Akon is shedding new light on his early connection to beauty mogul Jeffree Star and the rise of Jeffree Star Cosmetics.
In recent interviews and resurfaced clips, Akon described how his involvement with Star began long before the cosmetics brand became a global name. The singer said he recognized Star’s potential during his early music career and helped bring him into the industry.
“A lot of people don’t know, I actually signed Jeffree early on,” Akon said in a past interview. “He was one of the first artists I believed in.”
Early Industry Ties
Akon’s record label, Convict Music, worked with Star during the late 2000s. At the time, Star was building a following through music and online platforms. Akon described the artist as unique and ahead of his time.
“I saw him as a male version of Lady Gaga,” Akon said.
While the partnership focused on music, Akon said he noticed something else gaining traction. Star’s online presence, particularly in beauty and makeup content, began to outpace his music career.
According to Akon, that shift marked a turning point. He said he realized Star’s influence extended beyond entertainment and into business.
“I started noticing the makeup videos were getting more attention than the music,” Akon said in another interview clip.
From Music to Makeup Empire
Star eventually stepped away from music to focus fully on cosmetics. He launched Jeffree Star Cosmetics in 2014 with a small collection of liquid lipsticks.
The brand quickly expanded into a wide range of products, including palettes, powders and highlighters. It gained a strong following through social media marketing and influencer culture.
Akon said his early business experience with Star helped shape his understanding of branding and audience engagement. He described Star’s success as a case study in recognizing market trends.
“He understood where the attention was going and moved with it,” Akon said.
Industry analysts note that celebrity-backed beauty brands have grown significantly in recent years. Star’s company is often cited as an early example of influencer-driven success in cosmetics.
Despite controversies surrounding the brand and its founder, its impact on the beauty industry remains significant. Star built the company into a major player after leaving music behind.
Akon said he takes pride in having supported Star at the beginning of his journey.
“When you see someone evolve like that, it’s powerful,” he said. “It shows what vision can do.”