14 – AND LIVING LIFE ON CAMERA
Schoolboy make-up expert has own TV show
LIFE for this 14-year-old school boy from Cardiff is far from the norm. Reuben De Maid’s world turned upside-down two years ago when he appeared on The Ellen Show, where he was surprised by his idol Kim Kardashian.
Now the make-up mogul has had his self-proclaimed “Beyonce moment”, and entered 2020 with his own TV show, all about Being Reuben.
“I am not the norm, let’s face it, I am a 14-year-old boy who wears make-up.
“Fifty percent of my life is just being at home with my family and friends, the other half, I’m flying out to New York, LA, shooting make-up campaigns,” admits the teen.
Being Reuben follows Reuben’s life with his mum Vicky, 12-year-old sister Coco, brother Sonny and their Bampa Michael.
The series shows Reuben’s life as he jets off to places like LA and New York working with brands in the make-up industry.
Reuben crafted his career as a make-up influencer at just 12 years old and is considered a break-out star for male make-up.
“It was something that was super natural and organic. I just started doing make-up just for fun. Now I have a full career shooting campaigns and YouTube videos. I do make-up in my mum’s salon too.”
Reuben regularly shares tips with fans on YouTube and Instagram, where he has more than 500,000 followers combined.
“My Instagram comments section is like one big WhatsApp group,” he joked, adding that he met some of his closest friends who live in America online.
His most “pinch yourself” moment remains, of course, that meeting with Kim Kardashian.
Reuben’s long-term goal is to work as a TV presenter, adding he would love to feature on This Morning’s make-up segment.
“I went on there before and I loved it, it would be an absolute dream.
“For now it is all about focusing on my make-up career, but in the long term I want to do more TV and presenting.”
Reuben’s mum Vicky admitted that at first, she was sceptical of Reuben’s online presence.
“He has always said I am going to be famous, and I do worry, but you have just got to stand by what you think as a parent.”
Vicky added that the show was a great opportunity to have all the family involved in something together, with Reuben adding that his Bampa has been a hit with the ladies since its first airing.
Reuben has one message for young boys who are wary of following in his make-up footsteps: “Don’t let someone tell you not to do something, whether you wear it publicly or privately, do it for yourself.”
Being Reuben airs from
8pm on Mondays exclusively on Quest Red and dplay.