There was an outpouring of love and support from the beauty community last night for Nikkie de Jager who came out as transgender. In an emotional 17-minute video the beauty guru, who also goes by her handle Nikkietutorials, explained that she had been born into the wrong body and that ever since she was born she thought she was a girl. 

“I am here to share that I am openly transgender and with this message I want to inspire little Nikkies around the world who feel insecure, who feel out of place, who feel misunderstood,” she says in the video. “I hope that by me standing up and being free that it inspires others to do the same, to truly live your life like you want to and the way you deserve it.”

Nikkie, who is now 25, explains in the video that at the age of six she started growing her hair out and by seven was wearing only girls clothes. By the time she was 14 she was on hormones and by 19 she says she had fully transitioned.

In response to the news, the beauty community, as well as the wider YouTube and celebrity communities, have come out in strong support of Nikkie. Ariana Grande, Aquaria, Alyssa Edwards, James Charles, Shane Dawson, Lisa Eldridge, Norvina, Trixie Mattel and Maddie Ziegler were among just a few of the names who celebrated the news. Many brands have also expressed their support. Marc Jacobs Beauty commented on Nikkie’s Instagram post saying “You are so inspiring and brave! Congratulations on being true to you.” Benefit Cosmetics wrote “You are so, SO loved, Nikkie! Here’s to freedom.”

Watch the full video here and view some of the support for Nikkie below.