“After Chicago, that’s when it all went crazy,” he said.
There, at the Warwick Allerton Hotel in downtown Chicago on Oct. 19, 2025, Bergantino hosted what would become the inaugural Tall Ball, where hundreds arrived, many of the women towering in heels for the first time. Bergantino awarded crowns to the Tall King and the Tall Queen.
Caitlin Austin, a 35-year-old customer-service worker based in Seattle, heard about the Tall Tour via Instagram. At 6-foot-4, Austin is used to being one of the tallest people in a room. “I’d never really met any other women my height,” she said. As soon as the tour announced a Seattle date, she booked a ticket for herself and a friend, who is 5-foot-11. “I’ve never seen an event like this planned before,” she added. Austin was third runner-up for Tall Queen. She had such a good time, she attended another Tall Tour event, in Phoenix.
Initially, Bergantino didn’t charge for the events, instead investing over $100,000 of his own money and collaborating with venues in return for free publicity on his growing social platforms. But as the events grew, Bergantino started charging $25 for general admission.
Awareness of the Tall Tour spread through word of mouth and social media, with videos reaching 50 million views. Bergantino and his friends, known online as the Tall Boys, who range in height from 6-foot-9 to 7-foot-4, have even been accused of exaggerating their height. “We met somebody at the mall, and he’s like, ‘I’m just going to admit to you right now — I’ve been commenting that you guys are A.I.,’” Bergantino said.
The Highs and Lows
Studies have revealed that tall people earn more money over a lifetime than their shorter counterparts. Taller women are often viewed as having greater authority in the workplace. Taller men are often seen as more sexually attractive and are perceived to be more effective leaders. On average, politicians tend to be significantly taller than the average American.
But there’s also a stigma that comes with being tall, especially for tall women and girls. Girls tend to have a growth spurt earlier than boys.
