Star aerialist and silks artist Brandon Pereyda, 23, was born in Las Vegas, where he still maintains his home. Gymnastics began for Brandon in middle school and soon thereafter he began to teach it as well. He was also the first male cheerleader at his high school—a strict Mormon high school, no less. The girls approached him to join the squad because they knew he was a gymnast—not because he was gay. “But, it’s funny how I ended up going into cheerleading,” he laughs, “like, you know, duh?"

After high school Brandon joined UNLV’s cheer squad and a competitive non-collegiate all-star squad. The gym where his all-star team practiced had Cirque [du Soleil] rigging set up for their rehearsals. He was 18 when he bought himself his first set of silks to practice with in the gymnasium.

Chippendales had never had aerialists in the show, but through mutual friends who worked in Vegas, he met a Chippendales performer and they created an act together. That number has been a part of the Vegas Chippendales show ever since 2004. And as the first openly gay Chippendales ever, Brandon admits with a chuckle, “I guess it is monumental for this company. Chippendales guys are often pegged as being gay. And they’re not. And I think this will clear the slate.”

Brandon graced the cover of Instinct Magazine this year expanding his fan base nationwide. He recently joined the cast of Zumanity in Las Vegas and continues to amaze fans, floating above the earth on his silks in the world famous show while continuing with the Chippendales. Brandon is available for appearances and performances on select dates through the year.