James Charles, a 17-year-old male amateur makeup artist from Bethlehem, New York, with large Instagram and YouTube followings, has parlayed his social media fame into a historic contract with the cosmetic brand CoverGirl.
He becomes the first ever biologically male CoverGirl for the makeup line and “will appear in ads for CoverGirl’s new product So Lashy! by blastPRO Mascara,” Yahoo! Beauty said on Tuesday.
“Breaking gender norms just comes instantly as soon as a boy is comfortable and confident enough to put on makeup,” Mr. Charles told BuzzFeed. “I think it’s so important to love who you are and be comfortable in your own skin.”
For her part, fellow CoverGirl spokesmodel Katy Perry extended Mr. Charles a warm welcome in a Tuesday Instagram post.
“Honored to have the pleasure to announce the very first COVERBOY, James Charles! Follow him @JCharlesBeauty!” the pop star urged her followers, most of whom were supportive, although a few expressed their displeasure, if not outright disgust at the selection.
“What has this work [sic] come to where women’s role models are men dressed as women. Please explain,” one complained. “Sells sex to kids just to feed her pockets slut you should be a shamed of your self,” lamented another.
• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.
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