YouTuber NikkieTutorials comes out as trans to her 12 million followers: ‘It’s time to let go and be truly free’
NikkieTutorials has come out as trans in a tear-jerking video. (Getty Images)
YouTuber NikkieTutorials had one message to her 12 million subscribers: “I am transgender.”
The makeup guru, known off-screen as Nikkie de Jager, shared the touching note to her fans on Monday.
In an emotional 13 minute clip, the 25-year-old beauty blogger explained how she transitioned in her teens and decided to share her story after she was allegedly blackmailed.
‘I am NikkieTutorials, and I am Nikkie. I am me.’
“Today I am here to share something with you that I’ve always wanted to share with you one day, but under my own circumstances, and it looks like that chance has been taken away from me,” she said in the video.
“So today, I am taking back my own power and I have to tell you something.”
Jager explained that she has always strived to be her own person on her own terms. “It’s time to let go and be truly free,” she said.
“When I was younger I was born in the wrong body, which means that I am transgender.”
“I am NikkieTutorials, and I am Nikkie. I am me.
“We don’t need labels. But if we are going to put a label on it, yes, I am transgender.
“But at the end of the day, I am me,” she said.
In 13 minutes, Jager, who has given makeovers to a star-studded selection of celebrities including Lady Gaga, inspired countless fans with her journey.
She was inspired by an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race to show the world “the power of makeup”, but now it seems she’s showing the world what being herself can do.
But she said in the video that her decision to come out was not entirely her own.
“I have been blackmailed by people that wanted to leak my story to the press,” noting that as much as she always wanted to come out, she wanted her channel to be about her craft.
“The last thing I want in my life is for you to not trust me any more or to look at me with different eyes.” she said.
“At the end of the day I am still Nikkie.”
From RuPaul queens to Kim Petras, countless fans congratulate NikkieTutorials.
Tallying 13.5 million views in less than a day, Jager’s video drew countless applause from fans, praising her for owning her narrative amid the alleged blackmail:
While trans singer Kim Petras explained how Jager is now “free” and it’s “beautiful”:
RuPaul queen Jinkx Monsoon congratulated Jager for “reclaiming” her story and denounced whomever attempted to blackmail her:
Moreover, the Human Rights Campaign commented on how much the YouTube star’s “visibility” will no doubt inspire trans youth:
Trans singer and makeup artist Nikita Dragun said “to see [you] out and living [you] truth has brought me to tears”:
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