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02.01.06
Have you heard of Jeffree Star? If you’re on Myspace, chances are you have. Like him or love him, you can’t ignore him, and that’s just the way he likes it. Pink hair, outlandish clothes and makeup, absolute diva attitude… He calls himself, variously, Queen of the Internet, Jesus Christ, and Cunt. Underneath the makeup, though, he’s remarkably astute and shrewd when it comes to marketing himself. He’s also a lot nicer and more approachable than you’d think. As long as you approach worshipfully, of course…
He’s a makeup artist, rapper, writer and internet celebrity. He travels with an entourage of beautifully made-up girls and boys (not quite as beautiful as himself, though) and he floats through the crowds as if unconnected to the rest of us. But he very graciously agreed to my interview, and he’s much more than he seems.
You're a makeup artist. When you make up someone else, like a celebrity, do you use the products you choose or theirs?
Well I have a huge makeup kit with EVERYTHING anyone could ever need but it always depends on the person. People like Kelly Osborne/Nicole Richie obviously have a lot of makeup themselves, so they tell me their favorite products (and l use thier stuff too) so I incorporate what they love into the look that I create.
Do you do what *they* want, or do you generally get some creative control?
Depending on what the pictures are for, creative control is always different. Magazine shoots want a certain style and image so I do what they want but when its for award shows and parties, that's when I can really have fun and give someone what I call a "Jeffree Star face original" .. I've been creating my own looks for the past 4 years now, things that no one’s done before so I like to keep it that way.
How did you get into the business?
I started playing with makeup at a really early age. I'd see beautiful pictures in books and magazines and try to replicate those images onto my own face.. I knew I wanted to be a makeup artist at age 11 so as the years went by, my talent dramatically improved. I started going out to clubs when I was 16, with a fake ID and I began to meet all these famous people who would see me and fall in love with my own makeup.. They'd whisper in my ear "Make me look like that." So I would have friends drive me to these people's house with all my makeup and brushes, lying about my age.. I got the opportunity to network and make great connections at a young age.. it took off from there and now I see it only getting bigger.
What's your favorite thing about your job?
I love the fact that I can create something new each time I do makeup on someone. Everyone has a different face so it's really fun to see what colors fit best on someone, what shape their eye is, what flatters them the most.. makeup has almost become a science to me. I've been told that makeup artistry isn't that important but in reality the beauty industry is the highest selling market on the planet. There's always something that someone wants to add to their appearance, vanity won't ever go away.
How many pairs of colored contacts do you own, and which are your favorites?
Currently I own 13 pairs, but I just ordered more this morning. I found this guy who makes special effects contacts for movies and I only buy from him. My favorite signature ones is the black with the white spiral, it reminds me of a doll and it gives my makeup a finishing touch.
Any new tattoos/piercings planned?
I've never been interested in piercings, I don't feel like taking away from my own personal glamour by putting a piece of metal on my face or body. But tattoos are something I'm in love with. Art in general has always interested me so the idea of covering my skin with images was always appealing to me as a child. Currently I'm planning on finishing my right sleeve and starting my left arm of portraits, which already looks amazing.
Have you ever gone to a high school reunion?
I've only been out of high school for a few years so that chance hasn't come up yet.. I've gotten emails on Myspace from people who went to school with me and its always weird to look at their pictures and see they have two little babies in there arms and work at Walmart still. All the kids who used to talk shit about me are still living at home, getting married before they're even 21.. So if I do decide to go to my high school reunion, I'm sure it will be a disappointment.
Are you planning on doing more music?
Yes, right now I only have demons on my Myspace page.. Those songs are not mastered nor finished completely. The people who I make music with are in huge bands and are on tour right now so very soon they'll be back and I'll start seriously working on an album which will hopefully be out this year.
What kind of music are you into right now?
In my CD player right now is the new Bleeding Through CD, Scarling's new album and Peaches.
What was the first concert/show you ever went to? The last one?
My mother went to a Bruce Springsteen when she was 8 months pregnant with me, so that was my first concert. I go to shows every week, last night I saw Bleeding Through for their record release show in Orange County.
You mentioned you're a writer... are you working on anything right now? Have you been published, or have any hopes of being published?
I secretly write on an online journal where no one knows it’s me. I've been writing stories on the internet for years now and in the future I'm sure I'll get around to writing a book or several.. Nothing published yet though.
Do you watch TV? If so, what in particular?
I prefer to read books when I have free time, but sometimes I'll sit around the house and watch TV. I'm drawn to Nip/Tuck at the moment.. the fascination of plastic surgery has always been one of my obsessions.. and on occasion I'll sit through a marathon of horrible [fake]reality MTV dating shows where kids between the ages of 18-24 embarrass themselves in front of the entire world.
Favorite dance club?
Honestly, Hollywood is so boring when it comes to going to clubs.. it's the same horrible 80's music with the same asshole guys with 7 jeans on and the same girls who get drunk and make out with everyone in attendance. Not saying I don't go there to parade around in 7 inch heels and set fire to people's hair with Capri cigarettes, but I'm over clubs. I'm over the drama of stepping into a place and either everyone giving a fake smile or everyone saying they hate me this week.
Best song to dance to?
Any pop song with horrible sexual lyrics, like Britney, Madonna, Kylie.. all their songs are addicting and make me wanna take off my dress and dance like a [putsomeclotheson] girl in a Nelly video, I won't lie.
Best song to fuck to?
Any song by Arch Enemy. Every guy wants a drag queen to chain them to a bed and beat them up. Oh, let's not play pretend.
Do you get along better with men or women as friends? Sex partners?
I've got the impression that some people think I'm a bitchy gay queen, but I don't like to be defined by gender. I'm the complete opposite. I'm not a bitchy fag with tons of drama and friends of the like. I actually don't get along well with gay men because they're very catty and want the attention to always be about them. Stereotype? Yes because it’s true. I get along well with strong girls who don't take shit from anyone and I get along best with guys who cheat on their girlfriends with me. * laughs *
Are "straight" boys the most fun?
Straight guys give the best oral sex. Straight guys tend to open up to me when we're in alone situations. They express there feelings more then when they're around there guy friends. I think males tend to be very insecure and feel the need to act like they don't care about much, that they don't have emotions.. when in all actuality they're very sensitive and don't get the chance to be themselves when around other alpha males. I don't know if they're the most fun, but they sure are lots.
Was becoming "Queen of Myspace" a conscious decision, or did it just happen?
From being the reigning queen on other community websites like Melodramatic.com, Facethejury.com, Friendster.com.. I've built a cult following around the world so when Myspace first started, I thought it was another good opportunity to promote myself and network. There's never been any decisions, like "I'm going to take over the Internet and be a famous face." I've just always had the appeal to all different types of people and Myspace has been a great help in getting my name out there.
What do you think of the phenomenon of "internet celebrity"? Have you been able to use your internet notoriety in your offline life, to your benefit?
The Internet is the most used tool around the world, and I figured out how to benefit from it. People think I'm just famous from being on Myspace, but I've done TV shows, I do makeup for celebrities.. I don't like to limit myself from saying I'm only "big" because of one source. In my offline life it’s given me a lot of opportunities. Bands ask me to introduce their shows. Clubs pay me to appear at there venues, I get in free everywhere and don't have to wait in lines.. and several guys from around the world send me gifts and money, which was at first strange, but I understand. And I don't want to come off as having an attitude but it's a nice bonus for the hard work I've done to get to where I am.
Are there any other internet celebrities, or up and coming bands, that you think I should interview?
The other 2 main faces that you see on Myspace everywhere are Tila Tequila and Forbidden. I think they would be great girls to interview and more people need to know more about them, instead of making up assumptions and pretending they know them. I know them both in real life and they're really great people. I think all three of us get a lot of shit for being who we are. There's always gonna be a lot of haters out there and we know this, but its funny to me that people actually spend time making fake profiles and saying bad things about us.
We're NOT just pretty faces. We're NOT just hair and makeup. We're real people with talent.
Do you hold grudges?
I used to. But I found that caring about someone who's backstabbed you or you hate, is really a waste of time and energy. Friends who have talked shit about me aren't worth the time to talk about so I've realized I have better things to do. I can't always worry about who's saying what and who I hated haha.
What's the rudest thing anyone's ever asked you/said to you in public?
I don't even let people get the chance to think they've been "rude". I call it being stupid. I get asked a lot "Are you a guy or a girl?" I never knew anyone cared. Are they asking that because they wanna fuck me? I'd like to know. The dumbest thing I've heard was "What ARE you?" The simple arrogant reply: "I'm Jesus Christ, now shut the fuck up and pray." Last I remember, I was a walking piece of art. I was a human, like everyone else: with different tendencies and a lack of caring. In public, people tend to try and put on a show, by screaming at me or yelling loud so everyone can hear, it’s quite embarrassing for them. I know I'm amazing already, so I just say "thanks for the reminder" * smile *
What do you do for fun, other than going out to shows and being fabulous?
I love to get my photo taken. I like to dress up my friends and go out for no reason. I like to attend Alcoholic's Anonymous and drug addiction meetings, even though I'm not an addict, I like to hear people talk. I like Sidekick communication and lying on the floor in living rooms with music playing. I like to go to the beach at night with someone and talk until it’s really late and the police make us leave. Fun should be a four letter word, it'd be more fun.
And a question I ask everyone: what kind of deodorant do you use?
"Pink Sugar" by Aquolina. The label reads: " Playful. Mischievous. Romantic." and it smells like plastic.
In short, Jeffree Star is a force of nature, and if he gets his way (and I’m willing to bet he usually does), the world outside the Internet will soon know his name. I’m betting on him. Stay tuned for much more Jeffree. I’ll be doing a series of articles on him and his fabulous life!
http://www.myspace.com/jeffreestar
http://www.jeffreecuntstar.com/
