NAOMI JON shares everything that fascinates her heart through her art – whether that means expressing her creativity through bold makeup looks on social media or creating and performing her music. As an inspiring role model, she presents herself exactly as she chooses, free from outside expectations or pressure. She encourages her fans to explore new things, embrace change, and grow – while always staying true to themselves and their values.
Her confidence was especially evident during our shoot with MAC Cosmetics. Naomi enjoys stepping into new roles and pushing beyond her comfort zone. For this project, her makeup was created exclusively with MAC products – a brand she has trusted and used for many years as a part of the MAC community. For Naomi, MAC, standing for Make-up Art Cosmetics, is more than just makeup; it represents individuality, performance, and self-confidence.
In our interview, Naomi talks about creativity, independence, and the responsibility that comes with being in the public eye. As an independent artist, she describes leadership as taking responsibility for her own values and ideas and having the courage to follow her own path. She also shares how makeup is not a mask for her but a way to express and amplify different sides of her personality. Between music, social media, and her close relationship with her community, she offers personal insights into her growth as an artist.
SLEEK Topic: Leadership. What does leadership mean to you, and what is it like to be your own boss? Would you describe it that way in the music industry, or are you also controlled by outside forces?
Naomi Jon Leadership means taking responsibility, above all for yourself and your ideals. In my particular case as an independent artist, that also means accepting the work and the obligations that come with it. It’s above all an awareness of being able to live out my creativity without outside influence. Even if that comes with negative aspects, a lot of stress, and hard work, it’s definitely worth the price to me. Leadership also means leading the way and being a role model for what is important to you.
S Your looks are often very powerful, striking, and elaborate. When you wear makeup and immerse yourself completely in a look, do you feel like you become a different person, or does it help you express sides of yourself that are already there?
NJ I just love the versatility that a colorful wig or bold makeup can give me in such a short time! Sometimes I want to slip into different characters, like in my video for my song “Tabu”. Most days, though, I use it to enhance my personality, and that’s when I feel most comfortable! Of course, I’ve experimented a lot over the last few years (laughs). From fake freckles fails to shaving a buzz cut, I’ve gotten to know myself and my look very well and feel comfortable with many different hairstyles and makeup looks!
S Makeup is often understood as a mask. When is it the exact opposite for you?
NJ For me, makeup is more about highlighting things than masking them. Of course, it’s always great to have the option of hiding things (such as an annoying pimple). But I like to emphasize strengths and special features or create a completely new personality.
S How would you describe your most iconic makeup look and which products (MAC) do you like to use for it?
NJ It’s hard to say because I’m always trying out new looks. One combination that I always stick with is ombre lips with a brown lip liner (MAC Lipliner in Greige), red lipstick (MAC M·A·CXIMAL Silky Matte in Russian Red), and lots of gloss on top.
S Color plays a big role in your looks. What can color express for you that words cannot? And what are your favorite colors (MAC)?
NJ I love pink! And I would love to have everything in pink. I have to admit that sometimes I even buy things I already own again when I see them in pink! It has also become something of a trademark for me. Especially now in winter, when everything is dark and gray, it helps me stay in a good mood.
S Are there sides to you that only came about through the public eye?
NJ Being in the public eye hasn’t really changed me directly. But it has definitely changed my work. I used to be known as the “Queen of Chaos” (laughs), but I can’t afford to be chaotic anymore. I have to manage myself much better in order to do justice to all my projects, and I never would have thought that was in my nature before.
All Photography by OSMAN ÖZEL
S You are very close to your community: How do you deal with being a role model? (Have you had any negative experiences?)
NJ I realized early on that I could be a source of inspiration for others in my job, and I quickly became aware that this comes with a certain responsibility. I am a very principled person and think carefully about what I want to exemplify to my community. It is very important to me to encourage my community to be themselves, to try new things, but also to always stay true to their own moral compass. That’s why I am very selective when choosing my partners and would never advertise alcohol, large fast food chains, or similar products. Instead, I am happy to promote and recommend regional restaurants, for example.
S You also shoot a lot of mukbangs (food videos) on social media. For people who don’t know what mukbangs are: Can you explain it?
NJ The term is a combination of the Korean words meokneun (to eat) and bangsong (to send). Roughly translated, it means “food broadcast”. In the meantime, however, this trend has spread worldwide. I love food and being able to try different dishes. For me, it’s a great opportunity to try new things and share them with my community. I always enjoy comments on my German TikTok channel that say it quickly feels like sharing a meal together on a FaceTime call.
S On Instagram, you call yourself “Mother Broccoli”. How did that come about?
NJ My best friend Vincent used to always suggest broccoli for dinner. At some point, it became an inside joke because there was never any other answer to the question “What are you eating tonight?” (laughs). Eventually, I adapted that to the community. I’m very familiar with my broccoli – so of course it’s clear that I’m the “Mother Broccoli”!
S Your first song is called NAOMI. How did that come about, what does the song mean to you, and how is it different from your current music?
NJ I’ve fantasized about being able to make music my whole life, and I’ve always sung a lot and enjoyed it. But when it became more concrete, I naturally tried out a lot of things and often asked myself how I wanted to get started in the music industry. When we wrote “Naomi”, I quickly realized that this had to be the song I released first! Of course, you think about a lot of things and want to prove yourself. Having my name as the title somehow gave me confidence. In the meantime, I have of course developed as a musician and tried my hand at different genres – but I keep realizing: I’m a pop girl!
S Many of your songs – such as “Ugly” – are about questioning expectations and turning your own insecurities into strength. What does authenticity mean to you personally in your music, and how is that reflected in your lyrics?
NJ For me, authenticity in my music means showing exactly what I want to show. I don’t let anyone else dictate what I do, I just want to share my art! My whole heart is in it, and that’s what makes it authentic. For me, that’s a huge factor in why I’m an independent artist and don’t work with a major label.
S Your Strawberry Tour is coming up soon. What changes for you and how does it feel when a song leaves the studio and comes to life on tour in front of real people?
NJ For me, every song is reborn on stage (laughs)! It’s just a whole new feeling to perform in front of real people. When I got to play my song “ASMR” in a club for the first time and saw how people were going wild and the whole room was vibrating with the bass, it really brought the song to life. For me, that’s a very special feeling.
S What do you want people to feel or think after one of your concerts?
NJ I love surprising people and always showing them something new! It’s very important to me that there’s something to talk about after every show and that everyone leaves the concert with a feeling – preferably a good one, of course! (laughs) My goal is always to give people something to talk about: something unexpected or particularly funny, for example! As you know, I love to talk, and I do that on stage too. I love interacting with my fans and want my concerts to feel like a huge family party.
S What is your absolute must-have on the rider to make you feel comfortable before a show?
NJ My must-have is definitely bananas! (laughs) I can hardly eat anything on show days, but of course I need a lot of energy for performing. So I always tell myself: bananas are my elixir of life! Fun fact: I don’t eat them at all in my everyday life (laughs). Now I always get nervous when I see one because I feel like I have to go on stage right away.
Creative Production ANTONIA DIPNER, NINA MARIA DAHMS, JOHANNA ERDL
Photography Assistant JAY ZOO
Styling ELENA VASSILIU & SERNTAR CHINT
Makeup ANGELO RAUSEO Hair SOH
1. Look:
Shirt WORKING TITLE
Blazer MARELLA
Pants MAX&CO. X SAMI MIRO
Coat NAMILIA
Shoes DIESEL
Lip Pencil STONE
Powder Kiss Hazy Matte
Lipstick READY TO MINGLE!
2. Look:
Shirt MAX&CO. X SAMI MIRO
Blazer DRESSLER
Coat DIESEL
Skirt PAVLINA JAUSS
Shoes DIESEL
Lip Pencil ROOT FOR ME
Powder Kiss Lip & Cheek Mousse MAC SMASH
3. Look:
Shirt and Jacket ISSEY MIYAKE
Shoes MAX&CO.
Tights FALKE
Powder Kiss Hazy Matte Lipstick TURN TO THE LEFT
Lipgloss CLEAR
4. Look:
Shirt (red) MAX&CO.
Shirt (white) WORKING TITLE
Trenchcoat MARKE
Shoes AGL
Tights FALKE
Gloves MAX&CO.
Jewellery GLAMBOU
Lip Pencil GREIGE
Powder Kiss Hazy
Matte Lipstick TAKEN