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Who is Nikita Dragun? Here's why Internet is slamming YouTuber for controversial race tweet: ‘Stop blackfishing’

The YouTuber, who claims to be of mixed race, posted some tweets on October 3 that irked many on the Internet because they felt she was gaining attention by using racism and blackfishing

Popular YouTuber, makeup artist and model Nikita Dragun has been attacked by an army of trolls over alleged blackfishing and racism.The YouTuber, who claims to be of mixed race, posted some tweets on October 3 that irked many on the Internet. People felt she was gaining attention by being unnecessarily funny over sensitive issues like racism. She was also accused of blackfishing. 

Dragun, who has 1.9 million followers on Twitter, wrote on the microblogging site, "What race is Nikita gonna be today?" In another tweet following this she wrote on her vexation and being slammed by trollers, "I know it's a joke to comment on my race but I'm really tired of having to defend myself on every post. 'She's Hispanic today' I'm Hispanic everyday. My mom is Mexican. My dad is Asian. I'm mixed. the end. Bye."

In the third tweet she wrote on her background and race and how she is proud of that, "Growing up mixed I was never enough or fully accepted. I don't have to pick a side. I am not incomplete of my races. I do not lack anything. I am proud of ALL of me."

No sooner did she post these tweets, she was slammed by the Internet for blackfishing and wearing different shades of color through makeup. Blackfishing alludes to catfish — it refers to someone who uses hairstyling and makeup to build and enhance certain features to make it appear as if they have black heritage or are racially ambiguous.

People on the Internet brought up screen grabs of her images from her Instagram where she has posted several pictures posing in various shades that range from fair to coloured.

In one of her pictures on Instagram that she posted on September 13, she is seen sitting on stairs with pink hair and a white mini dress. In that photo, she reflected a darker skin tone. In another picture that she posted on September 21, she is seen wearing a lighter skin color as she posted a close up of her face with makeup. Previously, too Nikita’s Instagram has many pictures that show her in various skin shades. 

It is the Instagram photos along with the recent tweets that the Internet found offensive despite her expressing that she is vexed by such attacks on her race. A user wrote, slamming her, "Then stop blackfishing then. The filters you use. Not cute."

Another wrote on her varied skin shades, "How you jump through all these shades and expect people to not call you out." One wrote ridiculing her on her tweets, "I promise that no one is laughing with you." Another concurred, "You thought we were gonna, laugh?"

A user wrote on blackfishing, “So you  acknowledge that you do blackface and still thought it was okay for you to tweet this as a joke ? seek help." A user felt she tries to grab attention over such issues, "No wonder things were silent. You weren't around to start drama. Tweeting something racist just to stay relevant, Pfft."

Another wrote in a concerned way, "People call you out for black fishing and you turn it into a joke? i’ve stood with you through most of your bullshit because you’ve always been so good to me... but this isn’t okay ?"

Who is Nikita Dragun

Nikita Dragun is a Belgian-born American YouTuber, make-up mogul and model. She was born in 1996 and grew up in Virginia, according to Your Tango. When Nikita Dragun was in preschool she realized she was different and identified herself as a transgender, according to Forbes. She told Forbes: "I never wanted to nap. I was always mature for my age. I wanted to put on a dress and look cute. Everyone else can nap, but I’m going to be a princess over here!"

She continued, "But one day a teacher came over and asked why I was dressing up like this and then she called my parents." After that incident, she shut down and stopped wearing dresses and acting "like a girl." She said, "I knew I was different and there were certain things that I couldn't show or I'd be bullied or teased," according to a report by Your Tango. 

She added on her trans identity, "I was just the most feminine gay guy out there, so I would dress in tight jeans, lashes, a little purse, etc. People just accepted me. But it wasn’t until college that I really started to develop my trans identity." Your Tango reported on Nikitas transformation from a man to a woman and her openness.

"I started being honest and documented my journey. It was really out of frustration. I wanted to transition, and I had all these questions, and couldn’t find answers anywhere online. I think it’s important to educate. This year I want to show more," Nikita said as quoted in Your Tango.

Nikita's personal website describes her as "unapologetic and unafraid of being her most authentic self." She kicked off her YouTube Channel in 2013 that today boasts of more than three million subscribers. Elle reported that Dragun has let viewers see her experiments with lipstick and recover from her surgeries though her YouTube videos and has got positive response from viewers.

Dragun has always dealt with negativity due to her identity. She told Elle, "I survived high school in Virginia, so the internet is no match. I've heard it all. It's really my friends and family that are most affected by the (trolls). They're like, 'I can’t believe someone would say that on your page!' But I feel like I put everything out there in the open. No one can say anything (that affects me) because I’ve already put it all out there. I made that choice."

This time too, Dragun has been open about her views on Twitter about her identity and race but still got lambasted.Today she is not just a successful makeup artist and model but is also the founder of Dragun Beauty. The beauty brand claims to be inspired by Dragun's own story of growth, glamour and groundedness.