Celebrity makeup artist Philip Mureithi, better known as Creative Phill, has publicly clarified that he is not gay, despite widespread speculation. Phill, who has gained recognition for his bold and confident approach to wearing makeup, has often been associated with the LGBTQIA+ community due to his appearance and work. However, in a recent interview, he firmly stated, “It’s not true. I am not gay.”
Phill has built a strong following on social media for his creative makeup content, often using himself as the subject. His comfort in wearing makeup in public has led to assumptions about his sexuality, but Phill says he enjoys the confusion. “I feel very comfortable, brave, and confident with it. Whatever people want to think of me is up to them. I won’t stop them from judging me, but they could be wrong,” he shared. Phill added that he now embraces the attention, saying, “I enjoy the confusion and flow with it.”
The Mombasa-born makeup artist first discovered his passion during a video shoot for rapper King Kaka, where he saw the artist getting makeup done before going on set. Intrigued, and motivated by the earnings the makeup artist received, Phill decided to pursue makeup artistry. After training with renowned MUA Makeup by Rose and opening a studio with actress Dorea Chege, Phill began his journey.
However, his rise in the industry came with challenges. When Phill posted his first video wearing makeup, he became the target of online abuse, with many calling him gay. The backlash, particularly from Tanzania, led to a period of depression, forcing him to step away from the makeup business for four months. During this time, he got a tattoo of a woman screaming in pain to symbolize the bullying he endured.
Despite the challenges, Phill’s love for makeup never wavered. He credits his parents’ support for helping him return to the industry. “Even while I was depressed, I still loved makeup. My parents saw me on TV with makeup and decided to support me despite what others said. That gave me the confidence to keep going,” he explained. Today, Creative Phill is back in the industry, continuing to pursue his passion with renewed confidence.
