The internet has a very short memory. Most people today see Rebecca Black as a hyperpop icon who survived the most brutal cyberbullying of the 2010s to become a critically acclaimed independent artist. Meanwhile, Jeffree Star is often viewed through the lens of his massive makeup empire, his Wyoming yak ranch, or the endless cycle of "Dramageddon" that defined his YouTube era.
But if you go back far enough, their paths crossed in a way that feels like a fever dream.
It’s easy to forget that before Jeffree was a beauty mogul, he was a MySpace musician trying to make it in the same pop world that eventually chewed up and spit out a 13-year-old Rebecca Black. Their connection isn't just about a single photo or a tweet; it's a weirdly perfect case study in how the "Old YouTube" ecosystem worked—and how both of them had to reinvent themselves to survive it.
The Viral Collision of 2011
When "Friday" exploded in 2011, Rebecca Black wasn't just a meme. She was a target. She was a kid who suddenly had the entire world calling her "the worst singer ever" because of a low-budget music video her parents paid for. Honestly, it was a dark time for her, and the industry vultures were circling.
Enter Jeffree Star.
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At the time, Jeffree was still deeply embedded in the music scene. He had released his album Beauty Killer a couple of years prior and was a fixture on the Warped Tour circuit. While the rest of the world was busy making fun of Rebecca, Jeffree—who has always had a knack for spotting a viral moment before it peaks—was one of the few established internet figures who didn't just mock her. He saw the potential in the "infamy" she was experiencing.
People often ask if they actually worked together. The answer is sorta, but not in the way you’d think. There wasn't a big "Rebecca Black ft. Jeffree Star" track, which, looking back, is probably a blessing for Rebecca’s long-term career. However, they were frequently seen in the same circles during the height of the "Friday" craze. Jeffree even defended her in his own provocative way, basically pointing out that she was getting more views than most "real" artists.
Why the Jeffree Star and Rebecca Black Connection Still Matters
The reason people keep searching for these two names together in 2026 is that they represent two completely different ways to handle being "cancelled" or hated by the internet.
- Rebecca Black took the high road. She spent a decade learning how to write music, came out as queer, and reclaimed her narrative.
- Jeffree Star leaned into the villain role. He built a multi-million dollar business out of the fact that people couldn't stop talking about him, even when they hated him.
There was a moment around 2017 when Jeffree was at his peak as a beauty guru, and Rebecca was starting to pivot into her more mature, "serious" pop sound. Fans noticed they still followed each other and occasionally interacted on Twitter. It felt like a nod from one survivor of the 2011 internet to another.
But as Jeffree’s controversies piled up—racism allegations, the falling out with James Charles, and the Shane Dawson fallout—the distance between them grew. Rebecca, who was busy becoming a darling of the queer indie scene with tracks like "Girlfriend" and her 2021 anniversary remix of "Friday," seemingly distanced herself from the more toxic elements of YouTube culture.
The Shane Dawson Factor
You can't talk about these two without mentioning Shane Dawson. For a while, Shane was the bridge between everyone. He featured Rebecca in his videos during her "comeback" era, and he was, of course, Jeffree’s closest collaborator during the makeup launches.
In a weird way, Rebecca Black and Jeffree Star are like two survivors of the same shipwreck who ended up on different islands. One built a peaceful village; the other built a fortress.
Rebecca has recently spoken out about the "creepy" nature of some of her early interactions with the big YouTubers of that time. While she hasn't explicitly called out Jeffree in the same way she has others, she’s made it clear that being a teenager in those adult-dominated digital spaces was traumatizing. Jeffree, being much older and already a veteran of the MySpace wars, was part of that "adult" world she was thrust into.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that they had some huge falling out. They didn't. They just grew in opposite directions. Rebecca Black became a "musician's musician," earning respect from the likes of Dorian Electra and 100 gecs. Jeffree Star became a mogul and a recluse on a ranch.
If you're looking for a "smoking gun" or a secret feud, you won't find it. What you will find is a fascinating look at how the internet treats its "villains" versus its "victims." Rebecca was the victim who became a hero. Jeffree was the hero who became a villain.
Moving Forward in 2026
If you're trying to keep up with where they are now, the best thing to do is look at their output. Rebecca Black's recent album Let Her Burn is a genuine masterclass in pop production. Jeffree is still doing his thing, though his influence on the mainstream beauty world has definitely waned compared to his 2019 peak.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
- Check out Rebecca Black’s 2021 "Friday" Remix: It features 3OH!3 and Big Freedia. It’s the perfect example of how she reclaimed her past without Jeffree’s help.
- Watch Rebecca’s interview on the H3 Podcast: She goes into detail about what it was like being a child star on YouTube and the "dark side" of the creators who were around back then.
- Separate the art from the drama: If you’re interested in the business side, Jeffree’s rise is still a fascinatng (if problematic) case study in brand building. But for the music, Rebecca is the one to watch.
The story of Rebecca Black and Jeffree Star is really just the story of the internet growing up. We used to love the chaos; now, we’re a lot more careful about who we give our attention to.