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NikkieTutorials opens up about blackmailer who tried to "destroy" her life on Ellen
22 January 2020, 17:10
NikkieTutorials appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show to talk about coming out as trans and the response she's received.
NikkieTutorials has spoken to Ellen DeGeneres about being blackmailed, coming out as trans and getting support from fans.
Last week (Jan 13), YouTuber Nikkie de Jager came out as trans in a video titled: 'I'm Coming Out'. She said: "I can't believe I'm saying this today to all of you for the entire world to see but damn it feels good to finally do it. When I was younger I was born in the wrong body, which means that I am transgender." She added: "Today is the day I am free. I get to be me finally."
READ MORE: Jeffree Star and NikkieTutorials nominated for YouTuber of the Year at Shorty Awards
Nikkie also explained that she had been blackmailed into coming out. She revealed that someone had threatened to leak her story to the press and she posted the video to "take back her power". Now, Nikkie has opened up more about it on Ellen.
Talking to Ellen about the blackmail, Nikkie said: "Well a couple of weeks ago I got emails from a certain person and he was not okay with the fact that I was "lying" and wanted to expose that... he had a very pressuring tone of voice and he was like "If we don't get an answer by tomorrow, it's out." She went on: "I feel like his entire goal with this was to destroy my life."
Discussing the support, Nikkie continued: "It's been unreal. I remember uploading the video and I was like "Oh I can't do it" and my fiancé Dylan was like "You can do it." He really pushed me to post it and he was like "You're gonna be okay, you're gonna do this." Then people were like "we accept you" and I was so happy that it was 2020 and the acceptance is real."
Speaking about her mum, Nikkie divulged: "My mum is a queen. Even when we went to the hospital to see what was going on doctors were like "Don't push it too far. Let's see where it goes." When I got home I was like "Mum I really want to wear girl clothes" and she was like "if you want to wear girl clothes you're gonna wear them.""
Ellen Sits Down with Influential YouTuber Nikkie de Jager
Ellen also asked Nikkie if she would have come out if she were never blackmailed and she replied: "I always wanted to come out but it's such a delicate thing. There's never a perfect timing. So in a way, because I'm not grateful to the person who did this, I am thankful that it happened now and now I get to be free."
