OPINION: Jeffree Star Has Had Enough Of The YouTuber Drama He Started
Jeffree Star has posted a video to YouTube announcing that he’s leaving California for good to focus on his mental health. He starts the 25-minute long video announcing: “For the first time in my life at 35 years old, I am finally leaving California.”
The extremely controversial YouTuber has lived in California all of his life, upgrading last year from his Calabasas “barbie dreamhouse”. He recently bought a home in Wyoming to live part time, which helped fuel recent rumours that he was romantically linked with Kanye West. (January was weird).
Yep, Star has made the “astronomically hard” decision to sell his huge estate in Hidden Hills, California, which is going for a breezy $20 million, according to E!. “Being in this big house is really lonely. I’m just one person,” Jeffree Star admits, reflecting on his break-up with Nathan Schwandt.
In the video, Star addresses his mental health, stating that he’s “a very damaged person” and reflecting on the last chaotic and turbulent years of his life. “2019 – I had some of the biggest wins in my entire career, and I had some of the biggest losses of my entire life. Instead of healing from those traumas, I ran, I covered it up and I never got to address it,” Star states, perhaps reflecting on the wild and controversy-ridden year of the beauty YouTube community that Star placed himself at the centre of.
“I somehow got caught up in joining this YouTube space and the beauty world. Now the beauty community is insane,” Star says, seemingly downplaying his role in fueling a lot of the chaos and upset. “I was part of the problem, but I also got swept up into so many other people’s bullshit and I’ll regret that forever. All of the crazy things that have happened publicly.”
“What I want to let you guys know is that I don't want to entertain drama, I haven’t in months and months and I’ve been attacked 20 times and I just ignore it now and do me. I can’t clap back at everyone, I can’t make sit down videos letting people know ‘the truth’ but I really used to think that’s what I had to do. As soon as something happened behind the scenes I had to react publicly and let everyone know my side of the story and I had to be right, and I regret that,” he said.
Star then goes on to compare himself to Regina George, of all people, saying he really slipped into the Mean Girls role before saying he’s sorry. “A lot of the times I amplified things when I should have just shut up. I made things ten times worse so many times realised that I really need help.” Make no mistake: speaking up on mental health struggles is important, and I applaud anyone who seeks the help they need.
It’s also important to acknowledge that the YouTube ‘drama’ Jeffree speaks of is just the tip of the iceberg. Over the course of several years Star has faced accusations of physical and sexual abuse, among other disturbing allegations including using legal tactics to silence his alleged victims and the existence of supposed “hush money” offers. (Jeffree Star’s lawyers have denied these allegations.) Star has also been called out for past racist behaviour, including sharing racist comments.
Watch Jeffree Star’s latest YouTube video here.
If you're struggling with your mental health, there are plenty of ways to seek help. Head over to headspace or call lifeline on 13 11 14 to speak to someone.
Words and interview by Dani Leever, writer and homosexual pop culture enthusiast. Find their words at @danileever or catch their gay DJ drag adventures at @djgaydad.
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