Everyone’s favourite make-up reality show Glow Up is back for season seven, and episode four saw a surprise appearance from an extra-special LGBTQ+ guest judge, NikkieTutorials: real name, Nikkie de Jager-Drossaers.
With 20 million followers on Instagram, NikkieTutorials is one of the most influential make-up artists on the planet, and what’s more, she’s also transgender.
In a bid to impress her, the Glow Up make-up artists were tasked with creating gag-worthy looks for one of the world’s biggest online beauty retailers – Beauty Bay. The MUA’s served up looks that showcased Beauty Bay’s new eye shadow palette as well as Nikkie’s new highlighters from her brand, Nimya.
But what else do we know about LGBTQ+ superstar NikkieTutorials? Here are some key facts about her:
Nikkie was “blackmailed” into coming out as trans
The YouTube make-up guru, came out as trans in a video in January 2020 after she alleged that someone had threatened to out her publicly.
She said the police had found the person responsible, explaining: “With the help of police, we have found out who exactly was blackmailing me… let me tell you, when I found out exactly who was behind this all, I was shocked, because this is not a person that any of you know. It is someone that I don’t even personally know. Finding out exactly who did this was frightening but freeing at the same time.
“It’s frightening because you know someone is out there, so evil as to out someone. You are sick in your head for doing that. But it’s also freeing, because now that I know exactly who did this, I can keep an eye out. It gives me a perspective as to what people are really like.”
De Jager reflected on the experience in a fan Q&A uploaded to YouTube a year later, saying: “I came out under pressure and at the time, I’ve said this a couple times, I felt like I was going to lose it all.
“Thank god I didn’t. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this but to the one who tried to blackmail me, honey, look at me now.”
Nikkie thinks JK Rowling is a “disgrace”
In July 2020, Nikkie launched a scathing critique of JK Rowling after the author decided to describe healthcare for trans folks as a form of conversion therapy.
The controversial author courted criticism after she liked a tweet that called “hormone prescriptions” the “new antidepressants”.
Rowling continued: “Many, myself included, believe we are watching a new kind of conversion therapy for young gay people, who are being set on a lifelong path of medicalisation that may result in the loss of their fertility and/or full sexual function.”
In response, Nikkie tweeted: “And to think I was such a fan of Harry Potter,” NikkieTutorials wrote in a since-deleted tweet to her 2.1 million followers. “You’re a disgrace, JK Rowling.
“You have no idea how much hurt you’re causing. Shame on you.”
Nikkie once paid a stunning tribute to Marsha P Johnson at the Met Gala
In 2021, NikkieTutorials made a powerful LGBTQ+ statement with her Met Gala gown, using the ‘American Independence’ theme to pay tribute to trans trailblazer Marsha P Johnson.
She arrived in a stunning sea green floral dress and headdress, complete with front-facing mirrors on each side.
On the lower half of her dress was a sash bearing the words “Pay it no mind”, Marsha P Johnson‘s personal motto which the “P” in her name famously stood for.
The late trans icon often used the phrase sarcastically when questioned about her gender, and it once so amused a judge that he apparently ordered her release.
On the morning of the event, Nikkie went to the spot on the Hudson River, New York, where Marsha P Johnson’s body was found, and laid a garland of roses in tribute to her.
LGBTQ+ legend NikkieTutorials is married to fellow content creator Dylan Drossaers
NikkieTutorials and Dylan Drossaers got married in 2022 after getting engaged in 2019. The pair tied the knot with Nikkie wearing a dress adorned with crystals and Dylan wearing a suit that featured a red flower boutonniere: a tribute to Nikkie’s late brother Mikai, who passed away in 2018 after battling lymphatic cancer.
At the time, fans congratulated the newlyweds, with one writing on Instagram: “I swear I’m not crying right now. I’m so happy for you”.
Dylan’s work website describes him as “an emerging digital content creator known for his engaging videos and captivating storytelling.”
The new series of Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star airs on Wednesdays at 6am on BBC iPlayer and 8pm on BBC Three.
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