named Miss Frou Frou. However, when it came time for prom, Korben made a different choice, “he wanted to keep Miss Frou Frou at home”, his mom said. He decided to attend the event as himself, wearing a dress.

Korben’s mom, Nina Green, was supportive of her son’s decision. She understood the importance of letting Korben be authentic on such an important night. It’s about creating a space where young people like Korben can express themselves without fear.

Korben’s story is a heartwarming reminder that prom night is more than just fancy outfits and dancing, and for him, it was a dream inherent into his mind. When he was just 12, he shared a wish — he wanted to wear a dress to his prom. Four years later, at 16, he made that dream come true.

“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 and the reception he got from his whole school was incredible,” his mom wrote as caption on his son’s picture.

She also added in a interview: “He wants 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 (actor) Billy Porter. He wanted to be Korben... but in a dress.”

In his real red-carpet outfit, he felt completely like himself.

In his fancy red carpet-worthy gown, the boy felt an amazing sense of happiness. He had managed to be himself without worrying about what others thought. On the other hand, Korben had his mom’s full support. She wanted to see him “living his best life”. Her support meant the world to him. Korben summed it up by saying, “It sends a message—you can be who you want to be.”

The mom stressed how crucial it is to be accepted, especially by the people we care about: “There are people in the world who still don’t understand, but the feeling of acceptance, you can’t beat that feeling. I am so happy for him.”

He left his school in tears.

When Korben rolled up to his school prom, it was like a scene out of a teen movie. Archbishop Sancroft High School in Harleston, Norfolk, turned into a riot of cheers and hoots as he stepped out of the car in his jaw-dropping outfit. His classmates and even the school staff couldn’t contain their excitement.

Korben’s outfit was something else, a true expression of himself, and it was clear that everyone there appreciated it. The cheers and applause showed that his school community fully embraced his individuality and supported his choices.

Nina, Korben’s mom, shared more insights in an interview later. She shared that even some of the teachers were visibly moved. They couldn’t help but be emotional watching Korben rock his unique style, which was a beautiful testament to self-acceptance and being true to oneself.

“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,” she said. “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.”

The photo on social media caught everyone’s eye and garnered universal support.

Nina took some pictures of her son before he headed off to prom. Showing her support, she shared these on her Twitter, and the response was incredible. The tweet went viral, with lots of people commenting on how happy and fabulous Korben looked at his prom. It got over 4,000 retweets.

She also tagged Michelle Visage, a judge from RuPaul’s Drag Race, who responded, “You are an amazing, beautiful mom, and your child is a star.”

Many people responded by sharing pictures of their kids dressed in similar ways, while others applauded the boy’s parents for supporting his individuality. One wrote: “Looks fabulous! I absolutely love the gown/tux combo. I hope my son is still as confident and comfortable with himself at that age. Never lose your sparkle.”

Nina and her son also attended Pride in London. These were all unforgettable memories for Korben as he transitioned to the next phase of his life. Through their actions, Korben’s parents highlighted the importance of letting children be themselves rather than imposing their own beliefs on them.

His mom concluded: “I just wanted to show parents in the same situation that it’s ok,” she said. “I think it’s so important to fly the flag for people who don’t get the support he does. 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, and for young people to know there is a network there if they need it.”

Stories such as this one are incredibly inspiring and demonstrate that no one should feel afraid of embracing their true selves and wearing what they love.