Amanda Lepore

Amanda Lepore is an American transgender model, singer, and performance artist. A former Club Kid, she has appeared in advertising for numerous companies. Lepore is noted as a regular subject in photographer David LaChapelle's work, serving as his muse, as well as many other photographers, such as Terry Richardson and Ruben van Schalm. She participated in LaChapelle's Artists and Prostitutes 1985–2005 exhibit in New York City, where she "lived" in a voyeuristic, life-sized set.Lepore has released several singles, many written by and/or recorded with gay rapper and singer Cazwell. In 2011, she released her debut studio album, I...Amanda Lepore, on Peace Bisquit.

Born Cedar Grove, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupations
Model Socialite Singer Performance artist LGBTQ+ activist
Years active 1989–present
Modeling information
Height 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m)
Hair color Platinum blonde
Eye color Brown
Website amandalepore.com

Early Life and Background

Amanda grew up in the Essex County community of Cedar Grove, New Jersey with one sibling, an older brother. Her father was an Italian-American chemical engineer, and her mother was a German-American housewife. Her mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and spent considerable time in psychiatric hospitals. Lepore later wrote, "Ever since I can first remember, I knew I was a girl. I couldn't understand why my parents were dressing me up in boys' clothing. I thought they were insane."When she was 15 years old, Lepore befriended a transgender dancer named Bambi. Realizing she was transgender from an early age, Lepore began sewing costumes for Bambi in exchange for female hormones. Having already grown isolated from her peers and schooling, Lepore's parents withdrew her from public school and hired a private tutor. They also took her to a psychologist, who successfully helped her obtain a prescription to begin hormone therapy.

Nightlife Career

In the early 1990s, Lepore intended to establish herself as an iconic nightlife figure (including becoming a key member of the Club Kids). She supported herself by working in a nail salon, as a part-time dominatrix, and later as a cosmetics salesgirl for Patricia Field. After meeting photographer David LaChapelle one evening, while hosting at Bowery Bar, she began collaborating with him and became a ‘muse’ of sorts for his work.

Modeling and Media Career

Lepore has had cameos in music videos for artists including Elton John, Thalía, The Dandy Warhols, Girl in a Coma, Grace Jones, Keanan Duffty, Sharon Needles, TIGA (for his cover of "Sunglasses at Night"), and the alt rock band The Drums (for "Days"). Lepore appears in many of Cazwell's music videos, including "Watch my Mouth"and "All Over Your Face".She was Chief of Parade at the 2010 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Australia.[

Music Career

In 2005, Lepore released her first album, Introducing... Amanda Lepore, which contained "Champagne" and "My Hair Looks Fierce". In 2007, she released two remix albums, Fierce Pussy and My Pussy E.P. Lepore performed the main title for Another Gay Movie, "I Know What Boys Like" and "Cotton Candy" from the soundtrack of Another Gay Sequel.Lepore was a part of True Colors Tour 2007, a 15-city North American benefit tour sponsored by the Logo channel, hosted by comedian Margaret Cho and headlined by Cyndi Lauper. The tour benefited the Human Rights Campaign, PFLAG and the Matthew Shepard Foundation, and it included Erasure, Debbie Harry, The Gossip, Rufus Wainwright, The Dresden Dolls, The MisShapes, Rosie O'Donnell, Indigo Girls, The Cliks, and other special guests. In 2009, Lepore performed at the Majestic Theatre during Metro Pride Fest in Detroit with The Divas of the Majestic: A Divine Lites Productions and Founder, Electra Lites.In June 2011, Lepore released her full-length album I...Amanda Lepore at the Highline Ballroom with Cazwell, Kat DeLuna, Neon Hitch, Ana Matronic, Jonté, and many others. Her debut full-length album I...Amanda Lepore was released in 2011 on Peace BiscuitIn 2014, Lepore was featured on drag performer Sharon Needles' single, "I Wish I Were Amanda Lepore", and she guest starred in the music video for the track, depicting Needles as a fan obsessed with getting plastic surgery to look like her.[

References & Sources

Graymay, Kevin (May 14, 2014). "After Prison, No After-Hours: Michael Alig, the Former King of the Club Kids, After Prison". The New York Times.
"Ruben Van Schalm (gallery)". Kahmann Gallery Photographs. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
LaChapelle, David (2005). Artists and Prostitutes. Los Angeles: Taschen America Llc. ISBN 978-3-8228-1617-2.
Williford, Daniel (2009). Queer Aesthetics. Archived April 23, 2018, at the Wayback Machine Borderlands, Vol. 8. No.2.
"Peace Bisquit — Amanda Lepore (artist page)". PeaceBisquit.com. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
Davis, Peter (April 20, 2017). "Amanda Lepore, Confessions From Loving Life as a Living Doll". Observer.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
Bernstein, Jacob (July 19, 2017). "Amanda Lepore, Transgender Club Diva, Tells All About Her Plastic Surgery". The New York Times. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
Peden, Lauren David (September 28, 2005). "Shopping with...Amanda Lepore". dominicantoday.com. Dominican Today. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2011. But that's what makes Amanda (nee Armand) Lepore from Cedar Grove, New Jersey so great. The boy who grew up to be a Vargas pinup girl may be all manufactured artifice on the outside – huge blonde hair, huge red lips, huge gravity-defying boobs.
Musto, Michael (March 11, 2008). "Christian From Project Runway Has a Boyfriend!". villagevoice.com. Village Voice. Archived from the original on February 5, 2013.