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'Peacemaker’s' Nhut Le Celebrates Judomaster’s “Demon Twink” Coming-Out Moment
READ TIME: 21 MIN.
In a television landscape increasingly punctuated by moments of authenticity and inclusivity, one recent plot twist has generated particular excitement. Season 2 of Peacemaker, the critically acclaimed DC superhero series on Max, delivered a watershed moment for LGBTQ+ fans when Judomaster—portrayed with kinetic energy and vulnerability by Vietnamese American actor Nhut Le—came out in a scene that quickly went viral among queer audiences and beyond .
Referred to by fans as the “demon twink” due to his compact stature and formidable martial arts prowess, Judomaster’s reveal was more than just a narrative beat—it was a celebration of queer joy and an invitation for viewers to see themselves reflected in the superhero genre.
Speaking exclusively with Queerty, Le opened up about the process behind the coming-out scene and the weight of responsibility he felt portraying such a moment. Le highlighted how Judomaster’s character arc had always hinted at queerness through subtext and that the decision to bring it into the open was a creative collaboration with the show’s writers and producers .
“It was a joyful, liberating moment—not just for Judomaster, but for everyone who’s ever wanted to see a queer superhero that wasn’t just comic relief or a sidekick,” Le told Queerty . The actor emphasized the importance of representation, especially for queer and Asian American communities, describing the outpouring of support from fans as “overwhelming and beautiful.”
Le’s performance has been lauded for its authenticity and nuance, avoiding stereotypes and instead giving Judomaster a fully realized emotional life. In interviews with other outlets, Le has spoken about the preparation that went into the role, including drawing on his martial arts background and working closely with the show’s creative team to ensure the character’s journey resonated as both entertaining and meaningful .
Judomaster’s coming-out was met with immediate celebration across social media. Memes, fan art, and detailed analyses of the character’s journey proliferated on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, with the “demon twink” moniker becoming a badge of honor for queer fans .
The embrace of Judomaster by LGBTQ+ audiences reflects a broader desire for multi-dimensional, unapologetically queer characters in genre media. “There’s something powerful about seeing yourself in a superhero who is both fierce and funny, who gets to be vulnerable but also saves the day,” one fan wrote in a viral thread .
Le’s portrayal has also inspired dialogue about the intersection of identity and power. In a recent interview, he discussed the importance of being a Vietnamese American actor representing both his heritage and his queerness on screen. “I hope I can make the community proud and be a good representation of what a Vietnamese actor can do in this industry,” Le said, underscoring the significance of intersectional visibility .
The success of Judomaster’s coming-out moment is part of a larger trend in superhero media toward authentic queer storytelling. While progress has been uneven across the industry, Peacemaker’s creative team made a conscious decision to center Judomaster’s sexuality as part of his strength rather than a source of trauma or conflict. Showrunner James Gunn, known for his inclusive storytelling, supported the decision, stating in a press release that “every hero deserves to live their truth, and every fan deserves to see themselves as the hero”
Industry commentators have noted that Peacemaker’s approach stands in contrast to previous attempts at LGBTQ+ representation in superhero media, which have often been limited to minor characters or ambiguous hints. By giving Judomaster a prominent, celebratory coming-out, the show has set a new standard for what is possible in mainstream entertainment .
For Le, the journey is just beginning. In addition to his work on Peacemaker, he has hinted at future projects that will continue to explore themes of identity and representation, though details remain under wraps .
Fans, meanwhile, are eager to see what’s next for Judomaster and for the broader landscape of queer superheroes. As conversations around diversity and inclusion grow louder, industry insiders expect more shows to follow Peacemaker’s lead in making space for authentic LGBTQ+ storytelling.
In the words of Nhut Le, “There’s no one way to be a hero, and there’s no one way to be queer. What matters is that we get to see those stories told, in all their weird, wild, and wonderful glory” .
