Sonny Kiss is not a gimmick.
Don't be fooled by the flamboyant persona of Sonny Kiss. While some want to compare him to Velveteen Dream, Kiss is not playing a character. He is authentic.
"A lot of people compare me to super-awesome, great, flamboyant wrestlers – Goldust, Rico and Velveteen Dream. But little do they know, I’m actually authentic version of these feminine characters. They do a great job at it and I love them all, but at the same time, Sonny Kiss is authentic," Kiss told UPROXX. "I’m just a guy who is feminine, obviously, it’s very apparent. But at the same time, I’m just a wrestler and I’m not a ‘gimmick.’ I’m just this flamboyant, athletic, flipping dude…dude or dudette, however you see it because I’m very ambiguous with my sexuality and gender. I call myself a male but I identify as gender-neutral to the public."
Kiss, who competed in Lucha Underground under the name XO Lishus, signed with All Elite Wrestling earlier this year. Kiss' signing was met with some backlash from homophobic fans, leading to AEW releasing a statement on being all-inclusive.
Kiss doesn't believe AEW is trying to change the minds of people who don’t like LGBTQ identities in their wrestling but is trying to diversify their talent roster and audience outreach.
"I think that’s what AEW is trying to do and not push some ‘agenda.’ I know some people are thinking that and it’s really ridiculous…. Let me also make a disclaimer that AEW, or myself or Nyla is not trying to change anyone’s idea or viewpoint of how life should be for them," said Kiss. "We’re not trying to push anything down anyone’s throat. We’re just giving people who don’t have representation a role model and someone to look up to. We just want to coexist comfortably, and what that means is that I don’t want to change your viewpoint. I just want you to respect me the same way you would want me to respect your opinion."
He is scheduled to compete in the Over The Budget Battle Royale at Double or Nothing.
