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Attention sisters! If you want to be the next James Charles, listen up. On November 15, Charles announced his new reality competition, a brand-new YouTube series called James Charles Instant Influencer. James Charles is searching for the next big name in the makeup community, and it could be you! This four-part first of a kind series will take you on a hunt for the next beauty guru through a reality competition featuring other top beauty influencers. The top prize is $50,000, and all it takes is several challenges and James Charles’ approval. This competition is huge for Charles, as he has had many ups and downs in recent months. But despite that one-time Tati Westbrook canceled James Charles, his following count is up and so is his status as a top beauty influencer on YouTube.
What Inspired James Charles to Create this Series?
Are we really surprised about this reality competition? James Charles is always talking about his love for drama and reality TV in his YouTube videos. “Reality competition shows have always been a guilty pleasure of mine, and ever since I became a content creator on YouTube, it’s been one of my biggest dreams to create my own…” he says in his new video as he announces the new series. There’s nothing more fitting for James Charles than a combination of makeup and reality TV. In his announcement video, he warms the heart of his viewers in sharing his underlying intention of creating this series, “Beauty is such a major industry, and I’ve been lucky enough to grow a huge platform, but now I want to give back and share the knowledge I’ve gathered with others.” According to James Charles, he has been developing this series for over three years.
What Can I Expect?
The reality competition will be a “Project Runway”-style competition, where James Charles will pick one lucky winner to receive the prize of any beauty guru’s dreams. James Charles will host, judge, and executive produce the show himself. The show will air for free on YouTube in the spring of 2020, with episodes releasing weekly. James Charles said he is specifically looking for micro influencers, who are not actively posting, but work hard and deserve to be discovered for their talent. The series is made possible by YouTube and Brian Garden Media. The series will be produced by Brian Graden Media, who is the mastermind behind the hit series “Escape the Night.” Brain Graden, President of Brian Graden Media, exclaimed, “BGM is thrilled to extend partnership with YouTube Originals on yet another exciting project!” In other words, you can expect a very well done and entertaining reality completion.
How Can I Sign Up?
To sign up, visit the show’s casting website and fill out a quick and easy application. Applications are being accepted until November 21 at midnight on jamescharlescasting.com. You must be a US resident, over the age of 18, and have a YouTube beauty channel. James Charles will pick six contestants from the applicants and fly them to LA for the show. Here’s a tip: James Charles has said he is looking specifically for beauty gurus who do not have a large following!
What Will the Competition Entail?
This reality competition will consist of multiple challenges that require the approval of the judges, who are speculated to be other top beauty gurus in the YouTube community. In the four-part series, the six contestants/unknown beauty gurus will be tested to their limits on camera and judged by YouTube’s hottest makeup artists. However, competitors will attempt to complete challenges that test not only makeup skills, but everything it takes to be an influencer. Sounds like a piece of cake, right?
What Is the Winning Prize?
In addition to $50,000, this reality competition will allow a beauty influencer the exposure he or she needs to become successful on YouTube. It is expected that the winner of this series will gain subscribers, receive sponsorships, and may create makeup of their own one day just like James Charles. Given that all six contestants will be YouTube beauty gurus who are NOT well known, this is huge for the six makeup artists and their careers!
What Is YouTube’s Underlying Goal in Funding this Series?
According to Variety, YouTube is beginning to limit its scripted shows and aims to revamp its strategy in creating original streaming content. YouTube is funding the reality competition’s production, which tells us YouTube’s newfound goal is to emphasize authentic, unfiltered, and unscripted video content. Through the use of influencers like James Charles, YouTube is taking advantage of its highest-performing content creators in an effort to grow the platform. Could YouTube be trying to compete with streaming platforms such as Disney+, Netflix, and Hulu?
