On October 10, 2016 makeup artist and media star James Charles was announced as the very first Coverboy in magazine history. The young male makeup artist has a whopping 75,000 subscribers on Youtube and half a million followers on Instagram. Charles is breaking gender boundaries, along with multiple other stars by his side, putting aside all the gender stereotypes to help other people with the same interests as him.
Charles announced the new agreement on social media, along with pop star Katy Perry. The 17 year old stated in the Washington Post that his “first job in the beauty industry was hair styling, but one day a friend needed her makeup done before a school dance.”
Charles figured he would give it a shot.” James, along with other social media stars like Jeffree Star, Patrick Star, and Manny Mua are redefining the gender norms and supporting other people who feel uncomfortable with themselves. Having a young aspiring male as a CoverGirl is great promotion towards CoverGirl products. Not only will females continue to buy their products, but males may also be inclined to purchase their products, effectively doubling the company’s target audience, marketing, and income.
James had started his accounts and has been posting for about one year now, aspiring to teach both genders about makeup skills. He has to deal with haters sometimes, but he doesn’t allow them to tear him down. When The Washington Post asked how the young star handles the haters James said, “They really don’t bother me. I have a thick skin, and I’m definitely not willing to let someone….hate on someone else behind a keyboard get into my head. . . . Our industry has been tailored towards woman for so long, so I think the only way that men will start to become more comfortable will be if the stereotypes are removed. Every guy who is comfortable doing so, however, is setting an amazing example and hopefully inspiring those around him.” James will appear in campaigns for CoverGirl’s newest mascara, “So Lashy.” CoverGirl Industries explained why James is so perfect for the role of the new coverboy, “All of our CoverGirl´s are role models and boundary-breakers, fearlessly expressing themselves, standing up for what they believe, and redefining what it means to be beautiful.”
What James is doing is simply unbelievable. He is helping men, boys, and
other diverse people all around the world by showing the world that no matter what their gender role is, they are still beautiful and the best version of themselves that they can be. Having James and many other stars in the cosmetic industry will help millions of people to not feel ashamed of their gender or love interests.
John Steinfelt, a junior at Bernards, supports the movement of men wearing make up and said, “They have a right to do whatever they want. If I saw a boy walking into school with makeup on I wouldn’t judge at all.” Straight, gay, or transgender, anyone who wants to wear make up is allowed to. We are taking huge steps in LGBT society with James Charles officially being a part of Covergirl.
