YouTuber Brendan Jordan: "Fashion Is a Form of Art, and I Don't Think Art Has a Gender"

Impact

For 16-year old YouTube sensation Brendan Jordan, Lady Gaga's 30th birthday is a big damn deal. 

"I'm sure if the school didn't give him the day off, he'd try to convince me [that] it's a national holiday," said his mother, Tracy Jordan, in an email (not to be confused with Tracy Jordan from 30 Rock).

After all, it was Gaga's choreography that catapulted Jordan to fame in October 2014, when a clip of the teen serving up the singer's "Applause" choreography in the background of a local newscast went viral, eventually gaining the attention of Mother Monster herself.

In the year and a half since, Jordan has emerged as a full-out YouTube sensation, with videos about selfies, beauty treatments and gender identity. His "Kylie Jenner Lip Tutorial" video has racked up nearly 3 million views. 

He's also walked the runway at New York Fashion Week, modeled for American Apparel, donned Gaga drag at the inaugural RuPaul's DragCon and even appeared in a campaign for Miley Cyrus' Happy Hippie Foundation

In short, there's far more than 15 minutes of fame here, hunty.

Most recently, Jordan came out as member of transgender community during a speech at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Time to Thrive Conference. To clarify: Brendan is gender fluid. According to his mother, Brendan doesn't prefer one pronoun over the other. "He/she, him/her is okay; either one," she said.

Jordan represents a growing number of teenagers who proudly deviate from the gender binary and use their clothing and makeup as a way to express this. Today, March 28, on the all-important holy day that is Gaga's big 3-0, we chatted with Jordan about his evolution.

Mic: What's the best outfit Gaga's ever worn?

Brendan Jordan: The best outfit Gaga has ever worn would be her meat dress. I think that is also the most iconic thing she ever put on her body. The thought and idea of it is just so different, and so crazy. I don't think anyone except her could've thought of it. It's definitely something that will always be remembered.

Who is your ultimate style icon?

BJ: My ultimate style icon(s) in a fashion sense would have to be the Kardashians, Gaga (of course) and my great-grandmother. They are some pretty stylish people that inspire me daily.

How has your style evolved?

BJ: I think my style evolves everyday. You usually can tell how my day is going/what I'm feeling like by taking a look at my outfit. My style has definitely evolved from a year ago when I used to wear leggings everywhere.

What's one style trend you'd like to see come back?

BJ: One style trend that I'd love to see again is the fad of boys wearing the crop top! I think boys pull off crop tops amazingly and I don't know why that ever went out of style. I would be so happy if I were to see everyone rocking the crop tops. My goal is to make this come back.

What do you make of the genderless clothing craze?

BJ: I am all for the genderless clothing craze. I think it's time we all throw out those tired gender roles and wear what we want. Fashion is a form of art, and I don't think art has a gender. 

Identifying as gender fluid, I think it's important and a big step to see this being done today. It's interesting to see how the world is changing around us; 10-20 years ago I don't even think "genderless" clothing was even a thought. It's truly amazing to see people standing up and fighting for what they believe in and taking down those harmful gender roles. I can't wait to see what the future holds, as this does affect the next generation and will leave nothing but a positive impact that will lead us to a world of love.