Two unconventional influencers have used social media to amass a loyal following to build multi-million dollar brands based on their unique — and often polarizing — personalities.
In 2004, Jeffrey Lynn Steininger created a Myspace profile with the moniker Jeffree Star to promote his gender-bending music. By 2006 he was the social media platform’s most followed person. No longer satisfied with music, he began posting makeup tutorial videos on Youtube in 2009. His catchy vernacular, over-the-top personality and confessional transparency make the videos on his Youtube channel akin to a campy game of truth or dare “dare” episodes such as, “Getting a Tattoo from Yelp’s Worst-Rated Tattoo Shop” and “Trying Dollar Tree Makeup for the First Time.” The “truth” episodes reveal the ugly side of the beauty business including the time professional counterfeiters broke into his warehouse and stole $2.5 million worth of yet-to-be released product.