If you have spent even five minutes in the beauty corner of the internet over the last decade, you know the name NikkieTutorials. For many of us, she wasn’t just another YouTuber; she was the girl who taught us that makeup wasn’t about hiding, but about power. I still remember watching her “The Power of Makeup” video in 2015 and feeling a genuine shift in how I viewed my own morning routine. It wasn’t just foundation and mascara anymore—it was armor.
But who is the woman behind the viral challenges and the flawless cut creases? Nikkie de Jager has grown up online, evolving from a shy teenager in the Netherlands to a global superstar hosting Eurovision and launching her own empire. Her journey hasn’t just been about eyeshadow palettes, though. It has been marked by incredible highs, devastating heartbreak, and a level of vulnerability that most celebrities shy away from. Let’s dive into the real story of NikkieTutorials, stripped back and unfiltered.
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Key Takeaways
- Identity: Nikkie publicly came out as transgender in January 2020, changing the landscape of LGBTQ+ representation in the beauty community.
- Marriage: She tied the knot with her longtime partner, Dylan Drossaers, in September 2022 after a traumatic home invasion delayed their plans.
- Career: From a viral 2015 video to hosting Eurovision 2021, she has cemented her status as a global media personality.
- Business: She launched her own beauty brand, Nimya by NikkieTutorials, in 2021, focusing on skin prep and durability.
- Stats: Standing at 6’3″ (1.90m), she is one of the tallest female influencers in the game, with a net worth estimated around $6 million as of late 2025.
Where Did It All Begin for Nikkie de Jager?
Have you ever wondered what sparks a career that eventually reaches millions? For Nikkie, it started with a simple sick day. Born on March 2, 1994, in Wageningen, Netherlands, Nikkie was just a 14-year-old girl stuck at home watching MTV’s The Hills. She found herself mesmerized by Lauren Conrad’s makeup. Unlike most of us who just admire the look and move on, Nikkie decided to replicate it.
She grabbed her mom’s digital camera—the kind where you had to balance it on a stack of books because tripods were a luxury—and filmed her first tutorial. The lighting was bad, the resolution was grainy, and she was incredibly shy. Yet, there was a spark. I look back at those early uploads and see a determination that is rare in teenagers. She wasn’t doing it for fame; she was doing it because she loved the art of transformation.
By 2011, she had signed with a professional agency, Colourfool, and began working as a professional makeup artist. This foundation is crucial. Nikkie isn’t just an “influencer” who got lucky with an algorithm; she is a trained artist who honed her craft on real faces before conquering the digital world.
How Did NikkieTutorials Change the Conversation Around Trans Identity?
Do you remember where you were on January 13, 2020? I do. I was sitting at my desk when the notification popped up: “I’m Coming Out.” It wasn’t the typical clickbait title we had grown accustomed to on YouTube. It was raw, terrified, and incredibly brave.
In that video, Nikkie revealed a secret she had kept for her entire career: she is a transgender woman. She explained that she had transitioned during her childhood and early teens, living her life as a woman without the world knowing her medical history. But the reveal wasn’t entirely on her own terms. She shared that blackmailers had threatened to leak her story to the press, forcing her hand.
As a woman watching another woman reclaim her narrative, I felt a swell of protective anger for her. No one should be forced to share their medical history under threat. Yet, Nikkie took that weapon away from her blackmailers and used it to forge a shield. She looked the camera in the eye and said, “I am me. I am still Nikkie.”
The impact was seismic. Suddenly, millions of viewers realized they had been learning beauty tips from a trans woman for years, normalizing an identity that is often politicized or misunderstood. She proved that being trans is just one facet of a person, not their entire definition.
Who Is the Man Behind the Makeup Mogul?
We love a good love story, don’t we? In a world of messy influencer breakups and public feuds, Nikkie’s relationship with Dylan Drossaers feels like a breath of fresh air. They started dating in 2018, and from the glimpses she shared, he seemed to be the calm anchor to her chaotic, fast-paced lifestyle.
Dylan proposed in August 2019 during a romantic trip to Italy. It was picture-perfect, but their road to the altar hit a terrifying bump. In August 2020, the couple was robbed at gunpoint in their own home in Uden. I remember reading the news and feeling sick to my stomach. They were tied up and threatened—a traumatic experience that would shake the strongest foundations.
But they survived it together. They finally got married on September 6, 2022. Nikkie wore a custom Viktor & Rolf gown that was nothing short of spectacular. She later described the wedding as the happiest day of her life, a reclaiming of joy after years of fear and uncertainty. Dylan isn’t just a “husband” in the background; he has appeared in videos doing her makeup (hilariously badly, I might add) and stands by her as a genuine partner.
Is NikkieTutorials Really That Tall?
One of the most common questions people type into Google is about her height. So, let’s settle it: Yes, she is that tall. Nikkie stands at a statuesque 6 feet 3 inches (1.90 meters).
For years, she filmed from the chest up, so her height was a mystery. When she started doing full-body shots or standing next to other celebrities, the internet lost its mind. I love that she owns it now. Being a tall woman can be tough—society often tells women to be small and take up less space. Nikkie does the opposite. She wears heels, she stands tall, and she dominates the room.
She has even joked about it, referring to herself as a “giant” in a loving way. It sends such a cool message: your body is yours, and you shouldn’t shrink yourself to fit anyone else’s expectations. Whether she is towering over Ellen DeGeneres or posing next to a supermodel, she carries her height with an elegance that I frankly envy.
How Did Nikkie Cope with the Loss of Her Brother Mikai?
If you think Nikkie’s life has been all glitz and glam, you would be wrong. In May 2018, tragedy struck the de Jager family in the worst possible way. Her younger brother, Mikai, passed away at the age of 19 after a battle with lymphatic cancer.
Nikkie had been open about Mikai’s illness, but his death shattered her world. She took a break from uploading, which was completely understandable. When she returned, the vulnerability she showed was heartbreaking. She dedicated a video to him, doing her makeup in red—his favorite color.
Watching her apply eyeliner while talking about the boy who used to annoy her and make her laugh was a stark reminder that internet celebrities are human beings first. She didn’t gloss over the grief. She showed us that you can be successful and polished while completely falling apart on the inside. To this day, she honors his memory, often mentioning him when she achieves a major milestone, wishing he could see it.
Just How Much Is NikkieTutorials Actually Worth in 2025?
Let’s talk business. You don’t get to the top of the YouTube game without making some serious money. As of late 2025, estimates place NikkieTutorials’ net worth somewhere around the $6 million mark.
Where does all that cash come from?
- YouTube Ad Revenue: With nearly 15 million subscribers and billions of lifetime views, her monthly checks from Google are substantial, though they fluctuate.
- Brand Partnerships: She has worked with heavy hitters like Maybelline, Marc Jacobs Beauty, and Too Faced (more on that drama later).
- Television: Hosting Eurovision 2021 and appearing on shows like Glow Up and Drag Race Holland adds a nice diversify to her income.
- Nimya: Her own brand, launched in 2021, has been a steady success. Unlike influencers who slap their name on cheap eyeshadow, Nikkie focused on high-quality skincare and primers, products she actually uses.
It is not just about hoarding wealth, though. Nikkie has poured money back into her production value and her brand. She treats her career like a business, not a hobby, and the numbers reflect that discipline.
What Happened with the ‘Too Faced’ Drama?
We can’t discuss her career without touching on the one controversy that nearly broke her trust in the industry. In 2016, Nikkie collaborated with the brand Too Faced on a palette. It was a huge deal—a major mainstream brand partnering with a YouTuber.
However, the launch was a disaster. Fans complained that the quality of the palette they received was far worse than the one Nikkie used in her video. For years, Nikkie stayed silent, bound by contracts. It wasn’t until 2020 that the truth came out (largely thanks to fellow YouTuber Jeffree Star, surprisingly). It was revealed that she had been paid a flat fee of roughly $50,000, while the brand made millions off her name.
She later confirmed she had been naive and signed a bad contract. It was a harsh lesson in business. But look at her now—she owns her own brand, Nimya, where she controls the formula, the marketing, and the profits. She turned a moment of exploitation into a roadmap for independence.
What Is Next for Nikkie and Nimya?
So, what does 2025 and beyond look like for our Dutch queen? She has been selectively quiet on YouTube compared to the daily grind of the 2010s, shifting her focus to quality over quantity.
Her brand, Nimya, continues to expand. She recently launched new products that focus on durability—makeup that survives sweat, tears, and long nights. It feels very “Nikkie.” She knows her audience isn’t just sitting in air-conditioned studios; they are living real, messy lives.
She also seems more comfortable saying “no.” She turned down the role of Dutch spokesperson for Eurovision 2025, citing a need to close that circle and move on. That is a power move. It shows she is no longer chasing every opportunity but curating a life that makes her happy.
Why Do We Still Watch?
After 17 years online, why do we still click on a NikkieTutorials video? I think it is because she never lost the magic of that first upload. Sure, the camera is better, and the studio is bigger, but the enthusiasm is the same. She still gasps when a highlighter pops. She still cracks jokes when an eyeliner wing goes rogue.
Nikkie de Jager has survived blackmail, robbery, grief, and industry betrayal, and she has come out the other side sharper and kinder. She taught us that makeup is powerful, but living your truth is the ultimate glow-up. And honestly? I will be watching whatever she does next.
FAQs
Who is Nikkie de Jager and how did she become famous?
Nikkie de Jager, known as NikkieTutorials, is a Dutch makeup artist and YouTube personality who gained fame through her beauty tutorials starting in 2011, and became a global influencer through viral videos, collaborations, and hosting events like Eurovision.
How did NikkieTutorials influence LGBTQ+ representation?
NikkieTutorials publicly came out as transgender in 2020, sharing her story and helping normalize transgender identities within the beauty community and beyond, inspiring acceptance and understanding.
What is the significance of NikkieTutorials’ height, and how does she embrace it?
Standing at 6’3″ (1.90m), Nikkie is one of the tallest female influencers, and she confidently owns her height, using it as a symbol of self-acceptance and empowerment.
What major challenges has NikkieTutorials faced in her personal life?
Nikkie faced the tragic loss of her brother Mikai to cancer in 2018 and survived a traumatic home invasion in 2020, both of which she has openly discussed, demonstrating resilience and strength.
What controversies has NikkieTutorials been involved in, and how has she responded?
She was involved in a faulty collaboration with Too Faced in 2016, which she later addressed openly, using the experience to advocate for fair business practices and eventually establishing her own brand, Nimya.
