Trans icon NikkieTutorials announced as new host of major BBC show
Trans beauty guru NikkieTutorials is set to take over hosting duties on Glow Up. (Getty)
Trans makeup artist and social media star Nikki de Jager, better known as NikkieTutorials, has been announced at the new host of hit BBC competition series Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-up Star.
The Dutch beauty guru, who shot to fame on YouTube in 2015 came out publicly as transgender in 2020, will take over the reins as host from supermodel Leomie Anderson when series 8 of Glow Up hits screens in 2027, Val Garland and Dominic Skinner set to return in their capacity as judges.
Glow Up sees budding make-up artists compete in a series of weekly challenges in the hope of being named ‘Britain’s Next Make-Up Star’.
Over seven series, the show has championed a diverse range of young make-up artists from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, and makes a point of listing all contestants’ pronouns on screen.
NikkieTutorials, who has previously appeared on Glow Up as a guest judge and hosted the Dutch edition of the show, boast more than 15 million subscribes on YouTube and has served as a goodwill ambassador to the United Nations since 2020.
In a statement, she said: “I’m so incredibly honoured to take over from Leomie, and I promise I’ll take very good care of this baby. I’ve been lucky enough to pop into the Glow Up studio as a guest judge for quite a few seasons now… but this time I’m staying!
“Make-up has been my entire world for as long as I can remember, so getting to be part of the Glow Up family in this whole new way really is a dream come true.”
British model Anderson, who took over from Maya Jama as Glow Up host in 2023, commented: “After three incredible seasons on Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-up Star, I have decided that I will be leaving, and handing the make-up brushes over to someone new.
“My Glow Up journey has been amazing, I have gotten to watch some incredibly talented MUAs express themselves, push themselves and grow from shy creatives to full on professional make-up artists.
“My Glow Up journey wouldn’t have been the same without my fave’s Val and Dom and all the amazing guest judges that have come through. And also I wanted to say a massive thank you, to you, the audience, for tuning in, joining us in the comments and tagging us in all your amazing looks.”
Carl Callam, BBC Commissioning Editor, said: “I am really excited to welcome NikkieTutorials as our new host. Nikkie is no stranger to our audience. And with her global following and influence, her passion for both make-up and the creative industry means we know she will be amazing.”
Glow Up series eight is set to begin filming this month and will air on the BBC in 2027.
