- YouTube star Nikkie de Jager just came out as transgender in an emotional 17-minute video.
- The Dutch makeup vlogger said people had threatened to share her story with the media without her consent.
- Her video post today was her "taking back her own power."
Dutch YouTube star Nikkie de Jager, who vlogs on the platform under the username NikkieTutorials, just came out as transgender in a new video posted today. She is known to her over 12 million subscribers for her beauty and makeup tutorials and her series called "The Power of Makeup." But on Monday, in an open and emotional 17-minute video, Nikkie shared her story.
The YouTuber started the post with her token "hello, guys!" before taking a breath and explaining that this video is going to be a little different from others on her channel.
"Today, I am here to share something with you that I've always wanted to share with you one day, but under my own circumstances," she said, looking straight into the camera. "And it looks like, that chance has been taken away from me. So today, I am taking back my own power."
Nikkie then went on to explain that we, as humans, use a lot of labels, but she always wanted to be someone who wasn't defined by labels—either that she gave to herself or that were given to her by others. She said that it's a new year, and she wanted to start off 2020 with the truth.
"I can't believe I'm saying this today, to all of you, for the entire world to see, but damn it feels good to finally do it," she continued. "We don't need labels. If we are going to put a label on it, yes, I am transgender. But, at the end of the day, I am me. And at the end of the day, you are you."
Watch Nikkie's full video for yourself:
Nikkie explained in the video that she always wanted to tell viewers, but she had been recently blackmailed by individuals who wanted to leak her story to the media.
She also said that, as far back as she can remember, she knew she was a girl. When she was six, she grew her hair out and started wearing girls' clothes. She started taking hormones when she was 14 and, at 19, she had fully transitioned. There were students who were supportive and students who didn't quite get it, but she was able to find a strong support system in her teachers and her mom.
"Growing up, I think the number one thing I'm the most thankful for is my mom—love you, Mom—because she has been there for me since day one," she said.
Additionally, Nikkie noted that she used to think that there would be one day that she would have fully transitioned and would be able to fully shut the door on that chapter of her life. But, she realizes now that her transition is part of her whole life story and will always be part of who she is.
"With this message, I want to inspire little Nikkies around the world who feel insecure, who feel out-of-place, who feel misunderstood," she said. "I hope by me standing up and being free, that it inspires others to do the same, to truly live your life like you want it and the way you deserve it."
