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Nikita Dragun

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Nikita Nguyen
Nguyen in 2019
Personal information
Born (1996-01-31) January 31, 1996 (age 28)
Belgium
NationalityAmerican
YouTube information
Years active2014–2022
Genre(s)Beauty, vlog, makeup
Subscribers3.43 million
Total views187 million
100,000 subscribers2016[1]
1,000,000 subscribers2018[1]
Last updated: March 28, 2024

Nikita Nguyen (born January 31, 1996), known professionally as Nikita Dragun, is an American internet personality, YouTuber, make-up artist, and model.[2]

Early life and education

Nguyen was born on January 31, 1996[3][4] in Belgium[5] and raised in Springfield, Virginia, United States.[6]

She is of Vietnamese and Mexican descent. She is a trans woman and began her gender transition while in college,[7] choosing the name Nikita based on the television series of the same name.[4]

Career

Nguyen joined YouTube in February 2013. She stated, "I started to get little brand deals around that time… That was also when I decided to start taking Instagram and YouTube seriously." She later relocated to Los Angeles, where, in 2015, she came out as transgender.[2] As of May 2023, she has 3.5 million subscribers on YouTube, 9 million followers on Instagram, and 14.5 million followers on TikTok.[8]

In response to comments by L Brands chief marketing officer Ed Razek that trans women should not be included in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show because "the show is a fantasy", Nguyen tweeted a video of herself modeling lingerie. In the tweet, Nguyen argues that trans women were indeed able to convey fantasy.[9]

In March 2019, she announced a make-up line, Dragun Beauty.[10] Aside from the mainstream market, the cosmetic line is also targeted towards the transgender community. All products are vegan and cruelty-free; this is cited as a reason why Nikita decided to launch her brand independently.[6] In June 2019, Nguyen was interviewed about her make-up brand on the LGBT radio network Channel Q, where she credited her journey as a trans woman building her brand as the inspiration behind Dragun Beauty and its products.[11]

In September 2019, it was announced Nikita would be starring in her own docuseries on Snapchat, "Nikita Unfiltered". The series follows Nguyen as she searches for love, "a different path" in her career, and navigates fame as a trans woman. The series premiered on March 21, 2020.[12][13]

Controversies

A 2017 photo shoot in which Nguyen appeared in heavy bronzer led some on Twitter to accuse her of blackface or blackfishing.[14][15]

On July 21, 2020, Nguyen held a surprise birthday party for YouTuber Larri Merritt during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Hype House mansion.[16] The party included internet celebrities such as James Charles, Charli D'Amelio, Dixie D'Amelio, and others.[17] At the time of the party, California's COVID-19 cases had just surpassed New York's cases.[18] An estimated 67 people were in attendance,[19] many of whom were seen without face masks[17] despite local health recommendations.[20] Photos and videos of the event appeared on social media sites such as Instagram. These posts drew criticism from the public, including other influencers like Elijah Daniel and Tyler Oakley.[16][21] Merritt and some of the other attendees later apologized.[19] Residents of the Hype House later tested negative for COVID-19.[22]

Arrest

Nguyen was arrested on November 7, 2022, after police claimed they found her roaming around a swimming pool at The Goodtime Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, wearing only underwear and spraying police and security personnel with water. According to the police report, officers were called in response to a report of a person acting in a "highly disorderly fashion" and causing a disturbance.[23] She was charged for misdemeanor disorderly conduct, misdemeanor battery, and felony battery on a police officer. Nguyen was taken into custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami-Dade County with a $2,000 bond.[24] She claimed she was placed into a men's prison despite her gender identity.[25][26]

Officials from the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department disputed Nguyen's account, saying during Nguyen's booking process she was first held in an open seating area, then in a one-person holding cell.[27]

Filmography

Web series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2018–2019 Escape the Night The Troublemaker Main cast; 14 episodes [28]
2020 Nikita Unfiltered Herself 10 episodes [12]
Instant Influencer with James Charles Herself Episode: "I Have to Apologize for This..."

TV series

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2019 The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Herself Episode: "The Show Must Go On" [28]
2022 Hype House Herself Main role [29]

Music videos

Year Title Performer(s) Ref.
2018 "Heart to Break" Kim Petras [30]
"That Bih" Qveen Herby [31]
2019 "Best Friend's Ass" Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Paris Hilton [32]
"Fuck It Up" Iggy Azalea, Kash Doll [33]
2020 "Malibu" (At Home Edition) Kim Petras
"Baby, I'm Jealous" Bebe Rexha, Doja Cat
2022 "Booty" Saucy Santana, Latto

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2019 Streamy Awards Beauty Herself Won [34]
E! People's Choice Awards The Beauty Influencer of 2019 Nominated [35]
American Influencer Awards Makeup Influencer Of The Year Nominated [36]
Modelland Smize Award Won
2020 Shorty Awards Best in Beauty Won [37]
E! People's Choice Awards The Beauty Influencer of 2020 Nominated [38]
Streamy Awards Show of the Year Nikita Unfiltered Nominated [39]
Documentary Nominated
Creator Product Dragun Beauty Nominated
2021 Show of the Year Nikita Unfiltered Nominated [40]
Unscripted Series Nominated
2022 Fashion & Style Herself Nominated [41]

References

  1. ^ a b "Nikita Dragun's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) – Social Blade Stats". Archived from the original on October 21, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "YouTube Star Nikita Dragun on Authenticity, Inclusivity, and Why the Trolls Don't Scare Her". Elle. September 30, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
  3. ^ Dodgson, Lindsay (February 3, 2021). "Nikita Dragun is facing backlash for throwing a birthday party where maskless influencers kissed each other". Insider. Retrieved July 12, 2021. Influencer Nikita Nguyen, better known as Nikita Dragun, has hosted yet another pandemic party — this time for his 25th birthday ... on January 31, which documented the party.
  4. ^ a b Vasquez, Lane (January 19, 2021). "The Truth About Nikita Dragun's Name". Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  5. ^ 2015 Q&A with Nyc Dragun!!!. January 19, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2023 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ a b Sharma, Jeena (April 8, 2019). "Nikita Dragun Wants You to Live Your Fantasy". PAPER. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  7. ^ Lamare, Amy (May 17, 2019). "Who Is Nikita Dragun? New Details On The YouTube Makeup Artist Who Defended James Charles In The Tati Westbrook scandal". YourTango. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  8. ^ "Here's What's Going On With All The Drama Between Popular Beauty YouTubers Accusing One Another Of Being Racist". BuzzFeed. August 24, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  9. ^ "In a company first, Victoria's Secret hires openly transgender model". NBC News. February 12, 2020. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  10. ^ Tietjen, Alexa (March 11, 2019). "Exclusive: Nikita Dragun Debuts Cosmetics Brand Dragun Beauty". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  11. ^ "Nikita Dragon Exclusive Interview". We Are Channel Q. June 20, 2019. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  12. ^ a b "Nikita Dragun's new docuseries is arriving on Snapchat, and she's hoping it provides 'a little bit of fantasy and escape' from the coronavirus". Insider.com. March 19, 2020.
  13. ^ Boren, Jade (March 21, 2020). "Nikita Dragun Is Ready To Show Fans 'Everything' In New Snapchat Docuseries: 'It's Completely Unfiltered'".
  14. ^ II, Moises Mendez (June 3, 2021). "A complete timeline of every controversy Nikita Dragun has been in since her rise to YouTube fame in 2014". Insider. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  15. ^ Stiegman, Kelsey (March 3, 2017). "UPDATED: People Are PISSED About Jeffree Star's Latest Ad Campaign". Seventeen. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Williams, Janice (July 28, 2020). "Influencers Face Backlash After Attending Party for TikTok Star Larray As Coronavirus Surges. Newsweek". Newsweek. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  17. ^ a b Lustig, Hanna. "Dozens of top influencers gathered for a massive Hype House birthday party despite record COVID-19 numbers in California". Insider. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  18. ^ McGreevy, Patrick (July 22, 2020). "California to obtain more masks, gear as it becomes state with most COVID-19 cases". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  19. ^ a b Tenbarge, Kat (July 27, 2020). "Party-goers were subjected to strong online backlash, but that hasn't stopped them from continuing to go out". Insider. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  20. ^ Lloyd, Jonathan (June 19, 2020). "If You Have Questions About California's Face Mask Rules, This List Has Them Covered". NBC Los Angeles. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  21. ^ Henry, Ben (July 23, 2020). "Tyler Oakley Called Out James Charles, Charli D'Amelio And More For Attending An "Insane Surprise Party" During Lockdown". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  22. ^ Roantree, Megab (August 4, 2020). "Nikita Dragun Got The Hype House Tested For Coronavirus". Kiss. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  23. ^ "YouTube Influencer Nikita Dragun Charged with Felony Battery of an Officer at Miami Hotel". NBC Miami. November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  24. ^ "Nikita Dragun Arrested at Miami Hotel ... Allegedly Naked at Pool". TMZ. November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  25. ^ Rude, Mey (November 9, 2022). "Trans Influencer Nikita Dragun Reportedly Being Held in a Men's Prison". Out.
  26. ^ Heady, Taylor Alexis (November 9, 2022). "Trans Influencer Nikita Dragun Reportedly Held in Men's Jail Unit Following Arrest". Popcrush. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  27. ^ Gothner, Chris (November 10, 2022). "Officials dispute account, say transgender influencer Nikita Dragun was never in men's jail". WPLG. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  28. ^ a b "Nikita Dragun". IMDb.
  29. ^ Ylanan, Aida (April 23, 2021). "TikTok's Hype House is coming to Netflix — but don't expect to see its biggest stars". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  30. ^ "Heart to Break - Kim Petras (Official Music Video)". YouTube. April 26, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  31. ^ "Qveen Herby - THAT BIH (360º Video)". YouTube. March 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  32. ^ "Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike vs. Paris Hilton - Best Friend's Ass (Official Music Video)". YouTube. May 24, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  33. ^ "Iggy Azalea - F*ck It Up (Official Music Video) ft. Kash Doll". YouTube. July 19, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  34. ^ "Streamys Awards Winners 2019". Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  35. ^ "People's Choice Awards 2019".
  36. ^ "2022 Awards". American Influencer Awards. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  37. ^ "Shorty Awards 2020".
  38. ^ "People's Choice Awards 2020 Winners: The Complete List". E! Online. November 16, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  39. ^ "10th Annual Streamy Nominees & Winners". The Streamy Awards. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  40. ^ "11th Annual Streamy Nominees". The Streamy Awards. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
  41. ^ "12th Annual Streamy Nominees". The Streamy Awards. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
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