Jeffree Star

Jeffree Star was born Jeffrey Lynn Steininger Jr. in California and grew up in Orange County. He began experimenting with his mother's makeup as a child and persuaded her to let him wear makeup to school during junior high. His father died during his childhood, and he was raised by his mother, who worked as a model.

After graduating from Pacifica High School in 2002, he legally changed his name to Jeffree Star. He moved to Los Angeles and supported himself through makeup, modeling and music work. He also recalled attending Hollywood clubs with a fake ID, where celebrities hired him as a makeup artist or model.

Star used MySpace to promote his music, fashion interests and personal image. He combined blog posts about his life with commentary on self-image, confidence, fame and beauty, building a large following through photographs, music uploads and frequent interaction with fans.

By 2006, he was recognized as one of the platform's most connected personalities and one of its most popular independent artists. His MySpace presence established the flamboyant, gender-bending persona that became central to his later work in music, beauty and online video.

Star's music career developed after he befriended Samantha Maloney, the drummer for Peaches, who encouraged him to make music. He released the extended plays Plastic Surgery Slumber Party in 2007 and Cupcakes Taste Like Violence in 2008. The latter reached number six on the Billboard Top Electronic Albums chart and number eight on the Top Heatseekers chart.

His debut studio album, Beauty Killer, was released in 2009 and reached number seven on Billboard's Top Electronic Albums chart. It included "Lollipop Luxury," featuring Nicki Minaj, and he promoted the album through several tours. Star also appeared in Good Charlotte's music video for "The River," performed at Warped Tour 2009 and worked with artists including Blood on the Dance Floor, Deuce, Millionaires and Larry Tee.

In 2010, he signed with Konlive, a label founded by Akon, but the planned second album was never released. Star left the music industry in 2013, then announced a 15th-anniversary re-release of Beauty Killer in 2024 with three new songs, remastered tracks and the digital EP Lollipop Killer.

Star founded Jeffree Star Cosmetics in November 2014 after working in makeup, modeling and online media. He promoted the company through YouTube videos, using makeup tutorials, product reviews and personal commentary to connect the brand with his existing audience.

The company's first release was a collection of Velour Liquid Lipsticks. Later products included highlighter palettes, lip scrubs, eyeshadow palettes, clothing and accessories. Collections such as Blue Blood helped establish the brand's recognizable presence in the beauty market.

Star's professional relationship with Kat Von D was connected to the brand's early promotion. Their friendship later ended after Von D confronted him over payment for work by graphic designer B.J. Betts, after which both discussed the breakdown publicly.

Star has spoken publicly about experimenting with makeup from an early age and presenting an androgynous appearance. In a 2009 interview, he said that he identified as a man while choosing to look feminine. He has also discussed childhood asthma and past depression and self-harm in the docuseries The Secret World of Jeffree Star.

He was in a relationship with Nathan Schwandt from 2015 to January 2020. In 2020, Star dated professional basketball player Andre Marhold. He has resided in Casper, Wyoming.

Star's public disputes have included fellow beauty personalities and cosmetics figures. He had a highly publicized falling-out with Kat Von D, and he also clashed with Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Jerrod Blandino of Too Faced Cosmetics, Tati Westbrook and James Charles. Morphe ended its retail relationship with Jeffree Star Cosmetics after criticism surrounding Star's past racist remarks and other controversies.

Star apologized for racist comments and for imagery associated with his former website, Lipstick Nazi, after those materials resurfaced. In 2020, people accused him of sexual assault, physical assault and offering hush money. His attorney denied the allegations, and later leaked documents were presented as showing a payment by a Jeffree Star Cosmetics executive to one accuser.