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United States Chella Man is a multidisciplinary artist, model, and actor recognized for his authentic representation and advocacy for the deaf, LGBTQ+, and Asian communities.
Chella Man and Private Policy collaborated on a jewelry collection amplifying hearing devices like cochlear implants, making them a statement of beauty rather than something to conceal. Chella Man filmed his own video project for this collaboration, titled 'The Beauty of Being Deaf.'
Chella Man released a capsule collection in collaboration with American retailer Opening Ceremony. He worked with the label on a collection of hand-painted pieces.
Chella Man became one of the first out transmasculine non-binary and genderqueer faces to work with a major beauty brand, as a member of the team of young influencers that Yves Saint Laurent assembled to promote their Nu Collection, aimed at a Gen Z audience.
Chella Man was born on November 26, 1998, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, to parents of Chinese and Jewish descent. He began losing his hearing at four, becoming profoundly deaf by 13, and received cochlear implants at ages 14 and 16. In 2017, Man began transitioning with testosterone after experiencing gender dysphoria throughout his childhood. During this period, he launched his YouTube channel to document his journey, discuss identity, and share American Sign Language translations of popular songs. His unique perspective as a deaf, gender-queer, Asian, and Jewish individual quickly resonated, addressing a significant representational gap in media and online platforms.
Man’s career progression highlights his dedication to authentic representation. In May 2018, he delivered a TedX Talk titled “Becoming Him,” focusing on his transition and issues faced by LGBTQ+ youth and individuals with disabilities. He signed with IMG in September 2018, becoming their first Deaf Jewish-Asian model, and has since modeled for prominent brands like Calvin Klein, Gap, and American Eagle, and appeared in publications such as Vogue and Dazed. His acting debut in March 2019 as Jericho in the DC Universe series “Titans” marked a significant milestone, as he emphasized the importance of disabled actors for disabled roles. He has also been a producer for “Trans in Trumpland” (2021).
Beyond modeling and acting, Man is an accomplished artist, incorporating painting, tattoo design, and fashion into his work. In 2021, he released his book, “Continuum,” through Penguin Random House, as part of the Pocket Change Collective series which promotes discussions on gender, sexuality, activism, and intersectionality. His art also extends to innovative projects, such as a jewelry collection designed to accentuate hearing aids, promoting positive visibility within the deaf community, showcased in his 2021 short film “The Beauty of Being Deaf.” In 2023, he directed and co-produced “The Device That Turned Me Into a Cyborg Was Born the Same Year I Was,” further exploring his relationship with his cochlear implant and deaf identity. Man’s commitment to self-representation and advocacy across various platforms has earned him numerous honors, including the GLAAD Out100 (2018), and being named a Dazed 100 honoree (2019).
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