Georgia Toffolo has spoken out about the abuse she has faced because of her skin, revealing how online trolls called her “pizza face”.
The former Made in Chelseastar made the comments as part of an anti-bullying campaign she is fronting dubbed #BlendOutBullying.
Speaking to Glamour magazine, who launched the campaign along with The Diana Award, an anti-bullying organisation set up in memory of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, the 24-year-old explained she’s suffered with dermatological issues for more than a decade.
“When I was on Made in Chelsea, I massively hid my skin problems from the world,” Toffolo said, adding that she had to "bare all" when she was on ITV's I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, which she won in 2017.
She recalled receiving scathing criticism online and in the press with regards to her skin over the years.
“Online trolls were saying no one would want to date me due to my bad skin, and even more annoyingly, they would say why doesn’t she get her skin sorted out.
"Don’t you think that’s what I’ve wanted to do? If it were that easy, I would have sorted out.”
Toffolo went on to explain how celebrities are perceived as bastions of perfection by the public, and how the pressure made her feel like even worse about her skin.
Now, however, she said that while her “journey” with her skin is still ongoing, she has found a way to deal with online bullies.
“My perspective has changed,” Toffolo told the publication.
“I’ve realised you don’t gain validation from other people just because you have perfect skin or hair, it comes from the inside and I feel brighter and happier since I made peace with, and begun to accept, my spots.”
She added that while she still wears makeup, she no longer hides behind excess amounts of foundation or “endless filters” on social media.
“If only I could have told myself to accept my skin 10 years ago,” she concluded.
