A “ Little Big Shots ” star left his mark on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” this week with a goosebump-inducing performance and candid interview.
On Monday, 12-year-old Reuben de Maid wowed fans with his take on the “Dreamgirls” ballad, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” giving Jennifer Holliday, who originated the song on Broadway, a run for her money. But the Welsh native offered wisdom beyond his years in the accompanying interview, offering a frank take on the bullying he’s experienced for wearing makeup.
“In my drama group, I used to get hit, punched and kicked,” de Maid, who said shares his own makeup tips with his mother and sister, explained. “I tried to brush it off, but brushing it off just doesn’t work. So I stood up to them.”
As far as his plans beyond “Little Big Shots” are concerned, de Maid quipped that he would “love to be, like, a Kardashian,” with a show business empire of his own. “I’d love to obviously be onstage, but I also want to have my own make-up brand,” he said.
The talented tween got nothing but praise from DeGeneres, who noted, “Good for you for not stopping being who you are. That’s really tough.”
For the latest in LGBTQ entertainment, check out the Queer Voices newsletter.
