Downtown Chicago hosted the second annual Tall Ball on Saturday, bringing together hundreds of men and women who stand well above average height. The event took place on the 23rd floor of the Warwick Allerton Hotel, a venue chosen for its spacious views and ability to accommodate the community’s unique needs.
Personal stories of confidence
Six‑foot‑3″ Delaney Finn, 24, said the night was the first time she felt she didn’t have to be the tallest person in the room. “As women we try to make ourselves smaller, and when you’re taller it’s easy to feel small,” she explained. Finn, who has spent her life navigating a world built for shorter people, praised the event for allowing her to “live your full height” alongside others who understand the challenges.
Her boyfriend, who stands 6‑foot‑1″, encouraged her to attend after sharing the party’s Instagram promotion. “He’s been nothing but encouraging, ‘Live your full height. Be yourself,’” Finn said.
Community and camaraderie
Created by Tyler Bergantino in 2025, the Tall Tour is a nationwide network that meets in major cities each summer. Chicago’s gathering featured a lineup of tall locals, including DJ B Real, who stands 6‑foot‑9″ and kept the dance floor lively.
Nancy Mulkey, 28, the reigning Tall Queen from the Dallas stop, arrived with her friend Eve Magill, 24, who is 6‑foot‑7″. Both described feeling like outliers until they met each other. Mulkey, a former cast member of TLC’s “My Giant Life,” recalled that early exposure to a supportive community helped shape her confidence.
Jaylen Johnson, 28, 6‑foot‑8″, attended alone and said the night gave him a rare sense of normalcy. “No one feels intimidated or belittled by my presence,” he noted, adding that he enjoys showing that a power‑forward size can also excel at point‑guard skills.
Christine Alexis, 33, 6‑foot‑3″, arrived solo and was quickly welcomed by a group of women who made her feel “love automatically.” She summed up the atmosphere: “The vibe is good, the people are nice, and it’s just nice to see people eye‑to‑eye for once.”
Looking ahead
The Tall Tour will continue its summer circuit with the next stop scheduled for New York City on September 12. Organizers hope the series will keep expanding, offering tall individuals across the country a chance to connect, celebrate their stature, and build lasting friendships.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
