Net Worth Ranker
What Is James Charles’ Net Worth?
As of 2024, James Charles, the prominent American internet personality, makeup artist, and model, boasts a net worth of approximately $22 million. This valuation is primarily attributed to his successful YouTube channel, lucrative brand endorsements, merchandise sales, and strategic investments.
James Charles’ Early Life and Career Beginnings
James Charles Dickinson was born on May 23, 1999, in Bethlehem, New York. Details regarding his specific early life experiences, such as his exact address or school attended, are not publicly available. He launched his YouTube channel on December 1, 2015, focusing primarily on beauty and makeup tutorials. By January 2020, his channel had amassed over 1.8 billion views, featured more than 250 videos, and garnered over 16.7 million subscribers. This rapid growth established him as a key figure in the online beauty community.
Key Milestones and Brand Partnerships
A significant milestone in Charles’ career occurred in 2016 when he was named the first male brand ambassador for CoverGirl at the age of 17. This collaboration included working alongside pop star Katy Perry and becoming the face of the brand’s So Lashy! By BlastPro Mascara. His influence in the beauty industry was further solidified in March 2019 when he did the makeup for rapper Iggy Azalea’s music video for the song “Sally Walker.”
In 2018, Charles collaborated with Morphe Cosmetics to release the “Morphe x James Charles” eyeshadow palette. This palette featured 39 shades and retailed for $39. At its initial launch on November 14, 2018, the palette sold out completely in Europe in less than 6 minutes, demonstrating its immense popularity. In January 2019, Morphe Cosmetics invited him to the opening of the company’s second UK store in Birmingham, England, where over 7,000 fans attended, causing significant traffic disruption.
Beyond his beauty ventures, Charles has also explored modeling, walking the runway for fashion brand MarcoMarco’s “Six ½” collection during Los Angeles Fashion Week in 2017. In 2019, he became the first Instagram influencer invited to The Met Gala, further cementing his status in the fashion and entertainment industries.
Earnings from YouTube and Other Ventures
While James Charles has not yet been featured on the annual list of the ten highest-paid YouTube stars, it is estimated that at his peak, he could earn at least $5 million per year from his YouTube channel views alone, before taxes. This income is supplemented by various other sources, including paid Instagram posts, personal appearances, merchandise sales, and endorsement deals with brands such as CoverGirl and Morphe Cosmetics.
James Charles founded a clothing line called Sisters Apparel. Initially, the line was supported by Jeffree Star’s Killer Merch fulfillment services. After a feud between Charles and Star, Sisters Apparel was temporarily taken offline in May 2019. The company was relaunched a month later with a new distributor.
Controversies and Public Image
Throughout his career, James Charles has faced several controversies. In February 2017, he posted a joke about Africa and the Ebola virus on Twitter, which was widely criticized as offensive. He later apologized, acknowledging the inappropriateness of his remarks. In April 2019, he faced backlash for comments perceived as transphobic. Charles had described himself as a 5.5 on the Kinsey scale, stating that he had been attracted to both girls and trans men. He subsequently apologized for his “unintentionally transphobic” comments.
The most significant controversy involved a feud with fellow beauty YouTuber Tati Westbrook, who had previously been Charles’ mentor and collaborator. The feud began when Charles promoted Sugar Bear Hair, a direct competitor of Westbrook’s brand, Halo Beauty. On May 10, 2019, Westbrook posted a 43-minute video titled “BYE SISTER…” announcing her decision to end her relationship with Charles. In the video, Westbrook accused Charles of disloyalty, spreading rumors, and “manipulating people’s sexuality.” By June 2019, the video had garnered over 34 million views before being deleted from her channel.
Following Westbrook’s video, Charles lost over 1 million subscribers in less than 24 hours, reaching a low of 13.4 million subscribers on May 15, 2019. Meanwhile, Westbrook’s subscriber count increased by over 4 million during the same period. Charles initially responded with an 8-minute video titled “tati,” which received over 33 million views. In this video, he apologized to Westbrook and her husband. On May 18, 2019, Charles posted a second 41-minute video, “No More Lies,” addressing Westbrook’s claims and providing evidence to refute many of her accusations. After posting this video, he regained a million subscribers, leading to renewed support and criticism towards Westbrook.
Real Estate Investments
In February 2020, James Charles purchased a $7 million home in Encino, California. Prior to this, he had been renting a mansion in the same area for $15,000 per month. The new home is a 10,000-square-foot property with six bedrooms, located on the same block as fellow YouTuber Logan Paul’s $6.6 million home. Specific details about other real estate holdings or personal investments are not publicly available.
Net Worth and Financial Overview
James Charles’ $22 million net worth is the culmination of several income streams, including his successful YouTube channel, brand endorsements, merchandise sales, and real estate investments. His ability to leverage his online popularity into lucrative business ventures has solidified his financial standing in the beauty and entertainment industries. The “Morphe x James Charles” eyeshadow palette, which retailed for $39 and sold out quickly, exemplifies his capacity to generate significant revenue through collaborative product launches.
While precise figures for his annual earnings fluctuate, estimates suggest that James Charles can earn several million dollars each year. His YouTube channel, with over 250 videos and 1.8 billion views by January 2020, serves as a primary source of income. Additionally, his partnerships with brands like CoverGirl and Morphe Cosmetics contribute substantially to his financial success.
It is important to note that the estimated $5 million per year from his YouTube channel views is a pre-tax figure. Taxes, business expenses, and personal spending influence his actual take-home income. Nevertheless, James Charles remains a prominent and financially successful figure in the online beauty community.
