Jeffree Star Explained

Jeffree Star
Birth Name:Jeffrey Lynn Steininger Jr.
Birth Date:15 November 1985
Birth Place:Los Angeles County, California, U.S.
Founder and owner of Jeffree Star Cosmetics
Years Active:2003–present
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Channel Name:jeffreestar
Subscribers:15.8 million
Views:2.59 billion
Years Active:2006–present
Silver Button:yes
Silver Year:2011
Gold Button:yes
Gold Year:2016
Diamond Button:yes
Diamond Year:2018[1]
Stats Update:March 19th, 2024
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Years Active:2005–2014

Jeffree Star (born Jeffrey Lynn Steininger Jr., November 15, 1985) is an American internet personality, makeup artist, and former singer-songwriter. He is the founder and owner of Jeffree Star Cosmetics.

In 2009, Star released a studio album, Beauty Killer, which included songs such as "Lollipop Luxury" (which has a remix featuring Nicki Minaj). He embarked on several world tours to promote his music. In 2010, he signed to Konvict Muzik but abruptly left the music industry by 2013 citing legal issues the label’s owner faced between 2007 and 2010.[2] In November 2014, Star founded the company Jeffree Star Cosmetics. In 2018, Forbes revealed that he had earned $18 million from his YouTube endeavors alone, making him the fifth-highest-paid YouTuber that year.[3]

Early life

Jeffrey Lynn Steininger Jr.[4] was born in Los Angeles County, California, on November 15, 1985 and grew up in Orange County, California.[5] He says that he began experimenting with his mother's makeup as a child, and convinced her to let him wear it to school when he was in junior high. Star attended Pacifica High School[6] in Garden Grove, California, from which he graduated in 2002. After high school, he legally changed his name to Jeffree Star and supported himself with various makeup, modeling, and music jobs in Los Angeles.[7] [8] He recalls his early years, spending his weekends using a fake ID to attend Hollywood clubs, which is where celebrities would hire him as a personal makeup artist.[9]

Career

MySpace

Star used MySpace to further both his music and his fashion design career.[10] [11] [12] [13] Using MySpace like a blog, Star shared his personal life, while also providing social commentary on "self-image and confidence",[14] fame and beauty. Due to his use of several websites, Star already had a built-up fan base who signed up to join him on MySpace, giving his profile a large number of friends from its inception. His MySpace photoshoots would frequently gain over 50,000 comments. He also gained fame as one of the most popular independent artists, with the daily rankings placing him in the top tier on MySpace.[15]

Music career

Star's career as an electronica and pop vocalist began when he befriended Peaches' drummer Samantha Maloney, who encouraged him to make music. In 2005 he was featured on the Hollywood Undead song Turn Off The Lights. During the summer of 2007, he was advertised as a part of the True Colors Tour 2007,[16] which traveled through 15 cities in the United States and Canada.[17] The tour, sponsored by the LGBT Logo channel, began on June 8, 2007, to coincide with Pride month.

Star released his first and only studio album Beauty Killer in 2009, which peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Top Electronic Albums chart.[18] The album included songs such as "Lollipop Luxury" featuring Nicki Minaj. He embarked on several world tours to promote his music. In 2010, he signed to Konvict Muzik—whose founder Akon described Star as "the next Lady Gaga"—with plans to release a second album. However, it was never released and Star abruptly left the music industry in 2013 under unclear circumstances. He later described signing to Akon's record label as "the biggest mistake I've ever made."[19]

He appeared in the second version of Kesha's music video for her single "Take It Off" in 2010.[20] Star has worked with several other musical performers, including Blood on the Dance Floor, Deuce,[21] Millionaires,[22] and Larry Tee.[23]

Conflicts with other media personalities

Star's quarrels with other media personalities include conversations with tattoo artist Kat Von D, who accused Star of "drug use, racism, and bullying";[24] Tati Westbrook, who accused Star and Shane Dawson of forcing her to upload a video attacking fellow beauty YouTuber James Charles,[25] [26] whose brother, Ian Jeffrey, was also bullied by Star on Twitter;[27] Kylie Jenner, whose products were criticized by Star;[28] Kim Kardashian; and Jerrod Blandino, co-founder of Too Faced Cosmetics.[29] [30]

In 2010, Star called Blood on the Dance Floor member Dahvie Vanity, who was arrested in 2009 on sexual assault charges, a "child fucker", tweeting that he saw Vanity "bring underage girls to his hotel room [...] 100% ILLEGAL".[31] Star had said he had witnessed Vanity's actions in 2012.[32] Other tweets show Star telling people to "get over the negativity" against Vanity, and promoting a Blood on the Dance Floor album. He was accused of associating with Vanity despite knowing about sexual assault allegations to profit off Vanity's continued success.[33] Following a HuffPost report detailing sexual assault – before and after 2010 – against 21 individuals (many of whom were minors), Chris Hansen of To Catch a Predator started covering the story.[34] Speaking to Hansen on YouTube, Star said he had no knowledge of any inappropriate activity between Vanity and underage girls while they worked together, and that his tweets were based on hearsay.

Jeffree Star Cosmetics

See main article: Jeffree Star Cosmetics. In 2014, Star founded his e-commerce makeup brand, Jeffree Star Cosmetics.[35] In a five-part docuseries by Shane Dawson, Star stated that the end of his music career had left him essentially bankrupt, and that he had used his remaining savings to start his makeup brand. Star began promoting the brand through videos published on YouTube,[36] leading to the success of his YouTube channel, with 15.8 million subscribers and over 2.5 billion views as of December 2023.[37] Bustle magazine described Star as "a musician and onetime MySpace celeb that reinvented himself in the YouTube makeup tutorial space."[38] His first cosmetics release was a collection of velour liquid lipsticks, which were followed by highlighter palettes, lip scrubs, eyeshadow palettes, clothing, and accessories, such as mirrors and make up bags. The first East Coast location to carry the cosmetics line was a Morphe Cosmetics store at the Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey on August 11, 2018.[39] Star has since launched several successful collections, such as the "Blue Blood" eyeshadow palette.[40]

Personal life

Star was in a relationship with Nathan Schwandt from 2015 to January 2020.[41] He also says that he avoids cigarettes and hard drugs, although he does smoke cannabis.[42]

As of December 2020, Star resides in Casper, Wyoming.[43]

Controversies

Star was accused of racism due to derogatory remarks about minorities. He later apologized for the remarks.[44] [45] A satirical skit between Star and a drag queen was posted on MySpace, in which Star states he wants to throw battery acid on a black woman to lighten her skin so it will match her foundation.[46]

In June 2020, Star apologized after images and an archive of his former website Lipstick Nazi resurfaced. The website featured swastikas alongside photos of Star engaging in self-harm.[47] [48] [49]

In an October 2020 report by journalist Kat Tenbarge, Star was accused of multiple instances of sexual assault, assault, and paying $10,000 in hush money to accusers. An attorney for Star denied all the allegations.[50] Leaked documents later appeared to show one of Star's accusers being paid $45,000 by a Jeffree Star Cosmetics executive.[51]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleDirectorNotes
2007LA InkHimselfAaron Krummel2 episodes
2011Fred Villari
2015What NowVictoriaAsh AvildsenFeature film
2017Shane and FriendsHimselfShane DawsonPodcast
2018The Secret World of Jeffree StarDocu-series; 5 episodes
2019The Beautiful World of Jeffree StarDocu-series; 8 episodes
2020The Dish with TrishTrisha PaytasGuest appearance

Discography

Extended plays

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
US Elec
US Heat
Plastic Surgery Slumber Party
  • Released: March 13, 2007
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download
Cupcakes Taste Like Violence
  • Released: December 9, 2008
  • Label: Popsicle
  • Format: CD, digital download
6 8
Virginity
Mr. Diva
  • Released: October 2, 2012
  • Label: Popsicle, KonLive Distribution
  • Format: Digital download, vinyl

Singles

TitleYearAlbum
"Lollipop Luxury"[56] 2008Cupcakes Taste Like Violence
"Prisoner"[57] 2009Beauty Killer
"Prom Night"[58] 2012
"Mr. Diva"[59] Mr. Diva
"Love to My Cobain"[60] 2013

Awards and nominations

YearCeremonyCategoryResultRef.
20199th Streamy AwardsBeauty[61]
202012th Annual Shorty AwardsYouTuber of the Year[62]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: jeffreestar Monthly YouTube Statistics. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190524080116/https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/jeffreestar/monthly . May 24, 2019 . May 24, 2019 . SocialBlade.com.
  2. Becoming Jeffree Star for a Day . August 2, 2018 . Dawson . Shane . . November 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191102235127/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxtT_6d0DWQ . November 2, 2019 . YouTube . live.
  3. Robehmed . Natalie . December 3, 2018 . Highest-Paid YouTube Stars 2018: Markiplier, Jake Paul, PewDiePie And More . . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20190421133702/https://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2018/12/03/highest-paid-youtube-stars-2018-markiplier-jake-paul-pewdiepie-and-more/ . April 21, 2019 . April 12, 2019 . live.
  4. Web site: Breaking Down Jeffree Star's Social Media Empire By the Insane Numbers. Tierney . Bricker. November 15, 2019. January 13, 2020. November 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191121014209/https://www.eonline.com/news/1093911/breaking-down-jeffree-star-s-social-media-empire-by-the-insane-numbers. live.
  5. Web site: About . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141215052412/https://jeffreestarcosmetics.com/pages/about-us . December 15, 2014 . May 6, 2018 . Jeffree Star Cosmetics.
  6. https://www.ocregister.com/2008/11/20/orange-pop-the-unstoppable-jeffree-star/ Orange Pop: The unstoppable Jeffree Star - Orange County Register
  7. Web site: March 10, 2008 . LAist Interview: Jeffree Star . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080314011437/http://laist.com/2008/03/10/jeffree_star_interview.php . March 14, 2008 . November 12, 2010 . laist.
  8. Web site: Some Truth for You... . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100517051546/http://jeffreestar.buzznet.com/user/journal/3507581/some-truth/#comments . May 17, 2010 . Buzznet . Jeffree Star's Official Website.
  9. Web site: Star . Jeffree . July 20, 2007 . Jeffree Star's MySpace profile . https://web.archive.org/web/20070911053203/https://www.myspace.com/jeffreestar . September 11, 2007 . May 28, 2010 . MySpace. (Interview transcript; original source uncredited)
  10. News: Immediato . Linda . May 9, 2007 . Jeffree Star – The fairest one of all . . https://archive.today/20130411061241/http://www.laweekly.com/2007-05-10/la-life/jeffree-star/full/ . dead . April 11, 2013 . February 28, 2013 .
  11. Web site: Jeffree Star – tickets, tour dates, news . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120217200943/http://www.allgigs.co.uk/view/artist/52209/Jeffree_Star.html . February 17, 2012 . May 23, 2012 . Allgigs.co.uk.
  12. News: Bolter . Helen . November 29, 2007 . Let's Talk About C*NT! - Jeffree Star . . dead . February 28, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081219054814/http://www.gigwise.com/article.php?contentid=39052 . December 19, 2008.
  13. Web site: Haglund . David . Tila Tequila, the first star of MySpace. - Slate Magazine . April 11, 2006 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120607095453/http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/music_box/2006/04/tila_tequila_for_president.html . June 7, 2012 . May 23, 2012 . Slate.com.
  14. Web site: How Jeffree Star Has Remained A Major Influencer . September 25, 2019 . Promolta . May 1, 2021.
  15. Weiner . Jonah . April 11, 2006 . Tila Tequila for President . . https://web.archive.org/web/20060704210702/http://www.slate.com/id/2139691/ . July 4, 2006 . July 29, 2006 . live.
  16. Naff . Lycia . June 23, 2007 . Britney to Join Cyndi Lauper's Tour for Surprise Show – Britney Spears . . https://web.archive.org/web/20120602191454/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20043603,00.html . June 2, 2012 . May 23, 2012 . live.
  17. Web site: The True Colors Tour - Cyndi Lauper, The Gossip, Erasure... . March 13, 2007 . Brooklyn Vegan . May 1, 2021.
  18. Jeffree Star Chart History . . https://web.archive.org/web/20190427132048/https://www.billboard.com/music/jeffree-star . April 27, 2019 . May 6, 2019 . live.
  19. Web site: Jeffree Star - Shane And Friends . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170910052338/https://soundcloud.com/shaneandfriends/episode-117-jeffree-star . September 10, 2017 . August 2, 2018.
  20. Web site: Lecaro . Lina . Which Flamboyant LA Underground Characters Are Infiltrating the Mainstream? And Which One is the Next Cross(dressing)over Star? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305042815/http://www.laweekly.com/music/which-flamboyant-la-underground-characters-are-infiltrating-the-mainstream-and-which-one-is-the-next-cross-dressing-over-star-2404493 . March 5, 2016 . February 20, 2016 . laweekly.com . LA Weekly.
  21. Web site: Deuce Nine Lives . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130302215007/http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/49289/Deuce-Nine-Lives/ . March 2, 2013 . March 4, 2013 . sputnikmusic.com.
  22. Web site: Millionaires ft. Jeffree Star-Catch me if you can . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/lPttiQwUtp4. 2021-11-17 . live. April 11, 2011 . YouTube . May 1, 2021.
  23. Web site: Larry Tee Club Badd review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160120235936/http://www.allmusic.com/album/club-badd-mw0000815463 . January 20, 2016 . March 4, 2013 . allmusic.com.
  24. Willingham . Jessica . Kat Von D Opens Up About Jeffree Star . . https://web.archive.org/web/20160928040344/http://www.bustle.com/articles/173607-watch-kat-von-ds-message-about-jeffree-star-to-hear-her-side-of-the-story . September 28, 2016 . April 9, 2019 . live.
  25. News: Tenbarge . Kat . June 30, 2020 . Tati Westbrook releases new video claiming that Shane Dawson and Jeffree Star 'manipulated' her into starting the 2019 beauty-guru war . Insider . July 26, 2020.
  26. News: Curto . Justin . July 10, 2020 . Jeffree Star's Days Are Numbered . Vulture . New York (magazine) . July 26, 2020.
  27. Web site: Shilliday. Beth. 2019-05-13. James Charles Younger Brother Defends Him Against Jeffree Star In Scathing Clapback: See Message. 2020-11-18. Hollywood Life. en-US.
  28. Hanson . Louis . July 7, 2019 . The Most Iconic Celebrity Feuds With Jeffree Star, Ever . . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20190325082924/https://www.elle.com.au/beauty/jeffree-star-celebrity-feud-history-18405 . March 25, 2019 . April 9, 2019 . live.
  29. Web site: Dall'Asen . Nicola . April 24, 2017 . Jeffree Star dragged the founder of Too Faced for being 'petty and gross' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200218084701/http://www.revelist.com/beauty-news-/jeffree-star-nikkie-too-faced/7593 . February 18, 2020 . February 18, 2020 . en.
  30. Capon . Laura . April 23, 2017 . Jeffree Star and Too Faced are in a bitter feud over unicorn makeup . . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20200218084651/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/a9546203/jeffree-star-jerrod-blandino-too-faced-tarte-unicorn-makeup/ . February 18, 2020 . February 18, 2020 . live.
  31. Web site: August 1, 2018 . Blood on the Dance Floor's Dahvie Vanity Accused of Sexually Assaulting Multiple Women, Many While They Were Underage . July 26, 2020 . MetalSucks.
  32. Rachel. Campbell. August 1, 2018. Blood on the Dance Floor's Dahvie Vanity Accused of Sexual Assault. Alternative Press. March 18, 2020 . Jeffree Star and New Years Day frontwoman Ash Costello both revealed on social media in 2012 that they had witnessed [Dahvie Vanity a.k.a. Jesus David] Torres' questionable actions....
  33. News: April 27, 2020 . Jeffree Star gets called out for 'lying' about Dahvie Vanity's sexual assault allegations . The Daily Dot . live . July 26, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200726190227/https://www.dailydot.com/irl/jeffree-star-dahvie-vanity-sexual-assault-rape-allegations/ . July 26, 2020.
  34. News: Tenbarge . Kat . July 2, 2020 . Myspace-famous musician Dahvie Vanity was accused of child sex abuse for years. Now the FBI is involved. . Insider . July 22, 2020.
  35. Web site: Meet the Real Jeffree Star: "I'm in a Different Place. I'm Growing Up." . September 7, 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180802101719/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/a10159975/jeffree-star-beauty/ . August 2, 2018 . August 2, 2018 . Cosmopolitan.
  36. Web site: jeffreestar . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170502132057/https://www.youtube.com/user/jeffreestar/about . May 2, 2017 . April 16, 2019 . Jeffree Star . YouTube.
  37. Web site: jeffreestar - YouTube . 2023-12-08 . www.youtube.com.
  38. When Is Jeffree Star's Beauty Killer Eyeshadow Palette Coming Out? You Can Buy It On This Date . Bustle . https://web.archive.org/web/20180802041013/https://www.bustle.com/articles/152502-when-is-jeffree-stars-beauty-killer-eyeshadow-palette-coming-out-you-can-buy-it-on-this . August 2, 2018 . August 1, 2018 . live.
  39. Web site: Jeffree Star draws thousands to Garden State Plaza for Morphe store opening . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190502060057/https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/2018/08/11/jeffree-star-draws-thousands-garden-state-plaza-morphe-opening/923391002/ . May 2, 2019 . April 8, 2019 . North Jersey . en.
  40. Web site: Dyer . Gabrielle . March 15, 2019 . PSA: Jeffree Star's new Blue Blood Palette is en route . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190321021709/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/a26833405/jeffree-star-blue-blood-palette-collection/ . March 21, 2019 . April 8, 2019 . Cosmopolitan.
  41. Web site: Jeffree Star Just Confirmed That He and Boyfriend Nathan Schandt Have Split Up . Alanna Lauren Greco . January 11, 2020 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200708013133/https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/a30482049/jeffree-star-confirms-split-boyfriend-nathan-schwandt/ . July 8, 2020 . July 7, 2020.
  42. News: Capon . Laura . August 2, 2018 . 27 of the most shocking things we learnt about Jeffree Star from Shane Dawson's YouTube documentary . Cosmopolitan . live . August 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180816125900/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/celebrity-hair-makeup/a22621818/jeffree-star-shane-dawson-you-tube-documentary/ . August 16, 2018.
  43. Web site: Tenbarge . Kat . Jeffree Star move to Wyoming: Timeline from LA mansion to yak ranch . Insider . 2021-08-31 . 2022-08-08.
  44. Mackenzie . Macaela . June 20, 2017 . Jeffree Star Finally Apologizes for His Racist Comments . . https://web.archive.org/web/20190218141756/https://www.allure.com/story/jeffree-star-apologizes-for-racist-comments . February 18, 2019 . February 18, 2019 . live.
  45. Juzwiak . Rich . A Guide to the 24-Hour Kim Kardashian Kerfuffle Over Makeup Swatching and Also Racism . . https://web.archive.org/web/20190824121043/https://jezebel.com/a-guide-to-the-24-hour-kim-kardashian-kerfuffle-over-ma-1797865476 . August 24, 2019 . February 18, 2019 . live.
  46. News: Ohlheiser . Abby . August 23, 2018 . A guide to the racism scandal that's tearing Beauty YouTube apart . The Washington Post .
  47. Web site: Nesvig . Kara . Jeffree Star Apologized for "Lipstick Nazi" Picture . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200627092223/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/jeffree-star-lipstick-nazi-picture-apology . June 27, 2020 . June 27, 2020 . Teen Vogue . June 24, 2020 . en-us.
  48. Web site: Jeffree Star apologises for "offensive" Lipstick Nazi website . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200629174017/https://www.popbuzz.com/internet/youtubers/jeffree-star-self-harm-lipstick-nazi-photo/ . June 29, 2020 . June 27, 2020 . PopBuzz . June 8, 2020 . en.
  49. Web site: Apology tweet by @jeffreestar . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200618182353/https://twitter.com/JeffreeStar/status/1273681744776978432 . June 18, 2020 . June 27, 2020 . Twitter . en.
  50. Web site: Tenbarge . Kat . Jeffree Star accusers say the makeup mogul has a history of sexual assault, physical violence, and hush-money offers . October 1, 2020 . Insider.
  51. Web site: Tenbarge. Kat. Jeffree Star's sexual-assault accuser was paid $45,000 by a Jeffree Star Cosmetics executive, leaked documents say. 2021-01-16. Insider.
  52. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Jeffree Star|chart=Billboard 200}} Jeffree Star Chart History: Billboard 200 ]. April 4, 2013 . Billboard.
  53. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Jeffree Star|chart=Dance/Electronic Albums C}} Jeffree Star Chart History: Dance/Electronic Albums ]. April 4, 2013 . Billboard.
  54. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Jeffree Star|chart=Heatseekers Albums}} Jeffree Star Chart History: Heatseekers Albums ]. April 4, 2013 . Billboard.
  55. [{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Jeffree Star|chart=Independent Albums}} Jeffree Star Chart History: Independent Albums ]. April 4, 2013 . Billboard.
  56. Web site: Lollipop Luxury [Explicit] ]. Amazon . https://web.archive.org/web/20100713230539/http://www.amazon.com/Lollipop-Luxury-Explicit/dp/B001KWAZ1G . July 13, 2010 . June 26, 2013.
  57. Web site: Prisoner . Amazon . https://web.archive.org/web/20100713081318/http://www.amazon.com/Prisoner/dp/B0029CKYWQ . July 13, 2010 . June 26, 2013.
  58. Web site: Prom Night - Single . March 3, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130809203340/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/prom-night-single/id508125773 . August 9, 2013 . June 26, 2013 . Apple Inc..
  59. Web site: Mr. Diva - EP . October 2, 2012 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130809203337/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mr.-diva-ep/id563840569 . August 9, 2013 . June 26, 2013 . Apple Inc..
  60. Web site: Love to My Cobain – Single . June 25, 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20131012143416/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-to-my-cobain-single/id659849036 . October 12, 2013 . June 25, 2013 . Apple Inc..
  61. Web site: 9TH ANNUAL WINNERS . Streamys.
  62. Web site: Perelli . Amanda . January 22, 2020 . Exclusive: The full list of nominees for the Shorty Awards, including Jeffree Star, Sophie Turner, and Baby Yoda Sipping Tea . Insider.