When you hear the name Jeffree Star, you probably think of bold makeup looks, headline-making beauty launches, and a personality that has never been afraid to push every boundary in the beauty world. But behind the iconic pink hair, dramatic eyeshadow palettes, and the glittering life of a self-made mogul, there’s a woman whose story is just as striking — Marra Shubyann Lindstrom Steininger.
While Marra’s name may not be splashed across magazine covers or trending on YouTube, her influence on Jeffree’s life and career runs deep. She’s the mom whose makeup bag first sparked his fascination with beauty, the woman whose resilience shaped his unrelenting hustle, and the parent who, despite battles of her own, helped mold one of the most talked-about figures in modern beauty.
So who is Marra Shubyann Lindstrom Steininger? Let’s pull back the curtain on her life, her struggles, her bond with Jeffree, and the quiet strength that helped build an empire — even when the road wasn’t picture-perfect.
Early Life: A Dreamer in California
Born on August 27, 1962, Marra Shubyann Lindstrom Steininger grew up far from the Hollywood sets and luxury brand deals that would later swirl around her son. She was raised in a small California town, where life wasn’t exactly easy. Money was tight, opportunities were few, and like so many young women of her generation, she had to learn early on how to stand her ground.
Marra’s path wasn’t meant to stay small-town forever. After finishing high school, she packed up her dreams and headed to Los Angeles — a place that, for decades, has been the epicenter for hopefuls chasing modeling and entertainment careers.
And for a while, that dream was real. She landed modeling gigs, appeared in magazines, and saw glimpses of the glamorous life that drew so many to LA. But life had other plans for her — and motherhood soon became the new center of her world.
A Young Mother: Choosing Family Over Fame
On November 15, 1985, Marra gave birth to her son, Jeffrey Lynn Steininger Jr., who the world now knows as Jeffree Star. Tragically, Jeffree’s father, Jeffrey Lynn Steininger Sr., passed away in 1991, leaving Marra to navigate the challenges of raising Jeffree as a single mom.
Trading in photo shoots for diaper changes and the day-to-day grit of motherhood, she stepped away from modeling to pour her energy into her son. Those early years were far from easy. Money was often tight, and the dream of stability sometimes felt out of reach. But Marra’s determination to keep a roof over Jeffree’s head and food on the table speaks volumes about the sacrifices many mothers make without headlines or applause.
The Early Spark: A Makeup Bag That Changed Everything
If you know Jeffree Star’s story, you know he often talks about the first time he cracked open his mom’s makeup stash. For young Jeffree, that bag wasn’t just full of powders and lipsticks — it was a treasure chest, a window into a world of color, transformation, and self-expression.
In interviews, Jeffree has shared how Marra’s makeup collection inspired him to experiment. He’d sneak into her room, swipe on eyeshadow, dab on blush, and dream of the day when he could use beauty to say, “This is me.”
It’s a simple, everyday moment — a kid playing with his mom’s makeup — but for Jeffree, it planted the seed for what would grow into a billion-dollar beauty brand. It also showed him something even bigger: that identity is something you create for yourself.
Challenges That Tested Their Bond
Every family has its storms, and for Marra and Jeffree, the years ahead brought more than a few. After Jeffree’s father died, Marra faced the full weight of single parenthood. Along the way, she dealt with personal battles that included periods of alcoholism and homelessness — struggles that Jeffree has spoken about publicly with raw honesty.
For years, mother and son drifted apart. Some reports say they lost contact for nearly a decade. Jeffree would later describe those years as painful and confusing. But even through the distance, he never lost sight of the woman who’d raised him on grit and eyeliner. He knew that somewhere underneath the chaos, she was still his mom — the one who taught him to be fearless and unapologetic.
Finding Their Way Back to Each Other
Their reunion wasn’t a viral video or dramatic red carpet moment. It was something much more real: a conversation, a reconnection, a step toward forgiveness. Jeffree reached out, and Marra responded. And slowly, the wounds of those missing years began to heal.
Today, their bond is stronger than ever. Jeffree has opened up about how much it means to have his mom close again. He’s shared glimpses of their life together in Wyoming, where they now live next door to each other. In his posts, you’ll find snapshots of everyday moments: Marra smiling in the kitchen, Jeffree writing about how seeing his mom happy makes him feel whole again.
One simple tweet of Jeffree’s says it all: “Waking up today and seeing my mom smile for the first time in a week made my whole entire day better.” That’s the kind of love that no scandal, no fortune, no fame can replace.
Marra’s Ongoing Influence on Jeffree Star
If you look at Jeffree Star’s career, you see a man who built an empire by refusing to fit into anyone else’s box. That courage didn’t come from nowhere. It came from a mother who, despite her struggles, showed him how to stand firm in a world that can be quick to judge.
When Jeffree talks about coming to terms with his sexuality, he often mentions how Marra created a safe space for him to explore who he was — no shame, no judgment, just acceptance. That foundation made him bold enough to take risks in the beauty industry, to be the loudest and brightest when everyone else tried to tone him down.
Her influence lives on in every eyeshadow palette, every bold campaign, every time Jeffree steps out and says, “This is who I am, take it or leave it.”
An Unseen Legacy
You won’t find Marra doing press tours or product launches. You won’t see her posting about sponsorships or filming tutorials. Her legacy isn’t about followers or fame. It’s about resilience — the kind that gets you through the darkest times and brings you back to the people you love.
It’s about the millions of young kids like Jeffree who peeked into their mom’s makeup bag and found freedom there. And it’s about the mothers who, even when they fall, get back up and show their children that there’s always a second chance.
Final Thoughts: The Story Behind the Star
Marra Shubyann Lindstrom Steininger’s story proves that behind every headline-making icon, there’s often someone quietly cheering them on, even from the sidelines. Her life reminds us that success isn’t just about the spotlight — it’s about the love, mistakes, forgiveness, and second chances that happen off camera.
When you see Jeffree Star living loud and unapologetic, remember that behind that sparkle is a mother’s love — complicated, tested, but strong enough to weather any storm.