Michelle Phan
Michelle Phan in 2018
Born (1987-04-11) April 11, 1987 (age 36)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesPhan Tuyết Băng
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur, influencer, Beauty YouTuber
Years active2007–present
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2006–present
Genres
Subscribers8.79 million[2]
Total views1.04 billion[2]
100,000 subscribers
1,000,000 subscribers

Last updated: December 31, 2021
Websitemichellephan.com

Michelle Phan (born April 11, 1987) is an American beauty YouTuber.[3] She is the founder and owner of the cosmetics line EM Cosmetics.

Early life

Michelle Phan was born on April 11, 1987, in Boston, Massachusetts.[4][1] Both her parents were of Vietnamese origin. Phan has an elder brother and younger half-sister. According to Phan, her biological father left the family when she was young. Her mother remarried but eventually left Phan's step-father after years of abuse.[5] Phan, her brother, and her half-sister followed their mother to Tampa, Florida, where she attended Tampa Bay Technical High School.[6]

Phan attended Ringling College of Art and Design but dropped out due to financial issues.[6][7] In March 2014, Phan received her Honorary Doctorate of Arts degree from Ringling.[8][9]

Career

Michelle Phan in 2012 at a Sephora in Glendale, California

In 2005, Phan had a personal blog in which she discussed different makeup tutorials and received requests for further instruction.[10] She began posting tutorial vlogs on Xanga under the username Ricebunny and then began posting on YouTube in May 2007.[11][12]

BuzzFeed featured two of Phan's "How To Get Lady Gaga's Eyes" makeup tutorials in 2009 and 2010, which helped them go viral and brought her over a million subscribers.[13][14][15] In 2010, Lancôme made Phan their official video make-up artist after she featured some of their products in her videos, making her the company's first Vietnamese-American spokesperson.[16]

In 2011, Phan co-founded MyGlam, a monthly beauty product subscription service. It launched in September 2012 and has since been renamed Ipsy.[17] Ipsy is a sponsor of the Generation Beauty conference.[18] Phan became a YouTube advertising partner and launched FAWN, a YouTube MCN (multi-channel network), in 2012.[19][20]

On August 15, 2013, L'Oreal launched a new cosmetic line called EM Cosmetics by Michelle Phan,[21] dedicating the brand to her mother. In April 2015, Phan bought L'Oreal's share of EM Cosmetics through Ipsy, which she confirmed on her Instagram in December 2016;[22] she later acquired the company from Ipsy and relaunched it in April 2017.[23][24] During this time, Phan also resigned from Ipsy in order to focus on EM Cosmetics.

In May 2014, Phan announced her partnership with Endemol Beyond USA to build a talent network to feature people from YouTube and create content for millennials.[25] The ICON network, dedicated to "beauty, lifestyle and entertainment," launched in March 2015 online and on television via Roku.[26][27] In September 2014, Phan partnered with Cutting Edge Group to launch Shift Music Group.[28] Phan published a book with Random House in October 2014, titled Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success -- Online and Off.[29]

In 2015, Phan was named to the Inc. 30 under 30 and Forbes 30 under 30 lists.[30][31] The same year, she raised $100 million to value the company Ipsy at over $500 million.[32]

Phan abruptly went on hiatus from YouTube in 2015.[33] On June 1, 2017, Phan posted her first video since the hiatus explaining why she took her break. Phan cited legal troubles, the failure of EM Cosmetics' initial launch, and her issues with self-image as what lead her to decide to take a break.[34] She continued her hiatus until officially returning to YouTube in September 2019.[35]

In 2021, Phan provided the voice of Blackberry Cookie, a character in the video game Cookie Run: Kingdom, which was uncredited in-game.[36]

Copyright infringement lawsuit

In July 2014, Ultra Records sued Phan in the United States District Court for Los Angeles for copyright infringement relating to the music used in her YouTube videos.[37] Ultra sought up to $150,000 in damages per infringement for up to 50 instances of alleged infringement, for a total of up to $7.5 million.[38][39] Phan's representatives stated that she had received permission from Ultra to use the music,[40] and Phan filed a countersuit against Ultra Records on September 18, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.[41] In August 2015, both suit and countersuit were dropped when both parties agreed to settle out of court. The terms of the agreement were not made public.[42]

Personal life

Phan's sister-in-law is fellow beauty YouTuber Promise Phan. The two have collaborated on each other's channels throughout the years.

Awards and nominations

Year Nominated Award Result
2014 Michelle Phan Teen Choice Award for Choice Web Star: Fashion/Beauty Nominated
Michelle Phan Teen Choice Award for Choice Web Star: Female Nominated
Michelle Phan Streamy Award for Inspiration Icon Award Won
Michelle Phan Shorty Award for Best YouTube Guru Won
2015 Michelle Phan Teen Choice Award for Choice Web Star: Fashion/Beauty Nominated
Michelle Phan Teen Choice Award for Choice Web Star: Female Nominated
2016 Michelle Phan Teen Choice Award for Choice Web Star: Fashion/Beauty Nominated

Publications

References

  1. ^ a b "Draw My Life - Michelle Phan". YouTube. May 19, 2013. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "About MichellePhan". YouTube.
  3. ^ Wischhover, Cheryl (April 10, 2017). "The Rebirth of YouTube Beauty Pioneer Michelle Phan". Racked. Vox Media.
  4. ^ "Glamorous Birthday Look". YouTube. April 9, 2009. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  5. ^ "Michelle Phan - NYLON February Cover Star". NYLON. January 6, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Michelle Phan, a YouTube sensation for her makeup tutorials, has transformed her life". Tampabay.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  7. ^ Ricapito, Maria (May 28, 2010). "Viral Videos: Michelle Phan's Rise to YouTube Stardom". Vanityfair.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  8. ^ "Ringling College: Internet Phenom Michelle Phan Receives Honorary Doctorate from Ringling College". Ringling.edu. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  9. ^ Forbes, Jihan (April 24, 2014). "Michelle Phan Talks Success, Her New Book and Miley Cyrus at the Unleash YouTube Event". The Fashion Spot. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  10. ^ Wick, Krista (May 26, 2012). "Meet Michelle Phan, Accidental Millionaire". The Insider. ET Online. Archived from the original on February 17, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2013. Phan is the second-most popular female personality on YouTube and has become spokeswoman for Lancome thanks to the success of her online videos. She also recently partnered with Glamhouse for her Jewelry line Ever Eden.
  11. ^ Hayes, Stephanie (August 22, 2009). "Michelle Phan, a YouTube sensation for her makeup tutorials, has transformed her life". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  12. ^ "ricebunny.xanga.com". ricebunny.xanga.com. June 20, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  13. ^ Tamar Anitai (January 27, 2010). "Makeup Tutorial: Learn How To Get Lady Gaga's Scary 'Bad Romance' Eyes". MTV. Archived from the original on April 3, 2010. Retrieved April 17, 2010.
  14. ^ Peggy Wang (July 9, 2010). "How to Get Lady Gaga Googly Eyes [VIDEO]". BuzzFeed. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  15. ^ Maria Ricapito (May 28, 2010). "Viral Videos: Michelle Phan's Rise to YouTube Stardom". Vanity Fair. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  16. ^ "Lancôme Signs Michelle Phan, YouTube Makeup Star". Main.stylelist.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  17. ^ "21 Success Mavericks". Success Magazine. June 1, 2013.
  18. ^ "Michelle Phan's Ipsy Hits $150 Million In Revenue, Launches Open Studios". Tubefilter. May 29, 2015. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  19. ^ Humphrey, Michael (September 21, 2011). "Michelle Phan: On Beauty, Bob Ross And Future Success". Forbes. Retrieved July 24, 2013.
  20. ^ "Beauty Gurus How-To: Becoming a YouTube Star". Yahoo! Shine. Archived from the original on April 5, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  21. ^ "YouTube's Beauty Guru Michelle Phan Lands Own L'Oreal Makeup Line Video". Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  22. ^ US, FashionNetwork com. "Michelle Phan acquires EM Cosmetics from Ipsy". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  23. ^ "ℳ on Instagram: "This isn't a rebranding. It's a rebirth. New @emcosmetics coming soon. ˗ˏˋ Φ ˎˊ˗"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  24. ^ Latimer, Audrey (September 29, 2017). "Michelle Phan is Leaving ipsy to Lead EM Cosmetics Full-Time". Global Cosmetic Industry. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  25. ^ "Endemol Beyond USA Aligns Forces in Exclusive Deal with Acclaimed Digital Pioneer Michelle Phan and Her Multi-Channel Network, FAWN, to Build a Premium Lifestyle Network for Women". Endemolusa.tv. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  26. ^ Bacher, Danielle (February 2016). "Michelle Phan: Life is Beautiful". Nylon: 60–69.
  27. ^ "Michelle Phan goes beyond YouTube with Icon multi-channel network". Theguardian.com. April 2015. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  28. ^ Spangler, Todd (September 26, 2014). "YouTube's Michelle Phan Launches Music Label". Variety.
  29. ^ "Make Up by Michelle Phan". Randomhouse.com. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  30. ^ Fenn, Donna (April 24, 2015). "30 UNDER 30 Remember These Names: The 2015 30 Under 30 List Is Here". Inc.com.
  31. ^ Adams, Susan (April 24, 2015). "Forbes' 30 Under 30". Forbes.com.
  32. ^ How Michelle Phan Built A $500 Million Company, Forbes, October 5, 2015
  33. ^ Hou, Kathleen (September 26, 2019). "Michelle Phan Was YouTube's Biggest Beauty Star. Then She Vanished". The Cut. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  34. ^ Fuller, Gillian (June 2, 2017). "Michelle Phan Returns To YouTube After A Yearlong Hiatus To Explain Why She Left". Allure. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  35. ^ Spangler, Todd (June 1, 2019). "Michelle Phan Relaunches YouTube Channel After Two-Year Hiatus". Variety. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  36. ^ "Michelle Phan (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  37. ^ "Ultra International Music Publishing, LLC et al v. Michelle Phan". Docket Alarm. July 16, 2014. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  38. ^ "YouTube star Michelle Phan sued over copyright". BBC News. July 22, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  39. ^ "Ultra Records Responds to Michelle Phan & Kaskade Copyright Controversy". Radio.com. July 28, 2014.
  40. ^ "YouTube Star Michelle Phan Fights Back Against Multi-million Dollar Lawsuit". Mashable.com. July 24, 2012.
  41. ^ "Phan". Scribd.com. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  42. ^ "YouTube Star Michelle Phan Settles Dispute with Dance Label Ultra Records". hollywoodreporter.com. August 13, 2015.

External links