Jeffree Star: Biography, Net Worth, LGBTQ Identity, Feuds

Anyone who’s followed the beauty world over the past decade knows Jeffree Star is more than a makeup mogul. His journey from MySpace musician to founder of a billion-dollar brand is one of the most talked-about transformations in pop culture. Here’s a grounded look at his life, relationships, and controversies, backed by verified sources.

Full Name: Jeffree Star (born Jeffrey Lynn Steininger Jr.) ·
Known For: Makeup artist, founder of Jeffree Star Cosmetics, singer-songwriter ·
Estimated Net Worth: $200 million (2024) ·
Notable Relationship Duration: 5-year relationship with Nathan Schwandt (2015-2020) ·
YouTube Subscribers: 15.5 million

Six key facts about Jeffree Star, one pattern: his career spans music, beauty, and social media, each feeding the other.

Is Jeffree Star Part of LGBTQ?

Jeffree Star’s Public LGBTQ Identity

• Jeffree Star has publicly identified as gender non-conforming and pansexual in multiple interviews, a fact confirmed by Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia).
• He has been a visible LGBTQ figure since his early MySpace days, where his androgynous style and makeup challenged norms.

The implication: Jeffree Star’s identity is well-documented and not a matter of speculation. He has consistently used his platform to represent non-binary and pansexual visibility.

Historical Context of Jeffree Star’s Gender Expression

• Star’s early 2000s MySpace photos show heavy makeup, dyed hair, and flamboyant fashion — a deliberate departure from traditional gender presentation.
• Seventeen (teen lifestyle magazine) notes that his makeup artistry was initially seen as “shock value” but later became a blueprint for beauty influencers.

The pattern: What was once labeled transgressive is now part of mainstream beauty culture, and Star’s early risk-taking paid off in brand loyalty.

This highlights Star’s role as a pioneer in LGBTQ representation within the beauty industry.

What Has Happened to Jeffree Star?

Career Pivot and 2023 Album Release

• Jeffree Star released his first and only studio album, Beauty Killer, in 2009, according to Seventeen.
• In 2024, Star announced a 15-year anniversary re-release of Beauty Killer with three new songs and remastered tracks, as reported by Wikipedia.

The trade-off: Returning to music after a decade in cosmetics is a risky move, but it leverages nostalgia and his existing fan base.

Business Developments and Jeffree Star Cosmetics

• Jeffree Star Cosmetics was founded in November 2014, with Star investing his life savings after his music career stalled, per Wikipedia (Jeffree Star Cosmetics page).
• The brand reportedly sells more than $100 million worth of makeup annually, according to a Seventeen summary of Forbes reporting.
• A 2022 estimate cited by Wikipedia placed annual revenue at $45 million.

The catch: Revenue estimates vary widely, but even the lower figure confirms the brand remains a major player in indie cosmetics.

Recent Public Appearances and Social Media Activity

• As of 2024, Jeffree Star is active on Instagram (@jeffreestar) where he promotes his cosmetics line and shares updates from his Wyoming ranch, as seen on his Instagram profile.
• His YouTube channel, with 15.5 million subscribers, continues to post content, though less frequently than in previous years.

Why this matters: His social media presence keeps the brand visible and drives direct sales, but the reduced posting frequency suggests a strategic shift toward quality over quantity.

The implication: Star’s ability to pivot between music and beauty demonstrates a resilient personal brand.

Who Was Jeffree Star in a Relationship With?

Nathan Schwandt: 5-Year Relationship (2015-2020)

• Jeffree Star began dating Nathan Schwandt in May 2015, according to Business Insider (business news site).
• The couple moved into a $14.6 million Hidden Hills home in January 2020, but broke up later that month, ending their five-year relationship, as the same source reports.

The pattern: Star’s most public relationship was with a non-celebrity, grounding his image in a “normal” partnership that played well with fans.

Andre Marhold: Relationship After Nathan

• After the split with Nathan, Jeffree Star was in a relationship with Andre Marhold, a former basketball player, as reported by Business Insider.
• The exact current status of that relationship has not been recently confirmed.

The catch: Unlike the Nathan era, Star has kept his post-2020 relationships mostly private, which reduces fodder for tabloids but also leaves fans guessing.

Other Known Partners and Dating History

• Before Nathan, Star was linked to a few individuals, but none achieved the public profile of the Schwandt relationship.
• Wikipedia notes that his dating history is documented by E! News and People, but specific details are limited.

The implication: Star’s romantic life is a tool for his brand — when it’s public, it humanizes him; when it’s private, it protects his business.

This underscores how Star’s relationships have been selectively leveraged for public engagement.

Why Was Jeffree Star So Rich?

Revenue from Jeffree Star Cosmetics

• Jeffree Star Cosmetics is the primary source of his wealth. The brand launched in 2014 and quickly became a cult favorite, with annual sales reportedly exceeding $100 million at its peak, according to Seventeen.
• A 2022 estimate from Wikipedia puts annual revenue at $45 million, still substantial for an independent brand.

The trade-off: High revenue doesn’t mean high profit — Star’s luxury lifestyle and large purchases suggest significant spending, but the brand’s longevity indicates healthy margins.

YouTube and Social Media Earnings

• Wikipedia reports that Forbes estimated Star earned $18 million from YouTube alone in 2018, ranking him fifth among the highest-paid YouTubers that year.
• His Instagram and YouTube channels serve as direct marketing for his cosmetics line, reducing ad spend and boosting margins.

The pattern: Social media is both a revenue stream and a cost-saving tool, creating a flywheel effect for his brand.

Music Career and Other Ventures

• Star’s music career, while not as lucrative as cosmetics, provided early fame and a platform to launch his beauty brand. His 2009 album Beauty Killer and subsequent tours built a loyal fan base.
• Other ventures include merchandise, sponsored content, and a Wyoming ranch that serves as a backdrop for his lifestyle branding.

Why this matters: Diversification — music, cosmetics, social media, and real estate — spreads risk and multiplies income streams, which is why Star’s net worth remains high even after controversies.

The implication: Star’s wealth is a direct result of his ability to convert fame into multiple revenue channels.

What Happened Between Jeffree Star and Kylie Jenner?

Timeline of the Feud

• The public feud between Jeffree Star and Kylie Jenner began in 2018, centering on accusations of copying product launches. Star alleged that Jenner’s Kylie Cosmetics imitated his lip kit and eyeshadow palette designs.
• Both exchanged words on social media, with Star posting comparison photos and Jenner dismissing the claims, as covered by multiple news outlets.

The catch: Without a definitive public statement from either party, the exact timeline remains fuzzy, but the feud peaked around 2018-2019.

Allegations and Public Statements

• Star reportedly claimed that Jenner’s team copied his “King” lip shade and packaging, according to Wikipedia.
• Jenner’s side denied the allegations, and the dispute never went to court.

The pattern: In the beauty influencer world, copying accusations are common, but Star’s willingness to air them publicly boosted his brand’s “underdog” narrative.

Current Status of Their Relationship

• As of 2024, the relationship between Star and Jenner appears strained but not actively hostile. No recent public exchanges have occurred.
• The financial details of any settlement (if any) are not public.

The implication: The feud helped Star’s brand by positioning him as a competitor to the Kardashian-Jenner empire, but it also created a permanent rift that limits collaboration opportunities.

This feud exemplifies how public conflicts can be strategically used to maintain relevance in a crowded market.

Timeline

Key events in Jeffree Star’s career and personal life are highlighted below.

The pattern: Every major pivot in Star’s career lines up with a relationship change or business launch, suggesting a strategic mind behind the chaos.

What’s Confirmed vs. What’s Unclear

Quotes

“I’m a makeup mogul. I’m a singer. I’m a business owner. I’m not just one thing.”

— Jeffree Star, in a 2023 interview about his music return, discussing his multi-faceted career

“Jeffree Star and Nathan Schwandt were together for five years before separating in January 2020. The couple moved into a $14.6 million Hidden Hills home just weeks before the breakup.”

— Business Insider (business news site), dating history timeline

“Jeffree Star is an American makeup artist, media personality, and singer-songwriter. He is the founder of the cosmetics company Jeffree Star Cosmetics.”

— Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia), biographical entry

For Jeffree Star, the choice between expanding his music career and focusing solely on cosmetics is a real one. His brand is strong, but the 2024 album re-release will test whether fans still care about his music. For the beauty industry, his ability to pivot between mediums shows that a personal brand can survive — even thrive — on multiple fronts. For the influencer economy, the lesson is clear: diversify your revenue streams, or risk becoming a one-hit wonder.

To understand the full scope of Jeffree Star’s feuds and recent controversies, Jeffree Stars feuds and recent controversies provides detailed coverage of the wheelchair incident and ongoing drama.

Frequently asked questions

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