1. Overview
Claudia Sulewski is an American YouTuber, host, and actress. Born on February 19, 1996, in Chicago, Illinois, she began her online career in 2007 by creating videos on YouTube. Her early presence in digital media transitioned into significant hosting roles, notably for Teen Vogue. Over time, Sulewski expanded her professional endeavors into acting, making her wide-release feature film debut in the 2022 movie I Love My Dad. She has also ventured into business with a clothing line and a sustainable body care brand. Throughout her career, Sulewski has navigated the evolving landscape of digital content creation, maintaining a thoughtful approach to her public persona and personal life.
2. Early life and background
Claudia Sulewski's early life was rooted in her Polish heritage and Midwestern upbringing, which shaped her foundational years.
2.1. Birth and family
Claudia Sulewski was born on February 19, 1996, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Her parents, Beata KrupińskaPolish and Czesław SulewskiPolish, are of Polish descent. She has two brothers, Marcin and Kevin.
2.2. Upbringing and education
Sulewski was raised in Park Ridge, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She grew up in a Catholic household and attended Polish school every Saturday until the eighth grade, which included religious classes. This upbringing provided her with a strong connection to her heritage and a foundation in her formative years.
3. Career
Claudia Sulewski's career has seen a diverse evolution, beginning with digital content creation and expanding into acting and business ventures.
3.1. YouTube and early hosting activities
Sulewski began her journey in digital content creation in 2007, starting her YouTube channel in her hometown of Chicago under the name "BeyondBeautyStar." In 2014, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she transitioned into hosting roles. A year later, she became a regular host for Teen Vogue's YouTube channel, further establishing her presence in online media.
3.1.1. Content evolution and channel management
Her YouTube channel, initially known as "BeyondBeautyStar," featured a variety of content, including fashion choices, beauty routines, travel experiences, interior design projects, workout regimens, daily life vlogs, and wellness tips. Over time, she rebranded her channel and all social media accounts to her full name, 'Claudia Sulewski'. In July 2022, Sulewski made a video titled "something needs to change...", where she openly admitted that her lifestyle depicted in her vlogs no longer felt authentic to her, leading to her decision to discontinue vlogging.
3.1.2. Podcast activities
During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, Sulewski collaborated with her boyfriend, musician Finneas O'Connell, to launch a podcast titled We Bought A House. The podcast provided listeners with insights into their shared experiences. However, the podcast was eventually discontinued, with O'Connell stating that they felt they were "sharing too much" of their personal lives.
3.2. Acting career
Sulewski transitioned into acting, taking on various roles across television, web series, film, and music videos, demonstrating her versatility as a performer.
3.2.1. Television and web series roles
From 2016 to 2017, Sulewski appeared in the TV series The Commute. Concurrently, from 2016 to 2018, she held a main role as Nicki Sullivan in the web series T@gged. In 2019, she had a notable appearance as Julie in an episode of Marvel's Runaways titled "Cheat the Gallows." Other television and web series appearances include Young Hollywood (2014), Teen Vogue Youtube Host: Claudia Sulewski (2015), the TV short A Christmas Carol + Zombies (2015), Betch (2017), Embeds (2017), Hyperlinked (2017), and a main role as Skylar in Versus (2017). In 2024, she appeared as Ava in an episode of Shrinking titled "Full Grown Dude Face."
3.2.2. Film roles
Sulewski made her wide-release feature film debut in the 2022 movie I Love My Dad, where she co-starred with James Morosini, who also wrote and directed the film, and Patton Oswalt. The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 12, winning both the Jury and Audience Awards in the Narrative Film Competition. Her other film roles include Megan in Deadcon (2019) and an appearance as herself in the documentary Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry (2021).
3.2.3. Music video appearances and directing
Sulewski has appeared in several music videos, including "Are You Bored Yet?" by Wallows featuring Clairo in 2019. She has also contributed significantly behind the scenes for her partner Finneas O'Connell's music. In July 2022, she directed, filmed, and edited the music video for O'Connell's song "Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa." The video was filmed on an iPhone and a handycam in Paris, France. She also appeared in Finneas's music videos for "For Cryin' Out Loud!" and "Lotus Eater," both released in 2024.
3.3. Business ventures
Beyond her media career, Claudia Sulewski has engaged in entrepreneurial activities and brand collaborations.
3.3.1. Collaborations and brand founding
Sulewski ventured into the fashion industry through a collaboration with Nordstrom BP, creating a clothing line. For this project, she served as the social media creative director, responsible for crafting advertisements and producing her own lookbook for the launch. In October 2023, she founded Cyklar, a sustainable body care brand. In March 2024, Cyklar was acquired by The Center, a beauty incubator, further solidifying her presence in the business world.
4. Personal life
Claudia Sulewski's personal life is characterized by her long-term relationship with musician Finneas O'Connell and her deliberate approach to sharing her experiences publicly.
4.1. Relationship
Since 2018, Claudia Sulewski has been in a relationship with musician Finneas O'Connell. Their relationship has been a source of inspiration for O'Connell's music, notably in his songs "Claudia" and "Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa." Sulewski contributed to the artistic direction for both songs; she painted the cover art for "Claudia" and directed the music video for "Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa."
4.2. Public persona and content philosophy
Sulewski has been open about her philosophy regarding sharing her personal life online. In a YouTube Q&A, she addressed her decision not to feature her boyfriend's sister, singer Billie Eilish, in her videos. She explained that Eilish's immense fame means anything related to her is widely reposted, and Sulewski did not desire that level of public attention for her own channel, nor did she want her audience to expect such content. She emphasized that not every aspect of her life is filmed and shared online. Despite this, she is frequently seen in private settings with the O'Connell family, including Billie Eilish. Her reflection on the authenticity of her vlogs, which led her to discontinue them, further underscores her commitment to genuine self-representation.
5. Filmography
Claudia Sulewski's professional credits encompass a range of acting and directing roles across various media.
5.1. Television and web series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Young Hollywood | Herself | |
| 2015 | Teen Vogue Youtube Host: Claudia Sulewski | Herself | |
| 2015 | A Christmas Carol + Zombies | Scrooge | TV Short |
| 2016-2017 | The Commute | Emma | Main role |
| 2017 | Betch | Herself/Mallory | Episode: "A Claudia Sulewski Sketch Show" |
| 2017 | Embeds | Katie | Episode: "Off The Record" |
| 2017 | Hyperlinked | Phoebe | Episode: "R.I.P. Computer" |
| 2017 | Versus | Skylar | Main role |
| 2016-2018 | T@gged | Nicki Sullivan | Web series; main role |
| 2019 | Runaways | Julie | Episode: "Cheat the Gallows" |
| 2024 | Shrinking | Ava | Episode: "Full Grown Dude Face" |
5.2. Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Deadcon | Megan | |
| 2021 | Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry | Herself | Documentary |
| 2022 | I Love My Dad | Becca | Wide release feature film debut |
5.3. Music videos
| Year | Title | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | "Are You Bored Yet?" | Wallows featuring Clairo | |
| 2022 | "Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa" | FINNEAS | Also directed and edited |
| 2024 | "For Cryin' Out Loud!" | ||
| "Lotus Eater" |
6. Influence and legacy
Claudia Sulewski's career trajectory from an early digital content creator to a successful actress and entrepreneur highlights her significant impact on the evolving media landscape and her public reception.
6.1. Impact on digital content creation
As one of the early YouTube stars who began creating content in 2007, Claudia Sulewski played a role in shaping the trends and influence of digital media. Her expansion from a prominent YouTuber and host into a multifaceted career in acting and business ventures showcases the potential for digital creators to diversify their professional paths. Her journey exemplifies a successful transition from online personality to mainstream entertainment, inspiring other digital content creators to explore broader opportunities beyond traditional platforms.
6.2. Public reception and media presence
Sulewski is recognized by her fans and media for her authentic and thoughtful communication style. Her decision to discontinue vlogging due to concerns about authenticity, as well as her clear explanation for not featuring her boyfriend's famous sister, Billie Eilish, in her content, have been well-received by the public. This transparency in managing her public persona and personal boundaries has resonated with audiences, contributing to her positive image and sustained relevance in popular culture.