Ingrid Nilsen “This is Me, and the Fact that I am Gay is a Part of Me”
Courtney Accocella ‘17/ Emertainment Monthly Assistant Web Editor
“This moment is real and it’s here, and I’ve been waiting for this a long time,” says 26-year-old Ingrid Nilsen. Nilsen, better known to some as Youtube’s beauty guru missglamorazzi, just posted a new video revealing to her viewers that she is gay.
“There’s something I want you to know,” she begins nervously,”and that something is I’m gay.” Through a few tears an overwhelmingly beautiful smile appears on Nilsen’s face as she says, “It feels so good to say that.” The video is incredibly moving, it’s almost impossible not to shed a few happy tears as the relief and joy for being honest about herself is so clear.
Nilsen starts by discussing her realization of being gay, or to better put it, the fact that she did not need to realize it. “This is not something that I chose. This is something that is a part of me and has always been a part of me.” She details the first time she was ever called a lesbian as a child when, she admits, she openly stared at women. As she got older, Nilsen goes on to say, her crushes changed from being all girls to than being influenced by the opinions of those around her to end up dating men.
Nilsen goes on to explain that the choice to come out was not an easy one, revealing an upbringing in a community were “it was accepted by some, but definitely not the majority.” She touches on her previous attempts to bury her sexuality by dating men, some of whom her viewers had known about as she had been very public. Nilsen is very respectful explaining that while she cared for the men in her past, she was unable to give her full self to them and love them truly. She gives a heart warming thank you to, as she puts it, “the last man [she] will ever be with” saying tearfully, “[he] has just been so kind and respectful and supportive through all of this. And I feel really, really lucky to have somebody like that and have been with somebody like that.”
“We all deserve our best chance and it’s time for me to give myself my best chance.” Nilsen goes on to say, “I am proud of who I am and I am not going to apologize for who I am anymore.” Nor should she have to. Nilsen should take immense pride in her brave omission. While Youtubers coming out may seem common to some, it tends to often be young men who dare to sit down and share their truth.
Nilsen is among the few women to share her sexuality so publicly. She is, to current knowledge, the only beauty Youtuber to be lesbian. It’s incredible to see, in such a fem-hetero genre of the site, take a step forward in making the beauty community more open to all viewers. It is with her video that one can only hope more women on the platform feel comfortable to share their stories too.
She concludes “I will see you soon,” with a few tears still she ends “and I am so excited!” As is the rest of the Yotube community! Nilsen may have worried about the response to such an admission, but as the Youtube community always does, thousands of heartfelt responses were sent her way.
Take a look at a few from some of Nilsen’s friends and collab partners!
So so so so so so so so so so so proud of you @ingridnilsen! I love you more than the whole world ❤️🙌🏼 https://t.co/OytUHRhxcf
— Catrific (@catrific) June 9, 2015
Congratulations, @ingridnilsen. And the world has become a better, brighter and braver place for having you in it… https://t.co/tLoRHYZcR4
— Hannah Hart (@harto) June 9, 2015
so proud of @ingridnilsen, my heart could explode ❤️ here’s to a future where NO ONE ever feels like they can’t be true to themselves 💋
— ☼ Kalel Kitten ☼ (@KalelKitten) June 9, 2015
Couldn’t me more happy and proud of my beautiful friend @ingridnilsen love you so much! http://t.co/O77cBSiEC0
— Joey Graceffa (@JoeyGraceffa) June 9, 2015
@ingridnilsen all the love headed your way girl. 🙌🏼💗💕
— Jenna Mourey/Marbles (@Jenna_Marbles) June 9, 2015
Big ❤️ and 🎉 for @ingridnilsen today!
— mamrie hart (@mametown) June 9, 2015
@ingridnilsen this is such an amazing moment in your life! so happy for you for being so brave about the whole thing!
— Marcus Butler (@MarcusButler) June 9, 2015
so happy for my queen @ingridnilsen for sharing her story and truth. you’re making the world a better place! 💫 https://t.co/eR8A56Uu9A
— Tyler Oakley (@tyleroakley) June 9, 2015
You are brave beyond measure. I’m so happy for you and I hope you feel the overwhelming love and support that you deserve! @ingridnilsen
— Allie Evans (@AllieMarieEvans) June 9, 2015
What a wonderful day! @ingridnilsen you’re a wonderful human! https://t.co/n8KTPEvsbE
— Grace Helbig (@gracehelbig) June 9, 2015
ive watched this video 6 times and i cant stop. https://t.co/wSUZS6DnqF (via @ingridnilsen)
— Shane Dawson (@shanedawson) June 9, 2015
“I am giving myself my best chance,” Nilsen says. It’s touching to see this strong woman have such bravery in sharing and finally getting to live her truth. You can feel her happiness in every second of her video to finally have this moment realized. We cannot congratulate Ingrid enough!
Watch Ingrid’s full video, it’s sure to bring a smile and maybe a tear or two to your face.