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James Charles facts for kids

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James Charles
James Charles - GLAAD Media Awards 2024 (cropped).png
Charles in 2024
Born
James Charles Dickinson

(1999-05-23) May 23, 1999 (age 26)
Occupation
  • YouTuber
  • makeup artist
Years active 2015–present
YouTube information
Genre
Subscribers 24.1 million
Total views 4.6 billion
TikTok information
Followers 40.8 million
Likes 1.5 billion
Page Display Name jamescharles
Page Direct URL jamescharles
Instagram information
Followers 20.3 million

Updated: May 11, 2025

James Charles Dickinson (born May 23, 1999) is an American beauty YouTuber and makeup artist. He started his YouTube channel to share makeup tutorials. In 2016, he became the first male brand ambassador for CoverGirl. This happened after a picture of his makeup went very popular online.

In 2020, Charles hosted and helped create a YouTube Originals show called Instant Influencer. He has also made an eyeshadow palette and a makeup line with Morphe Cosmetics. He has won many awards for his work on social media. These include two People's Choice Awards, three Streamy Awards, one Shorty Award, and one Teen Choice Award.

His career has included some public disagreements with other online personalities.

Early Life and School

James Charles Dickinson was born on May 23, 1999, in Bethlehem, New York. His parents are Skip and Christine Dickinson. His younger brother, Ian Jeffrey, is a model. In 2010, James started a YouTube channel called JaysCoding. On this channel, he sang songs and made videos about the Mario Kart Wii game.

He went to Bethlehem Central High School and finished in 2017. James said that he was sometimes picked on in high school, but he tried to ignore it. He began doing hair and makeup after a friend asked him to do her makeup for a school dance. He taught himself how to apply makeup. Soon, he started doing makeup for other girls in his area as a job.

James Charles's Career

In December 2015, James Charles started his YouTube channel. He began posting videos that showed how to do makeup. In September 2016, a picture of him retaking his high school photo with makeup and a special light went viral. This means it was shared by many people online.

In October 2016, when he was 17, he became the first male brand ambassador for the makeup company CoverGirl. Many people on social media praised this decision. He first appeared in ads for CoverGirl's So Lashy mascara. In November 2018, he started a clothing line called Sisters Apparel. He also launched a makeup collection, the Sister Collection, with Morphe Cosmetics.

By early 2019, he had 10 million subscribers on YouTube. In January 2019, his visit to Birmingham, United Kingdom, for a Morphe Cosmetics store opening caused a lot of traffic. In March 2019, Charles did makeup for Australian rapper Iggy Azalea for her song "Sally Walker". He also appeared in the song's music video. He planned a tour across the US called the Sisters Tour in April 2019. However, the tour was canceled the next month after a public disagreement with another social media personality.

Charles hosted the first season of Instant Influencer, a reality competition show from YouTube Originals. The show started on his YouTube channel in April 2020. He won the Show of the Year award at the 10th Streamy Awards for his work on this show. In March 2021, YouTube announced that he would not host the second season. In October 2020, Charles made a short appearance in the music video for American social media personality Larray's song "Canceled".

Since starting his channel, Charles has made many videos with famous people. He has done makeup on or with Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Lil Nas X, Kesha, Madison Beer, Doja Cat, JoJo Siwa, Charli D'Amelio, Addison Rae, Trixie Mattel, Avani Gregg, and Bretman Rock.

In January 2021, Charles sang a cover of the song "Drivers License". He released his first song, "Call Me Back", in February 2024.

Personal Life

James Charles shared that he is gay when he was 12 years old. When asked about his gender identity, he said he is happy being a boy. He also said he loves makeup and often wears long nails. In 2019, his wealth was thought to be around US$12 million. In 2020, he bought a house in Los Angeles for US$7 million.

TV and Web Appearances

Television roles
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2018 Alone Together Jasper Episode: "Pop-Up"
Web roles
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2018 The Secret World of Jeffree Star Himself Episode: "Becoming Jeffree Star for a Day"
2020 Nikita Unfiltered Himself Episode: "James Charles Confronts Nikita"
2020 Instant Influencer Judge Presenter and Judge; Season 1

Music

All song information comes from Spotify and Apple Music.

Songs by James Charles

Singles

Year Title Album Writer(s) Producer(s)
2024 "Call Me Back" rowspan="5" 0TBA James Charles Dickinson, Noah Davis, Alex Borel, Colin Foote Alex Borel, Colin Foote
"Can We Just Be Friends"
"Bring Me Water"
"Used to Love Me" James Charles Dickinson, Noah Davis, Alex Borel, Colin Foote, Andrew Tufano, Riley Biederer No producer credited
2025 "He Loves Me Not" James Charles Dickinson, Noah Davis, Alex Borel, Colin Foote Alex Borel, Colin Foote

Music Videos

Year Artist Title Director
2019 Iggy Azalea Sally Walker Colin Tilley
2024 James Charles "Can We Just Be Friends" James Charles and Strø Galang To
2025 James Charles "He Loves Me Not" No director credited

Awards and Nominations

Award Year Category Work Result Ref.
Kids' Choice Awards 2021 Favorite Male Social Star Himself Won
People's Choice Awards 2018 Beauty Influencer Won
2019 Nominated
2020 Won
Shorty Awards 2017 Breakout YouTuber Won
2019 YouTuber of the Year Nominated
Streamy Awards 2018 Beauty Won
2019 Nominated
2020 Won
Creator of the Year Nominated
Show of the Year Instant Influencer Won
Unscripted Series Nominated
Branded Content: Video "James Charles Spills the Tea on His Glow" Nominated
Teen Choice Awards 2018 Choice Fashion/Beauty Web Star Himself Won
2019 Nominated

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: James Charles para niños

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