Well, it seems one of the Netherlands' brightest stars is officially heading across the channel for a major new gig. Nikkie de Jager, known to millions as NikkieTutorials, will be the new host of the BBC’s much-loved makeup competition, Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-up Star.
She’s picking up the presenter's brush from model Leomie Anderson, who has hosted the last three seasons. Nikkie will join the show for its eighth series, which is set to start filming soon and will land on our screens in 2027. We'll also see the return of the show's brilliant and formidable judges, Val Garland and Dominic Skinner, so the original dynamic we love is still in place.
A Natural Next Step
For those of us who watched her host the Dutch version, Glow Up: De Next Make-Up Star, this move feels like a well-deserved promotion. Nikkie has also appeared as a guest judge on the UK show, so she's no stranger to the studio. It's fantastic to see a Dutch, openly trans creative talent take the lead on such a significant international platform.
Glow Up has earned a solid reputation within the queer community for its genuinely inclusive and celebratory atmosphere. It consistently features a diverse lineup of aspiring makeup artists, and it was one of the first shows of its kind to normalise displaying contestants' pronouns on screen. It’s a space where creativity and identity are championed, which makes Nikkie a perfect fit.
Speaking about the new role, Nikkie said she's been a fan for a while. "I’ve been lucky enough to pop into the Glow Up studio as a guest judge for quite a few seasons now… but this time I’m staying!" she shared. "Make-up has been my entire world for as long as I can remember, so getting to be part of the Glow Up family in this whole new way really is a dream come true.”
Passing the Torch
Leomie Anderson shared a warm message about her departure, stating she was ready to hand "the make-up brushes over to someone new." She reflected on her time on the show, saying, "My Glow Up journey has been amazing, I have gotten to watch some incredibly talented MUAs express themselves, push themselves and grow from shy creatives to full on professional make-up artists."
With Nikkie at the helm, we're looking forward to seeing how her unique blend of technical skill, warmth, and humour shapes the next chapter of the show. It’s a big moment for Dutch representation on the world stage, and we'll definitely be tuning in.
