Miss Benny

{{short description|American actress, YouTuber and singer}} {{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}{{Use American English|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox person | name = Miss Benny | image = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|2|19}} | birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S. | occupation = {{hlist|YouTuber|singer|actress}} | years_active = 2010–present | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | genre = Synth-pop<ref name=":7" /> | instrument = Vocals | label = | website = | notable_instruments = }} | module2 = {{Infobox youtuber | child = yes | youtube_handle = BennySounds | youtube_display_name = BENNY | youtube_handle2 = benjpierce | youtube_display_name2 = Ben J. Pierce | youtube_id3 = UCewO2w6idSBWqYtrz5WU0ow

| youtube_display_name3 = MISS BENNY | youtube_years_active = 2011–present | youtube_genre = {{Hlist|Music|make-up}} | youtube_subscribers = 293 thousand (BENNY) 206 thousand (Ben J. Pierce) 29.2 thousand (MISS BENNY) | youtube_views = 31.26 million (BENNY) 3.45 million (Ben J. Pierce) 999.2 thousand (MISS BENNY) | stats_update = June 27, 2020{{nu|date=October 2025}} }} }} '''Benny Jean Pierce''' (born February 19, 1999), known professionally as '''Miss Benny''', is an American actress, singer and YouTuber.

== Early life == Benny was born on February 19, 1999, and grew up in Denton, Texas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-26 |title="Glamorous" Star Miss Benny Writes Heartfelt Letter Announcing Her Transition: "My Pronouns Are She/Her" |url=https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a44268200/miss-benny-glamorous-netlfix/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=Seventeen |language=en-US}}</ref> She lived as a closeted teenager before coming out. As she began posting on YouTube, she found an outlet with similar individuals in the online community. She befriended fellow YouTube artists Troye Sivan and Tyler Oakley.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.them.us/story/miss-benny|title=Get Ready — Miss Benny Is Making Gay Glitter Pop Music About Kissing Boys|last=Geiger|first=JJ|date=November 28, 2018|website=Them|language=en|access-date=January 13, 2019|archive-date=January 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114153330/https://www.them.us/story/miss-benny|url-status=live}}</ref> She is of Latin American descent.<ref name="latina">{{Cite web|url=https://latina.com/transformed-by-heartbreak-miss-benny-has-arrived/|title=Transformed by Heartbreak, Miss Benny Has Arrived|last=Novogratz|first=Narciso|date=September 11, 2023|website=Latina|language=en|access-date=January 9, 2025|archive-date=January 9, 2025|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250109110126/https://latina.com/transformed-by-heartbreak-miss-benny-has-arrived/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Career == Benny began posting on YouTube using various channels when she was 11 years old in 2010 as a way to feel less isolated and lonely.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/26/17505592/youtube-creators-vidcon-conan-gray-ben-pierce-macdoesit-chandlernwilson|title=Four YouTube stars on being young, lonely, then wildly successful|last=Alexander|first=Julia|date=June 26, 2018|website=Polygon|access-date=January 13, 2019|archive-date=January 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116200957/https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/26/17505592/youtube-creators-vidcon-conan-gray-ben-pierce-macdoesit-chandlernwilson|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, she began posting under the YouTube channel, KidPOV. She began posting under her own name in 2016.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://celebmix.com/youtuber-week-ben-j-pierce/|title=YouTuber of the Week: Ben J. Pierce|last=Low|first=Celine|date=November 13, 2016|website=CelebMix|language=en-GB|access-date=January 13, 2019|archive-date=January 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116201036/https://celebmix.com/youtuber-week-ben-j-pierce/|url-status=live}}</ref> She frequently discusses gender and identity. Benny has done makeup tutorials and collaborated with other media personalities including Tyler Oakley and James Charles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/best-beauty-youtuber-ben-j-pierce|title=Why You Should Follow Beauty YouTuber Ben J. Pierce|last=Santiago|first=Sean|date=January 3, 2017|website=Teen Vogue|language=en|access-date=January 13, 2019|archive-date=January 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116201109/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/best-beauty-youtuber-ben-j-pierce|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/9-must-watch-youtube-channels/|title=9 underrated YouTube channels to watch in 2016|last=Votta|first=Rae|date=January 1, 2016|website=The Daily Dot|language=en|access-date=January 13, 2019|archive-date=November 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114224645/https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/9-must-watch-youtube-channels/|url-status=live}}</ref> Her YouTube channel also includes humorous skits.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://celebmix.com/ben-j-pierce-releases-new-single-boys-will-boys/|title=Ben J. Pierce releases new single "Boys Will Be Boys"|last=Low|first=Celine|date=December 10, 2016|website=CelebMix|access-date=January 13, 2019|archive-date=January 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116201116/https://celebmix.com/ben-j-pierce-releases-new-single-boys-will-boys/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Music === In 2014, Benny released the song "Little Game". She 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/48950-15-year-old-ben-j-pierces-little-games-music-video-takes-on-gender-roles-in-an-epic-way|title=15-Year-Old Ben J. Pierce's "Little Games" Music Video Takes on Gender Roles In an Epic Way|last=Cueto|first=Emma|date=November 12, 2014|website=Bustle|language=en|access-date=January 13, 2019|archive-date=January 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116201052/https://www.bustle.com/articles/48950-15-year-old-ben-j-pierces-little-games-music-video-takes-on-gender-roles-in-an-epic-way|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016, Benny was cast as Smiley in season 2 of go90's ''Guidance''.<ref name=":2" /> Also in 2016, Benny released the single "Boys Will Be Boys", which is about toxic masculinity.<ref name=":2" /> It features melodic tones, smooth vocals, and drum beats.<ref name=":2" /> Music critic Nic Kelly reviewed the song positively, describing its style as somewhere between Odesza and Drumaq.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.projectu.tv/bennys-boys-will-be-boys-is-a-carefully-considered-triumph/|title=Benny's 'Boys Will Be Boys' is a carefully considered triumph|last=Kelley|first=Nic|date=December 10, 2016|website=Project U|language=en-US|access-date=January 13, 2019|archive-date=January 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117013312/https://www.projectu.tv/bennys-boys-will-be-boys-is-a-carefully-considered-triumph/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The song's music video was filmed and edited by YouTuber and filmmaker Chase vs Everything, and featured Kalama Epstein.

In 2017, Benny released the R&B single "Never Apart".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.projectu.tv/benny-never-apart-ben-j-pierce/|title=Benny's put out a plodding R&B song called 'Never Apart'|last=Kelley|first=Nic|date=June 2, 2017|website=Project U|language=en-US|access-date=January 13, 2019|archive-date=January 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116200930/https://www.projectu.tv/benny-never-apart-ben-j-pierce/|url-status=dead}}</ref> She directed the video which was shot by Chase vs Everything.

==== Style ==== Benny names Bob Mizer as one of her aesthetic influences.<ref name=":7" /> She strives to create music that is glittery synth-pop, bubbly, and "very gay and very queer." Benny listens to pop musicians Charli XCX and Carly Rae Jepsen. She also listens to rap and hip hop.<ref name=":7" />

=== Acting === In 2018, Benny appeared in the sitcom ''Fuller House'' as Casey, the show's first openly gay character.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.advocate.com/television/2018/12/18/gay-fuller-house-writer-dishes-shows-queer-characters|title=A Gay 'Fuller House' Writer Dishes on the Show's Queer Characters|last=Broverman|first=Neal|date=December 18, 2018|website=Advocate|language=en|access-date=January 13, 2019|archive-date=January 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115023046/https://www.advocate.com/television/2018/12/18/gay-fuller-house-writer-dishes-shows-queer-characters|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, she indirectly claimed in a TikTok video that ''Fuller House'' star Candace Cameron Bure had campaigned for her character's removal from the show due to her character's queer identity. Bure denied the claims.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/tv/candace-cameron-bure-denies-miss-benny-claim-remove-queer-character-fuller-house/ |title=Candace Cameron Bure refutes Miss Benny's claim that she tried to remove queer character from Fuller House |last=Nolfi |first=Joey |website=ew.com |publisher=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=July 7, 2023}}</ref> She was cast in the series ''Reverie'' in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonblade.com/2019/02/28/youtuber-ben-j-pierce-cast-as-gender-non-conforming-lead-on-cw-series/|title=YouTuber Ben J. Pierce cast as gender non-conforming lead on CW series|last=Cooper|first=Mariah|date=February 28, 2019|website=Washington Blade|language=en-US|access-date=June 14, 2019|archive-date=March 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301144320/https://www.washingtonblade.com/2019/02/28/youtuber-ben-j-pierce-cast-as-gender-non-conforming-lead-on-cw-series/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2019, she 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."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/02/the-cw-pilot-glamorous-gender-nonconforming-teen-lead-ben-j-pierce-cast-pierson-fode-michael-rauch-1202565692/|title=The CW Pilot 'Glamorous' Finds Its Gender-Nonconforming Teen Lead In Ben J. Pierce, Casts Pierson Fodé, Adds EP|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=February 26, 2019|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=June 14, 2019|archive-date=June 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602190750/https://deadline.com/2019/02/the-cw-pilot-glamorous-gender-nonconforming-teen-lead-ben-j-pierce-cast-pierson-fode-michael-rauch-1202565692/|url-status=live}}</ref> The show was then dropped and picked up by Netflix after the coronavirus pandemic. It premiered June 22, 2023. In an essay published in ''Time'' magazine, Benny revealed that the character will transition, alongside her own transition in real life.<ref name="people" /><ref name="time" />

Benny has been the voice of Angel in ''Craig of the Creek'' since season 4.

== Personal life == {{as of|2023|June|post=,}} Benny lives in Los Angeles, California.<ref name="time">{{Cite magazine |date=2023-06-26 |title=Miss Benny Is Glamorous— And Transgender |url=https://time.com/6290125/miss-benny-glamorous-transgender/ |access-date=2023-06-26 |magazine=TIME |language=en |archive-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626165459/https://time.com/6290125/miss-benny-glamorous-transgender/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Benny is a transgender woman.<ref name="people">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/miss-benny-comes-out-as-transgender-in-candid-essay-7553507|title='Glamorous' Star Miss Benny Comes Out as Transgender in Candid Essay: 'I'm a Proud Person'|date=26 June 2023|work=People Magazine|access-date=26 June 2023|archive-date=June 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627034510/https://people.com/miss-benny-comes-out-as-transgender-in-candid-essay-7553507|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="time"/> She uses she/her pronouns.<ref>{{Cite web|title= Miss benny (@missbenny) • Instagram photos and videos|url= https://www.instagram.com/missbenny/|access-date= August 3, 2022|archive-date= August 3, 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220803221815/https://www.instagram.com/missbenny/|url-status= live}}</ref> She has three older siblings who assist with aspects of video production, including crafting props and designing hair and makeup.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/ben-j-pierce-little-games/|title=This 15-year-old created a hauntingly good music video about gender roles|last=Votta|first=Rae|date=November 12, 2014|website=The Daily Dot|language=en|access-date=January 14, 2019|archive-date=January 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116200814/https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/ben-j-pierce-little-games/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Discography ==

=== Singles === * "Little Game" (2014)<ref name=":0" /> * "Boys Will Be Boys" (2016)<ref name=":1" />{{unreliable source?|date=January 2019|certain=y}} * "Never Apart" (2017)<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Jake |first=Nathan |date=June 16, 2017 |title=Benny's 'Never Apart' video is so cute |url=https://www.projectu.tv/bennys-never-apart-video-is-so-cute/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117013336/https://www.projectu.tv/bennys-never-apart-video-is-so-cute/ |archive-date=January 17, 2019 |access-date=January 13, 2019 |website=Project U |language=en-US}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=January 2019|certain=y}} * "Rendezvous" (2019) * "Every Boy" (2019) * "That's My Man" (2019) * "One Damn Good Mistake" (2019) * "Break Away" (2023)

== Filmography == {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- |2011 |''BrainSurge'' |Herself |Television |- |2016 |''Guidance'' | Smiley<ref name=":2" /> |Television |- |2018 |''Fuller House'' |Casey<ref name=":8" /> |Television |- |2021 |''Love, Victor'' |Mylo |Television |- |2021 |''American Horror Stories'' |Dee |Television |- |2022 |''Craig of the Creek'' |Angel (2nd voice) |Television |- |2023 |''Glamorous'' |Marco<ref>{{cite news |last=Vognar |first=Chris |title=With 'Glamorous,' Miss Benny Gets a Platform Makeover |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/22/arts/television/glamorous-miss-benny.html |access-date=June 22, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622223540/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/22/arts/television/glamorous-miss-benny.html/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |Television |}

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == * {{IMDb name}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pierce, Ben J.}} Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters Category:21st-century American women singers Category:American child singers Category:American queer actresses Category:American transgender actresses Category:American women singer-songwriters Category:Beauty and makeup YouTubers Category:LGBTQ people from Texas Category:LGBTQ YouTubers Category:American music YouTubers Category:Musicians from Dallas Category:Singer-songwriters from Texas Category:YouTube channels launched in 2011 Category:YouTubers from Dallas Category:Queer women singers Category:Transgender women singers Category:Hispanic and Latino American actors Category:Hispanic and Latino American LGBTQ people Category:American LGBTQ women singers Category:American queer singers