A baby born two months prematurely has been described as “Leslie Jordan reincarnated” for his uncanny resemblance to the late comedian.
Ethan Hendricks was born at only 30 weeks and he has lived his entire life in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach, Florida. He was “the smallest baby they had ever had,” his mom, Fawn Hendricks told Newsweek.
She began posting videos of her premature baby to TikTok and one went viral after a person pointed out how much the baby looked like Jordan, who passed away in October. In the video, Ethan is resting his head on his arm and moving his eyes around, much like Jordan’s trademark pose.
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“leslie jordan reincarnated [sic],” commented the TikTok user.
That video quickly went viral and Hendricks shared it a couple of times, adding a voice track of Jordan speaking.
In another share, Hendricks added the viral “Is it me? Am I the drama?” soundbite over the top of the video.
“He is definitely Leslie Jordan reincarnated,” commented one fan on the video.
Another added: “He’s not the drama he’s a star already.”
And a third wrote: “Totally Leslie. He is that good he came back.”
Hendricks told Newsweek it made her “ecstatic” that her newborn baby could “make so many people around the world happy.”
“This is just so crazy, I didn’t expect to go viral. I was just sharing a picture, or a video of my son just because I thought he was cute. And now he’s blown up,” she said.
“Everybody was so devastated, like myself included, when we found out that Leslie had passed. And then [it was hilarious] to see him on TikTok in baby form. I keep watching the duets everybody is doing with it and it’s just so nice to see how happy my son makes everybody.”
Two months before his due date, Ethan arrived weighing only 3 pounds and 5 ounces, and has needed ongoing medical care to stay alive.
“He’s needed oxygen, CPAP [Continuous positive airway pressure], NG [nasogastric] tube feedings, light therapy, and even a blood transfusion. Hearing your baby needs blood from another person and you live that far away [is scary],” Hendricks admitted.
Despite his very tough start in life, Ethan is on track to be home in time for Christmas. He has been gaining weight and was set to head home on Monday morning, but he stopped breathing in his sleep overnight.
“My heart just dropped. We’re so excited to finally bring him home after five weeks of being there,” Hendricks said. She is hopeful her son will be able to go home on Wednesday.
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Prior to their son’s birth, the couple had an uphill battle falling pregnant with Ethan after trying for five years.
“After five long years of infertility, we finally got our rainbow baby, although not without many hardships during and after,” Hendricks wrote on a GoFundMe page to help them cover costs while they Ethan was in hospital.
“From the start of our pregnancy, Ethan has been one determined baby!”
But then at only eight weeks pregnant Hendricks developed a subchorionic hemorrhage and was bleeding.
“However, Ethan was determined to come here, and his heart was beating stronger than ever!! A fighter from the start,” she wrote on the fundraising page.
“Ethan proved us all wrong yet again and continues to press forward, getting bigger and stronger each day! We have been in the NICU for over a month now, seeming to take 1 step forward and 12 steps back. He is a strong little boy who has overcome so many obstacles in his short life,” Hendricks wrote.
They setup the fundraiser to help cover expenses because both parents had to stop working and they also live more than an hour away from the hospital, “so the travel has been difficult, especially with only one vehicle currently.”
The couple managed to raise a little more than their $2,000 goal ahead of bringing Ethan home.
Jordan died while driving in Hollywood, California, on October 24, 2022, when he crashed into the side of a building. It is suspected that he suffered a medical emergency behind the wheel.
He was best known for his roles in Will & Grace, American Horror Story and Hearts Afire.
The actor was also an LGBTQ icon, clocking up appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race as a guest judge and director.
Jordan co-starred in the Fox sitcom Call Me Kat, which is currently airing its third season.
He also became famous and beloved on Instagram and TikTok for his hilarious videos during the COVID pandemic.
Update 12/20/2022, 11:53 a.m. ET: This article was updated to add Fawn Hendricks’ comments.
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