Missouri school crowns first male Homecoming queen, moment goes viral on TikTok

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Dressed in a glittering, golden, floor-length gown, Zachary Willmore achieved a first for Rock Bridge High School.

Although the tradition of high school Homecoming queens dates back as far as high school Homecomings go, Zachary, 18, on Friday, Oct. 22 became the first male Homecoming queen in the school's history.

"Honestly, it's an experience," Zachary said during a phone interview.

It almost doesn't feel real, he said.

None of the high school girls were jealous that he was named Homecoming queen, said Zachary, a senior. They all were supportive — especially his fellow cheerleaders, who rushed to embrace him after he was crowned.

Willmore's coronation went viral on TikTok, a social media app for making and sharing short videos, garnering around 765,500 likes and over 12,000 comments. Willmore has a staggering 1.1 million followers on the app.

"Overall, it's been a really great experience," Zachary said of his TikTok fame.

His grandparents were in the stands the night he was crowned Homecoming queen. Although he had never formally come out to them as gay, he said he didn't think it was a surprise to them.

Besides being named Homecoming queen, Zachary said he has been able to convince school officials to relax the dress code to accommodate his styles. His advice to other students for doing the same has over 25,000 likes on TikTok.

Zachary is one of the students who makes being an educator so rewarding, Rock Bridge Assistant Principal Darlene Grant wrote in an email. She described the exchanges they have together.

"From the day I met him … I knew Zach was a force," Grant wrote. "I admired his tenacity, his style and his self-confidence. During his time here at Rock Bridge, I have watched Zach grow as a student and a person. I love his willingness to engage with everyone and make us laugh. I also love his sense of style.

"Each time he comes to my office to show me his latest outfit, my response is, 'You Betta Slay!' He responds, 'Period,' then we laugh really loud. He has a way of brightening my day even when we have to discuss a problem."

She knows Zachary will do awesome things for himself and the world, she wrote.

"I love her," Zachary said after being read Grant's email. "She's my favorite person at the school."

Although the new source of admiration has been interesting, he said he fears that people who aren't as open to his lifestyle may cause him problems.

"I'm kind of worried," he said. "A lot of people tell me I need to be safer now."

He hasn't lost his confidence, however, posting a response to his detractors on TikTok addressing his coronation.

"And for all the haters on my page," he said, "thanks for boosting my video. Because of you guys, I have an interview with NBC. We love, love, love it."

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: First male Homecoming queen at Missouri school goes viral on TikTok

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