Cory Wade Hindorff

Cory Wade Hindorff (born September 21, 1990, in Philadelphia, PA) is an American model, actor, singer, songwriter and LGBTQ activist and spokesperson. He is best known for placing in third place on the 20th cycle of America's Next Top Model, and being the first openly gay male participant in the show.

Early life

Hindorff is the third of four brothers, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 21, 1990. He attended Strath Haven High School there, and later studied musical theater at Point Park University. He focused his early career on live theater, and performed as Angel in Rent at a local equity house in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and Paul in a chorus line in another professional production.

Career

ANTM

Hindorff was selected to participate in the 20th cycle of America's Next Top Model in 2013. The season was unique because it was the first time Tyra Banks allowed both men and women to compete against each for the first place. Throughout the show, Hindorff was forced to mature his inner-self to stand against the criticism of fellow male models and especially judge Rob for being too "feminine" and having a lack of masculine poses for the photoshoots

He described it in an interview: "I went through an identity crisis that almost completely destroyed me when I was on that show. All of that said, my experience on Top Model was incredible and life changing. It was a very positive thing. I just wish I could've desensitized myself to all of the pressure I was receiving to 'man up' or to ‘act straight.’"

Tyra Banks also helped Hindorff get through some tough times during the show: "She told me that what I had to offer was polarizing…and that I should use that to my advantage. That advice has served me very well! She was also the one who recommended that I get into event hosting and red carpet hosting! I've made most of the money I've earned in 2015 through hosting at events and on red carpets so she definitely knew what she was talking about! I love her endlessly."

After his run on the 20th cycle of ANTM he returned for three cameos on the next season.

After ANTM

He went on to do several modeling jobs, including hosting the 2015 Queer Fashion Show and being on the cover of GPhilly.

Music career

In February 2015, he released his first single "I´m Sorry" and followed it with "Carpe Diem" on July that same year. During a trip to London on 2017, he got acquaintanced with pop producer Alan Glass, who produced his first album "Unify" with its first single and music video "There For You" which featured androgynous model Rain Dove, debuted on June 26, 2017. Unify was released on September 2017 via Spotify.

Activism

He is a strong supporter of LGBTQ equality and especially gender-fluid and non-binary clothing choices for queer people. He has been published in the Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, People and others in various articles about gender non-conformity as well as general queer culture in today's society. He advocates for The Door NYC, Adoptions From The Heart, Attic Youth Center and Sound Affects charities and non-profit organizations.

Personal life

According to interviews, he loves to sing, act, model and being a drag queen. Cory resides in New York City, sharing an apartment with fellow queer model and personal friend Rain Dove