Yes, you heard correctly.
CoverGirl, the American cosmetics manufacturer (for those of you who’ve been living under a rock your entire life), has just announced that for the first time in the company’s 60 year history, their spotlight ambassador will be male.
(Photo Credit: Instagram)
James Charles Dickenson, the 17-year-old Youtube and Instagram sensation from Bethlehem, New York, is set to join the ranks of Zendaya, Katy Perry and Ellen DeGeneres as the face of the iconic firm. Despite being dubbed a ‘non-celebrity’, James Charles gained a cult following of 650, 000 followers on Instagram and over 90, 000 subscribers on Youtube by posting selfies and tutorials of his eye-popping makeup creations.
(Photo Credit: Pinterest)
The announcement came through fellow spokesmodel Katy Perry on Twitter, as the star commented that she was “honored to have the pleasure to announce the very first COVERBOY, James Charles!”. The ‘California Girl’ has since then taken Dickenson under her wing, as the two were pictured embracing in a recent CoverGirl shoot.
(Photo Credit: Twitter)
At the announcement, Charles took to Instagram to express his excitement writing “I am so honored and excited to be working with such an iconic brand. I started my Instagram one year ago to inspire others and as an artistic outlet to challenge myself creatively. I truly hope that this shows that anyone and everyone can wear makeup and can do anything if you work hard.”
James Charles launched his Youtube account in 2015 aspiring to become “New York’s newest makeup artist”, after discovering a love for cosmetics doing makeup for friends at no charge alongside his school work. However, he didn’t gain internet fame until he insisted on retaking his own Senior Class photos himself using his own ring light after disliking how the fluorescent lights “failed to pick up his highlighter” (PREACH), and the results went viral.
(Photo Credit: Instagram)
CoverGirl recently released a statement on the decision commenting “all of our CoverGirls are role models and boundary-breakers, fearlessly expressing themselves, standing up for what they believe, and redefining what it means to be beautiful. James Charles is no exception”. “One year ago, he boldly chose to launch his Instagram to the world, using transformative, dynamic makeup looks to showcase the many facets of his personality, serving as an inspiration to women, men, guys and girls who might have been afraid to do the same.”
The teen continues his steady rise to fame being named in the Times’ 30 Most Influential Teens of 2016 and will also feature as the new face of the soon-to-be launched So Lashy! by BlastPro Mascara next month.
(Photo Credit: Instagram)
He came. He Saw. He Contoured.
“James Charles” is definitely not a name that you will be forgetting any time soon.
We wish him all the success in the future and props to CoverGirl for keeping it Easy, Breezy and always Beautiful.