Bel Priestley
Born (2003-05-13) 13 May 2003
London, England
EducationFashion Retail Academy
Occupation(s)Actress, YouTuber, TikToker
Years active2022-present

Bel Priestley (born 13 May 2003) is an English actress and internet personality. She began her career on the social media platforms YouTube and TikTok, where she documented her gender transition after coming out as a transgender woman. By 2023, she amassed over 1.5 million followers on TikTok. Priestly joined the cast of the second season of the British coming-of-age romantic comedy drama television series Heartstopper as the character Naomi Russell. In 2023, she appeared on the covers of Brick Magazine and Attitude.

Early life and education

Priestley began studying musical theatre and dance when she was six years old.[1] She came out as transgender and began her gender transition when she was thirteen years old.[2] She cited the British model Munroe Bergdorf as one of her inspirations for coming out.[2]

She studied fashion in college and attended the Fashion Retail Academy for one week before dropping out.[1] She worked as a cleaner before beginning her entertainment career.[3][4]

Career

Priestley began her career on the social media platforms YouTube and TikTok, where she documented her gender transition and made makeup and beauty videos.[1][5] By the time she was nineteen years old, she amassed a TikTok following of over 1.5 million people.[1][2] She was one of the first openly transgender British women creators on TikTok.[6] On Instagram, she had over 130,000 followers by 2023.[7][8] On YouTube, she garnerd 43,000 followers.[8]

In November 2022, Netflix announced that Priestley would play the role of Naomi Russell in the second season of the British coming-of-age romantic comedy drama series Heartstopper.[9][10] The second season aired on 3 August 2023.[3] She was the second transgender woman to appear in the show, following her co-star Yasmin Finney who plays Elle Argent.[2][8]

She is signed with Margravine Management.[11]

In March 2023, Priestly partnered with ASOS and appeared on their Out & Out series for Transgender Day of Visibility.[12] In April of that same year, she joined the Paramount audience-led initiative Generation Change, focused on empowering women.[13]

She was featured on the cover, and in an editorial, of Bricks Magazine in June 2023.[1][14] She also appeared on the cover, alongside her Heartstopper co-star Ash Self, of Attitude.[15]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2023–present Heartstopper Naomi Russell Recurring role

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Bel Priestley is a Star on the Rise - BRICKS Magazine". 16 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-07-29. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Bel Priestley: 'It's the first time two trans girls have come together on a UK show'". 4 August 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-08-07. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  3. 1 2 "How trans TikTok star Bel Priestley 'manifested' her role in Heartstopper season 2". 4 August 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  4. ↑ "Bel Priestley: All I want for Christmas is… quality time with my mum". 23 December 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-12-30. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  5. ↑ "Bel Priestley on Pride Month, Self Love and Acceptance". Archived from the original on 2023-08-13. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  6. ↑ "(321) PART 2: Bel Priestley - from TikTok sensation to Heartstopper star | Private Parts". June 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-08-13. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  7. ↑ "Instagram".
  8. 1 2 3 "TikTok star Bel Priestley teases her role in Heartstopper season two". 16 February 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-08-04. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  9. ↑ "Heartstopper announces new cast details ahead of season 2". 4 November 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-02-20. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  10. ↑ "Heartstopper: Bel Priestley opens up about her new role in season 2". 20 February 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  11. ↑ "Margravine – Bel Priestley". Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  12. ↑ "Get Ready with Heartstopper's Bel Priestley in 'Out & Out' Episode 6! | ASOS". Archived from the original on 2023-08-13. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  13. ↑ "Generation Change's Hands off Presents: Bel Priestley". Archived from the original on 2023-07-14. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  14. ↑ "Bel Priestley on TikTok, Her Dream Role and Heartstopper Season 2 | BRICKS I Did That Podcast". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2023-08-13. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  15. ↑ "Heartstopper: Bel Priestley and Ash Self cover new issue of Attitude - in second of five covers dedicated to the show". 8 August 2023. Archived from the original on 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
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