Jeffree Star is an American makeup artist, singer, and online personality famous for his YouTube channel and beauty line, Jeffree Star Cosmetics. The beauty mogul was born on November 15, 1985, in Orange County, California, as Jeffrey Lynn Steininger Jr. Star began wearing makeup in junior high and after graduating high school, he legally changed his name to “Jeffree Star.” After moving to Los Angeles, Star supported himself through various makeup, music, and fashion gigs.
View this post on Instagram
Before his YouTube fame, Star was already an established fashion figure on MySpace. He used the platform as a blog where he provided commentary on style and beauty. After building his fanbase, Star ventured into music and released his first and last studio album, “Beauty Killer,” in 2009. Surprisingly, he left the music industry in 2013 and described his record label as “the biggest mistake” of his life.
Nevertheless, this didn’t stop Star from pursuing his other passions. In 2014, he founded his makeup brand, Jeffree Star Cosmetics, and promoted his products through YouTube. His efforts quickly gained him a supportive and loyal following, amassing over a billion views by 2020. The beauty mogul currently has more than 15 million subscribers on the social media platform.
Unlike other YouTubers, fans love Star for his no-nonsense reviews and blunt commentary. His outgoing personality also extends to his love life. From rumored affairs to dramatic breakups, there are plenty of juicy bits for fans to pick on. Star is also a controversial figure in the LGBTQ space. With his visual appearance and public persona, many have wondered: is Jeffree Star gay? Let’s find out the truth below.
VOTE: What is Jeffree Star’s Sexuality?
Jeffree Star’s Sexuality and Relationships
Jeffree Star isn’t one to shy away from discussing his sexuality. For the longest time, the beauty mogul admitted that he was confused about his sense of self. In a podcast with fellow YouTuber, Trisha Paytas, Star mentioned that he was conflicted about his gender identity.
I had so many thoughts in my head because I’ve always been really feminine, and I didn’t understand that I could be a male and wear makeup and feminine clothes and not be a woman. I was confused.”
Jeffree Star in The Dish With Trish, 2019
Fortunately, Star has become more comfortable in his own skin. Although he considers himself biologically male, the beauty mogul identifies as gay and loves dressing up in feminine style or clothing. He still uses the “he or him” pronouns but prefers to be fluid in terms of his physical appearance.
Jeffree Star and Chris Crocker (2005-2009)
Star was first linked to Chris Crocker in early 2005. At the time, the duo were two of the most famous figures online. The latter was known for creating the now-iconic “Leave Britney Alone” video, while Star was blowing up on MySpace. Although reports stated that the couple dated for five years, neither has ever confirmed the relationship. Crocker has since transitioned and changed his name to Cara Cunningham.
View this post on Instagram
Jeffree Star and Nathan Schwandt (2015-2020)
In 2015, Jeffree Star started dating Nathan Schwandt, also known as Nate to YouTube viewers. The relationship was the beauty mogul’s most public, even featuring Schwandt multiple times in his vlogs and makeup videos. Not much is known about Star’s boyfriend despite being in the public eye, except that he’s from Wyoming and adores Pomeranians.
Most fans thought that the couple would make it, but after five years of dating, Star and Schwandt decided to call it quits. In January 2020, Star uploaded a video on his channel titled “We Broke Up,” announcing to his followers the end of their relationship.
There’s no easy way to say this but we did break up. I’ve used a lot of this time of silence to just try to heal. We’re both in a state of shock. I’m devastated, I’m so sad. And the love of my life is no longer – I don’t wake up to him anymore.”
Jeffree Star via Instagram, 2020
Although there were third-party rumors, Star denied their validity. After going their separate ways, Schwandt created a Twitch channel and is currently streaming semi-regularly.
Andre Marhold (2020)
Not long after the breakup, Star almost broke the internet after posting a photo of himself sitting on somebody else’s lap. The other person was immediately identified by internet sleuths as professional athlete Andre Marhold. They dated from August to October 2020 before the fling eventually fizzled out. But contrary to Star’s previous relationships, this split was anything but amicable.
Star accused Marhold of stealing several of his luxury items, including Louis Vuitton luggage. However, the athlete strongly denied the allegations and retorted that the beauty mogul had racial biases that led him to accuse Marhold of robbery. No official charges were made but the drama fed the internet for days.
Mystery Man (2023)
In January 2023, Star posted another controversial selfie where he was spotted holding hands with a tall and well-built mystery man. The post was captioned: “His team didn’t make it to the Super Bowl but he’s 6’6 and plays perfect in the bedroom.” Fans were quick to speculate that his secret boyfriend must be an NFL player. However, Star hasn’t revealed his beau’s identity just yet.
View this post on Instagram
Is Jeffree Star Gay?
Yes, Jeffree Star is gay. Contrary to popular belief, the beauty mogul is not transgender. He loves portraying androgynous looks and sporting feminine styles but still identifies as a homosexual. Based on his dating history, Star has exclusively dated gay men.