LaMont is a music artist and a model, best known for being the youngest and first black winner of “Pride’s Got Talent” 2018 and identifying deeply with queer culture. Even as a twenty three-year old music artist and model, people described LaMont’s look as feminine. They wanted to put LaMont in a dress to make him look more edgy and to “fit his profile”. He describes his look as the “New Masculine”, without knowing what the future will bring.
For LaMont, new masculinity is when a man is possessing qualities or an appearance that aren’t traditionally associated with men or boys.
How did growing up influence your style?
Secondary school played a huge role in my self-discovery. A particularly defining moment occurred during my first year. I vividly remember being in awe of the most popular girl in school. I must have been about twelve years old. I loved her style and the confidence that she projected. From her makeup, long flowing hair and tight Lycra trousers, to how she wore her Paul’s boutique handbag with her matching designer jacket. She was the “IT girl” and I wanted to be just like her. Style and popularity , it wasn’t about gender.
But school was also tumultuous as I got older. Shortly after coming out, I was often teased for “wanting to be a girl”. I would go to school in makeup and have my hair in braids. Although I knew my intention was never to appear effeminate, I was aware that some of my styling choices were considered “ultra feminine” but even so, I didn’t care. Some would call it “rebellious.” But doing what I want and when I want has always just been natural to me.
What’s your perspective on men who who wear makeup and heels?
Men in makeup dates back centuries and continues to this day in many different cultures. A prime example of this is the African Woodabe tribe. Men will spend hours doing their makeup every day before herding the cattle. The Gerewol fertility festival, in AKA “the wife-stealing festival” sees men of this tribe dress up and compete in a series of dances to win the admiration of female judges. We all know about the archetypal “dandy” (in western culture) – A man or woman who plays with the presentation of their masculinity or femininity and is considered the epitome of heteronormative in Georgian Society. Good looking, well groomed, rich, quite the “catch” in many people’s eyes.
I wear heels because it makes me feel powerful. Traditionally, men wore heels in western society, as a status symbol, demonstrating their wealth power and royalty. I believe that in modern western culture men have lost much of their dandyism. Although, in my case, it is still alive and kicking baby. I want see more men exploring their dandyism and claiming back their masculinity.
Do you feel pressure to conform to beauty standards?
As a man of African Caribbean heritage, I continually feel the pressure to conform to media stereotypes of big, black, male,hypermasculinity. The stereotype often means looking like you go to the gym, having a swagger that is motivated more by sexual conquests and brawn rather than brains. I want people to see me, not just my ethnicity and gender with the stereotypes that may come with it. I am a man. And my masculinity is on my own terms. “And that’s on period.”
What is your dream?
My dream would be to see a famous black male music artist performing at the Capital FM summertime ball with their face beat, wearing a killer jumpsuit, and platform heels. Why? Because they can.
YASS Magazine 