Jeffree Star is facing renewed backlash after clips from a recent TikTok Live circulated online, prompting criticism from Latino creators and viewers who called the remarks offensive and out of touch.
The incident unfolded on Monday night, January 12, during a livestream featuring Star, influencer Jessica Dimon, and several guests.
At one point, a young Latino man briefly joined the live while filming from a dark room illuminated by a red light. After an exchange that ended with the guest leaving the stream, Star made a comment that quickly drew attention.
“Huh. I’m just surprised they have red lights in the deportation centers,” Star said on the live.
Later in the same broadcast, he made another remark referencing immigration enforcement, adding, “I know what Jessica’s thinking. She’s like, I’m calling ICE.”
Clips of both moments began circulating across TikTok and X, where several Latino influencers—including CheckTheStar, Miami Josh, and Ese Enrique—called out Star for joking about deportation, a topic many described as deeply personal and traumatic for immigrant communities.
Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton also addressed the livestream during a January 13 discussion, saying, “Whether you’re for or against the deportations, I don’t think this is a joking matter. I don’t find it funny.”
Dimon, who was present during the live, initially said she did not remember the comments clearly. However, by Tuesday morning, January 13, she posted an apology on her TikTok Story, writing: “I take full accountability for not speaking up, standing up, or responding as I should have. I am 100% against ICE and everything ICE is doing. I apologize to anyone I have hurt by not defending.”
As the criticism grew, Star responded in the comments section of his own TikTok. After one follower wrote that they were disappointed to support him after the jokes, Star replied, “I absolutely do not side with anyone, it was a dark humor joke on a live stream for five seconds.”
In another comment addressing the backlash, he added, “Why would I care, people can joke about whatever they want.”
The controversy arrives amid a long and complicated public history for Star, who rose to fame as a MySpace-era musician before reinventing himself as the founder of Jeffree Star Cosmetics, one of the most successful influencer-led beauty brands of the last decade.
As of this writing, Star has not issued a formal apology beyond his replies to comments.