Jeffree Star

Infobox musical artist
Name = Jeffree Star


Img_capt = Jeffree Star performing at Harper's Ferry, a venue in Allston, Massachusetts in May 2008.
Img_size = 250
Landscape =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Jeffrey Steiningercite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Jeffree Star Tickets | work = | publisher =AllGigs.co.uk | date = | url =http://www.allgigs.co.uk/view/artist/52209/Jeffree_Star.html | format = | doi =
accessdate =2007-07-30 ]
Alias = Jeffree Star
Born = birth date and age|1986|11|15
Died =
Origin = Orange County, California, United States
Instrument =
Genre = Pop, electro
Occupation = Singer-songwriter,cite web
last =Catalyst | first =Clint | title=Jeffree Star | publisher=Swindle (magazine)
date=Spring 2006 | url =http://swindlemagazine.com/issue08/jeffree-star/ | accessdate=2007-07-20] cite web | last =Dempsey
first =John
title=World of Wonders touts reality trio: Jeffree Star, Jim J. Bullock topline new shows
publisher=Variety
date=May 22, 2007
url =http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117965632.html?categoryid=1071&cs=1 | accessdate=2007-07-21]
Make-up artist,cite web | last =Smith | first =Kevin | title=Queen of the Internet | publisher=Arizona Star | date= May 24, 2007 | url =http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/aznightbuzz/184224
accessdate=2007-06-09]
fashion designer,cite web | last =Emonds | first =Craig | title=MySpace continues to expedite music careers | publisher=South End Newspaper | date=April 2, 2007 | url =http://thesouthend.typepad.com/tsenews/2007/04/myspace_continu.html | accessdate=2007-07-21]
model
Years_active = 2003-present
Label = Popsicle Records
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.myspace.com/jeffreestar MySpace.com/JeffreeStar]
[http://www.jeffreecuntstar.com JeffreeCuntStar.com]
Current_members =
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Jeffree Star (born Jeffrey Steininger, 15 November 1986) is an American model, fashion designer, make-up artist and singer-songwriter residing in the Los Angeles area. He is an Internet celebrity known for his popularity on MySpace as well as his fashion line and from his transgressive, genderfuck and gender-bending appearance and persona while calling himself "Queen of the Internet" and "CUNT: Queen of the Beautifuls".Weiner, Jonah (April 11, 2006). [http://www.slate.com/id/2139691/ "Tila Tequila for President"] . Slate.com. Retrieved July 29, 2006.] cite web | last =Immediato | first =Linda | title=Jeffree Star: The Fairest One of All
publisher=LA Weekly
date=9 May 2007
url =http://www.laweekly.com/la-people-2007/jeffree-star/16316/
accessdate=2007-06-09] cite web | title=Jeffrey Star: Electro / Pop / Rap | publisher=Virb | url=http://www.virb.com/jeffreestar | accessdate=2007-07-21] cite web
last =Catalyst | first =Clint | title=The Future is Jeffree Star: Inside the cult-like following of the Internet's most popular queer icon
publisher=Frontiers | date=2006 | url =http://www.frontierspublishing.com/mag/index.php?o=art&article=637
accessdate=2007-07-20] Star has leveraged his fame as an androgynous model and aesthetic talents to launch his own clothing line and forays into acting and DJing.

Early life

Star was born in Orange County, California. Star recalls that he "discovered that he was gay in his early childhood". His father died in his childhood thus Star was left alone while his working model mother went on assignments. He began experimenting with his mother's makeup at a young age, leading to an obsessive compulsive interest, and convinced his mom to let him wear make-up to school when he was in junior high.

Club scene

Star's make-up artist career was started at age fifteen as an "underage gender-bending club kid" wearing make-up, dying his hair in day-glo colors and cross dressing which in turn lead to receiving large amounts of attention from people both in and out of school. Star's popularity came from wearing women's clothing and accessories in high school. Star recalls that his obsessive compulsive disorder as a child pushed him into wearing his mother's makeup and clothes.cite web | last =Star | first =Jeffree | title=Jeffree Star's MySpace profile | publisher=MySpace | date=2007-07-20 | url =http://www.myspace.com/jeffreestar | accessdate=2007-07-20]

On weekends, Star recounts using a "fake ID to attend Hollywood clubs dressed in mini dresses and nine inch high heels where celebrities would contract him for make-up work at their homes", or "hiring [Star] as a model." He reports that his weekend partying at clubs and the make-up advice he gave was the foundation to his modeling career.

Make-up, modeling, and Internet fame

Star was referred to celebrities including Kelly Osbourne, Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, AFI frontman Davey Havok and Jessicka from the band Scarling.cite web | last =Spencer | first =Amy | title=Jeffree Star - Queen of the Beautifuls | publisher=IN Utah This Week | date= November 9, 2006 | url=http://www.inthisweek.com/article.asp?id=657 | accessdate=2007-07-24]

Star gained a cult following from posting outrageous photographs of himself on Internet forums and later MySpace, who began sending him gifts including expensive cameras to take more pictures.

On August 1, 2006, Los Angeles's LGBT magazine "Frontiers" featured Star on its cover.

On November 17, 2006 Star and several contestants from "America's Next Top Model" were a part of Black Chandelier's "Fall 2006 Runway Show" at Salt Lake City's Union Pacific Depot. Star was also a guest on "America's Next Top Model, Cycle 7".

On March 16, 2007, Star was one of the featured runway models for BOXeight's production of designer Jared Gold’s flamboyant "Quiet Army show", regarded as "the wildest front row in all of Fashion Week." The shows 2007 theme was "Mormon chic", effectively using the Los Angeles Theater as a backdrop during L.A. Fashion Week.cite web
last =Immediato | first =Linda | title=L.A. Fashion Week Smackdown | publisher=LA Weekly | date=March 21, 2007
url =http://www.laweekly.com/general/a-considerable-town/la-fashion-week-smackdown/15932/ | accessdate=2007-07-21] He has appeared in several music videos including Good Charlotte's "The River", Godhead's "Push", and Aiden's "One Love". Most recently he appeared in the video for Metro Station's "Shake It". He also kissed Chris Crocker in his latest video. [ [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3HHMnJekR-o YouTube - Broadcast Yourself ] ] .

MySpace celebrity

Jeffree Star used popular social networking website MySpace to further both his music as well as fashion design career. Star also used MySpace for blogging about his life while making social commentary on "self-image and confidence", fame, beauty and life. Using the nickname of "cunt" while using "cyanide-laced wit" in his online rants to attract attention, Star had built up a fan base on several websites but convinced many to join him on MySpace, giving his MySpace profile a large number of "friends" from the beginning. His MySpace friend base has since grown to over 864,000 as of September 2008cite web
last=Star
first=Jeffree
title=Jeffree Star: Electro / Pop
publisher=MySpace
date=2007-07-20
url=http://www.myspace.com/jeffreestar
accessdate=2007-07-20] with each new photo shoot getting over 50,000 comments when posted, and by November 2006, he was recognized as MySpace's most connected profile personality. [Market News Publishing. (November 1, 2006) "Kicks Off Retail Revolution."]

Star has also gained fame as one of the most popular unsigned artists with the daily rankings placing him in the top tier on MySpace.

Buzznet.com video-blogging

On March 28, 2007 at Project Runway's Jeffrey Sebelia fashion show Star was a front row "celebutante" where he revealed details of Buzznet.com’s “Queen Needs a Princess Contest” which had "a day of femme-licious fun with Star" as the grand prize. The social-networking, music-news site specializes in new-media (integrated photoblog and videoblog capabilities) which Star has capitalized on to dovetail his modeling and music interests.cite web
last =Lecaro
first =Lina
title=In the Kodak, in the Pink
publisher=LA Times
date=April 4, 2007
url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/nightranger/in-the-kodak-in-the-pink/16071/
accessdate=2007-07-21] Stars' social trendsetting participation at Buzznet and his success at growing online fan-base was noted in Buzznet's six million financing in May 2007.cite web
title=Buzznet Lands $6 Million Round of Financing Led By Redpoint Ventures and Anthem Venture Partners Same Venture Capital Firm That Pioneered MySpace Backs Leading Next Generation Social Media Company
publisher=PR Newswire
date=May 24, 2007
url=http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-24-2007/0004595342&EDATE
accessdate=2007-07-22] Star regularly uploads video-blog segments including music reviews, event reports as well as posting news about his upcoming music release.

Music career

' drummer who encouraged him to make music.

Star was then asked by Hollywood Undead to rap on their song "Turn Off The Lights" for their debut album. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S_ST6NPKkw] However, the track did not make it onto the disc. His first two solo tracks "Straight Boys" and "We Want Cunt", (named in tribute to his former screen name "Cunt: Queen of the Beautifuls") were co-written with Hole and one time Mötley Crüe drummer, Samantha Maloney and singer Jessicka from Scarling.cite web
last =Catalyst
first =Clint
title=The Future is Jeffree Star: Inside the cult-like following of the Internet's most popular queer icon
publisher=Frontiers
date=2006
url =http://www.frontierspublishing.com/mag/index.php?o=art&article=637
accessdate=2007-07-20] Star asked MySpace co-founder Tom to convert his MySpace profile into a music page so he could showcase his music.

On November 1, 2006 Star performed on the same bill as Los Angeles's Dirty Sanchez at the LA bar Key Club’s post-Halloween show.cite web
last =Lecaro
first =Lina
title=Dirty Sanchez: Local bands, man
publisher=LA Times
date=October 25, 2006
url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/diggin-your-scene/dirty-sanchez/14856/
accessdate=2007-07-21] Star has toured with electro musician Peachescite web
coauthors = L.A. Weekly Music Staff
title=Rock Picks For the week of December 14 – 21
publisher=LA Times
date=December 13, 2006
url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/music/rock-picks/15195/
accessdate=2007-07-21] , as well as Metro Station, Breathe Carolina, Dr. Manhattan, Brokencyde, and Ultraviolet Sound.

Star was also featured in Aiden's music video "One Love" in 2007. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daED2S9TmGM Aiden - One Love (Official Video)] ] On June 25, 2008 Star performed his new unreleased single "Cupcakes Taste Like Violence" at the 2008 Vans Warped Tour in Phoenix, Arizona. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsf1ULpJtuk]

Discography

In March 2007 Star released his first EP, "Plastic Surgery Slumber Party". It debuted March 20, 2007 at No. 1 on iTunes’s dance chartscite web
last =Immediato
first =Anthony
title=Jeffree Star: The Fairest One of All
publisher=LA Weekly
date=9 May 2007
url=http://www.laweekly.com/la-people-2007/jeffree-star/16316/
accessdate=2007-06-09] and "has consistently topped the iTunes dance charts at #1, hovering high above household names such as Justin Timberlake and Cascada."cite web
last =Emonds
first =Craig
title=MySpace continues to expedite music careers
publisher=South End Newspaper
date=2 April 2007
url=http://thesouthend.typepad.com/tsenews/2007/04/myspace_continu.html
accessdate=2007-07-21] Separately Star's MySpace page has an impressive 45 million listens off "Plastic Surgery Slumber Party".cite web
last =Star
first =Jeffree
title=Jeffree Star: Electro / Pop
publisher=MySpace
date=2007-07-20
url =http://www.myspace.com/jeffreestar
accessdate=2007-07-20]

Star announced in late 2007 that recording is underway for an album titled "Beauty Killer". On August 30, 2008 Star announced that he started his own record label called [http://www.myspace.com/popsiclerecords Popsicle Records] . Star has also stated that he will be releasing a 6-song EP in December 2008 which will be released in stores and digitally. His full album will be released in early 2009. On October 3, he released his new track "Starstruck" featuring Danger Radio as a free download on his MySpace page as a thank you to his fans.

Albums
*Beauty Killer - (Early 2009)

Singles
*"Heart Surgery Isn't That Bad..." (#15 USDC) - (February 14, 2008)
*"Starstruck (feat. Danger Radio)" - (October 3, 2008) - Available as a free download on Jeffree Star's MySpace page.
*"Lollipop Luxury" - (November 18th , 2008)

EPs
*Plastic Surgery Slumber Party (#1 USDC) - (March 13, 2007)
*Cupcakes Taste Like Violence (December 9, 2008)

True Colors Tour

During the summer of 2007, Star was advertised as a part of the True Colors Tour 2007,cite web
last =Naff
first =Lycia
title=Britney to Join Cyndi Lauper's Tour for Surprise Show
publisher=People
date=June 23, 2007
url =http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20043603,00.html
accessdate=2007-07-20] which traveled through 15 cities in the United States and Canada.cite web
title=True Colors: Special Guests
publisher=TrueColorsConcerts LLC
date=2007
url =http://www.truecolorstour.com/main.html
accessdate=2007-07-20] The tour, sponsored by the LGBT Logo channel, began on June 8, 2007 to coincide with Pride month.cite web
last =Spiro
first =Josh
title=Cyndi Lauper Releases 'True Colors' Comp
publisher=CMJ
date=2007-07-18
url =http://prod1.cmj.com/articles/display_article.php?id=42547326
accessdate=2007-07-20] Profits from the tour benefited the Human Rights Campaign as well as PFLAG and The Matthew Shepard Foundation. Though he was advertised as a special guest to perform on several West Coast dates, Star did not appear.

Star's song "Plastic Surgery Slumber Party" appeared on the August 2007 Tommy Boy release of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" tour compilation. Featuring ten tracks from ten of the artists, the compilation benefits the Human Rights Campaign, an organization that fights for civil rights for LGBT people.

Reality show development

Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato's World of Wonders Productions isdeveloping a reality show featuring Starcite web | last =Yourse
first =Robyn-Denise | title=Tuning In | publisher=Washington Times | date=May 29, 2007 | url=http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:3Rgk28oTTY8J:www.washingtontimes.com/entertainment/20070528-100016-8667r_page2.htm+%22World+of+Wonders%22+%22jeffree+Star%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us
accessdate=2007-07-21] and promise of "glamour and sexual tension." World of Wonders, who are also developing shows such as "Allison Margolin: The Dopest Attorney in Town", about an LA lawyer who specializes in medical-marijuana cases, and "Beauty School Dropout" featuring actor Jim J. Bullock's "second career as the would-be owner of a hair salon."

Merchandise

Star's T-shirts, hoodies and accessories were ranked #1 on Hottopic.com. The company later decided to conduct an interview with Star for their website. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOWAPKuWBTM YouTube - Hot Topic - Jeffree Star: A Day at HT HQ - 11.07 ] ]

References

ee also

* Celebutante
* Famous for being famous
* Queercore
* Video on Trial

External links

* [http://www.jeffreecuntstar.com Official website]
*
* [http://www.youtube.com/JeffreeStar Jeffree Star] at YouTube
* [http://jeffreestar.buzznet.com/user/ Jeffree Star on Buzznet]
* [http://www.bandmerch.com/java2/BandMerch/jeffreestar/ Jeffree Star Store]
* [http://www.purevolume.com/jeffreestar Jeffree Star on PureVolume]
* [http://dmoz.org/Arts/Design/Fashion/ "Fashion"] at the Open Directory Project
* [http://swindlemagazine.com/issue08/jeffree-star/ SWINDLE Magazine interview with Jeffree Star]

Persondata
NAME = Star, Jeffree
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Cross dressing model
DATE OF BIRTH = November 15, 1985
PLACE OF BIRTH = Orange County, California
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =