Emma Dumont is known for their role as Jackie Oppenheimer in the critically acclaimed Christopher Nolan film Oppenheimer. They have publicly accepted their gender identity and have come out as transmasculine and non-binary.
In personal life, they prefer to be referred to by they/them pronouns and go by the name Nick but retain the name Emma Dumont for professional purposes.
This is a significant moment for the actor, having appeared in popular films and shows such as The Gifted and Licorice Pizza. The information first came out on TMZ on December 6, 2024, and it was later confirmed by Dumont's representative.
So far, however, Dumont hasn't made any direct posts on their social media about this social transition.
Their representative mentioned,
“They identify as a transmasculine nonbinary person. Their work name is still going to be Emma Dumont, but they will go by Nick with friends and family.”
Dumont's identity is represented through a lesbian and nonbinary flag, plus fun mentions of queer pop culture, in their Instagram bio.
Understanding transmasculine and non-binary identities
This declaration has also brought forward transmasculine and non-binary identities. According to PFLAG National, transmasculine people are those whose gender identity is much like masculinity but fails to fit in with the idea of being a binary man.
Non-binary people do not subscribe to the traditional notion of only two genders. They tend to be genderqueer, genderfluid, or gender expansive. Dumont's journey is part of a growing trend where more celebrities are publicly exhibiting other gender identities.
According to a UCLA Williams Institute study in 2021, non-binary people comprise about 11% of the adult LGBTQ community population in the U.S. Also, although 43% of the non-binary people considered themselves to be transgender, for others, preferred identities were gender non-conforming and gender diverse.
Dumont's visibility allows for the discussion on how gender can change in popular media, and how it is expressed.
Oppenheimer star Dumont’s journey so far
Emma Dumont, now Nick in private life, is an actor with many different roles. Besides their role in Oppenheimer, Dumont played Polaris in the Marvel-inspired show The Gifted. They also acted in Paul Thomas Anderson's Licorice Pizza and Inherent Vice.
Their Instagram is full of pieces of their transition, including posts about their short hair and gender-neutral fashion. Their upcoming project New Me is a horror thriller that is now in post-production. It may not have a release date yet, but its title mirrors the change the actor has been going through.
Dumont's Instagram bio jokingly says they are "Carmy coded," a nod to a favorite character from The Bear, and a "McCutcheon apologist," referring to a character from The L Word. These small hints show their interest in queer culture and their special way of expressing themselves.
Community reactions and broader impact
The LGBTQ community and fans generally welcomed the statement from Dumont, who started to discuss and question how identities are to be approached while performing in the public and private realms.
By coming out, Dumont would be part of the bigger group of famous people, who support increased understanding and acceptance of being non-binary and transmasculine. The entertainment industry turned more into a place to represent.
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Catch Emma Dumont's Oscar-worthy performance as Jackie Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer, streaming on Peacock and available to buy on major platforms, such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
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