Ben J. Pierce

Ben J. Pierce (born February 19, 1999), also known as Miss Benny, is an American singer-songwriter, YouTuber and actor.

Ben J. Pierce
Born (1999-02-19) February 19, 1999
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Occupation
  • YouTuber
  • singer-songwriter
  • actor
Years active2010–present
Musical career
Genressynth-pop[1]
InstrumentsVocals
YouTube information
Channels
Years active2011–present
GenreMusic, make-up
Subscribers279 thousand (BENNY)
206 thousand (Ben J. Pierce)
29.2 thousand (MISS BENNY)
Total views31.26 million (BENNY)
3.45 million (Ben J. Pierce)
999.2 thousand (MISS BENNY)
100,000 subscribers
Updated: June 27, 2020

Early life

Ben J. Pierce was born in Dallas, Texas on February 19, 1999.[2][3] He lived as a closeted teenager before coming out. As Pierce began posting on YouTube, he found an outlet with other similar individuals in the online community. He befriended fellow YouTube artists Troye Sivan and Tyler Oakley.[1]

Career

Pierce began posting on YouTube using various channels when he was 11 years old in 2010 as a way to feel less isolated and lonely.[2] In 2012, he began posting under the YouTube channel, KidPOV. He began posting under his own name in 2016.[4] He frequently discusses gender and identity. Pierce has done makeup tutorials and collaborated with other media personalities including Tyler Oakley and James Charles.[5][6] His YouTube channel also includes humorous skits.[7]

In 2014, Pierce released the song "Little Game". He wrote the lyrics and directed and produced the music video with assistance from Tumi Mphahlele. The song and video rebuff forcing children into traditional gender roles.[8]

In 2016, Pierce was cast as Smiley in season 2 of go90's Guidance.[7]

Pierce also produces music under the name Miss Benny. Pierce released the single "Boys Will Be Boys" in 2016. The song's music video was filmed and edited by YouTuber and filmmaker Chase vs Everything. Kalama Epstein is featured in the music video.[9] The song is about toxic masculinity and heteronormativity.[7][9] It features melodic tones, smooth vocals, and drum beats.[7] Nic Kelly of Project U had a positive review of the song, describing its style as somewhere between Odesza and Drumaq.[10]

In 2017, Pierce released the single "Never Apart". He directed the video which was shot by Chase vs Everything. The video earned praise from Project U which described it as having a "90s vibe."[11] Kelley of Project U describes the song as an dark R&B track similar to Leland and Tom Aspaul.[12]

In 2017, Pierce was managed by Lisa Filipelli of Flip Management.[13]

In 2018, Pierce appeared in the sitcom Fuller House as Casey, the shows first openly gay character.[14] He was cast in the series Reverie.[15] In 2019, he was cast as the lead for The CW pilot Glamorous playing Marco, an "ambitious and creative gender-nonconforming teenager who uses makeup and fashion to let his queer self bloom."[16]

Artistry

Pierce names Bob Mizer as one of his aesthetic influence.[1] He strives to create music that is glittery synth-pop, bubbly, and "very gay and very queer." Pierce listens to pop musicians Charli XCX and Carly Rae Jepsen. He also listens to rap and hip hop.[1] Pierce often goes by the nickname Miss Benny to portray a masculine but still feminine image.[1]

Personal life

Pierce lives in Los Angeles, California as of June 2018. He is a proud representative of the LGBT community.[2] Pierce identifies as gay and queer.[1] He has three older siblings who assist in aspects of video production including crafting props and design hair and makeup.[17]

Discography

Singles
  • "Little Game" (2014)[8]
  • "Boys Will Be Boys" (2016)[10]
  • "Never Apart" (2017)[11]
  • "Rendezvous" (2019)
  • "Every Boy" (2019)
  • "That's My Man" (2019)
  • "One Damn Good Mistake" (2019)

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2016 Guidance Smiley[7] Television
2018 Fuller House Casey[14] Television

See also

References
  1. Geiger, JJ (November 28, 2018). "Get Ready — Miss Benny Is Making Gay Glitter Pop Music About Kissing Boys". them. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  2. Alexander, Julia (June 26, 2018). "Four YouTube stars on being young, lonely, then wildly successful". Polygon. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  3. "Ben J. Pierce Snapchat, Twitter, Tumbler, Wiki, Net Worth In 2019". Top Networth. January 8, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  4. Low, Celine (November 13, 2016). "YouTuber of the Week: Ben J. Pierce". CelebMix. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  5. Santiago, Sean (January 3, 2017). "Why You Should Follow Beauty YouTuber Ben J. Pierce". Teen Vogue. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  6. Votta, Rae (January 1, 2016). "9 underrated YouTube channels to watch in 2016". The Daily Dot. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  7. Low, Celine (December 10, 2016). "Ben J. Pierce releases new single "Boys Will Be Boys"". CelebMix. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  8. Cueto, Emma (November 12, 2014). "15-Year-Old Ben J. Pierce's "Little Games" Music Video Takes on Gender Roles In an Epic Way". Bustle. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  9. "Pop Singer/Songwriter Benny Highlights the Toxicity Within Masculine Culture in New Single "Boys Will Be Boys"". Ouch That Hertz!. December 13, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  10. Kelley, Nic (December 10, 2016). "Benny's 'Boys Will Be Boys' is a carefully considered triumph". Project U. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  11. Jake, Nathan (June 16, 2017). "Benny's 'Never Apart' video is so cute". Project U. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  12. Kelley, Nic (June 2, 2017). "Benny's put out a plodding R&B song called 'Never Apart'". Project U. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  13. Spangler, Todd (May 15, 2017). "Tyler Oakley and Ingrid Nilsen's Manager Lisa Filipelli Exits Awesomeness' Big Frame". Variety. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  14. Broverman, Neal (December 18, 2018). "A Gay 'Fuller House' Writer Dishes on the Show's Queer Characters". Advocate. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  15. Cooper, Mariah (February 28, 2019). "YouTuber Ben J. Pierce cast as gender non-conforming lead on CW series". Washington Blade. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  16. Andreeva, Nellie (February 26, 2019). "The CW Pilot 'Glamorous' Finds Its Gender-Nonconforming Teen Lead In Ben J. Pierce, Casts Pierson Fodé, Adds EP". Deadline. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  17. Votta, Rae (November 12, 2014). "This 15-year-old created a hauntingly good music video about gender roles". The Daily Dot. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
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