An albino woman who was taunted because of her skin has defied negative comments from people who believed she was ‘cursed’ by becoming a model.
Christelle Mengue, 29, was born in Cameroon, Africa but raised in Paris, France as her family decided it was best for her safety to live with family in Paris as people believed she was ‘cursed’ by a witch.
But the big move didn’t make it any easier for Christelle – she says she felt rejected by the black and white community.
She spent her teenage years dying her hair and wearing dark make-up to mask her white skin.
Now, the young woman acts as an advocate for others with albinism and embraces her skin, and is sharing her story for the first time to promote self-acceptance.
Christelle Mengue (pictured), 29, who was born in Cameroon, Africa but raised in Paris, has told how she defied the bullies who taunted her for her albinism – by becoming a model
The young woman, who has six brothers, is the only one in her family with albinism. Pictured right, with one of her siblings (left)
Christelle (pictured), who now lives in Sutton, Surrey, said medics thought she was disabled because of the condition because of the lack of melanin
Christelle, who lives in Sutton, Surrey said: ‘When I was younger, I knew I was different, but I had no idea why – even when I grew up in a white community in France, I didn’t feel accepted.
‘I have six brothers, but I am the only one with albinism – perhaps one of my ancestors has it.
‘In Cameroon, my family accepted me but the other people in my country thought I was cursed.
‘Medics said I was disabled because of my condition because of the lack of melanin.
‘My parents decided it would be best for me to live with my family in France, so I moved for a better life when I was five-years-old.
Christelle was raised in France as her family decided it was best for her safety as people from her hometown believed she was cursed by a witch. Pictured as a baby with her siblings
The model says the move didn’t make it any easier for her as she still felt rejected by the black and white community. Pictured, as a baby
Christelle told how the bullying got harder as she hit her teens – especially when other girls started getting boyfriends. Pictured, as a baby
‘Throughout my time at school, I was constantly taunted because of my skin, the kids would say I call me ugly, weird or a ghost.
‘It got harder when I grew into my teens as the other girls started getting boyfriends and I was always the odd one out.
She continued: ‘I started dying my hair darker and wearing weaves along with putting dark foundation on so I would be accepted as a mixed-race girl.
‘I suffered with low self-esteem and had no confidence, but I eventually got sick of hiding – my hair was damaged from the dye and the makeup wasn’t my shade.’
At 19-years-old, Christelle was scouted by a French modelling agency and her whole outlook on albinism started to change over time.
Christelle told how she spent her teenage years dying her hair and wearing dark make-up in a bid to try and mask her white skin (pictured)
The 29-year-old (pictured) explained how at school, she was constantly taunted because of her skin and was called everything from ‘ugly, weird or a ghost’
‘I grew up without a role model and I never seen anyone like me on TV or in a magazine,’ she said.
‘I had no idea what albinism even was so I took matters into my own hands and began researching and realised I am not the only one. People had very low knowledge of that condition.
‘I was just starting doing research about my identity. It wasn’t till I was 23-years-old that I was fully able to define myself as an albino and explain that condition to others.
‘It doesn’t affect my brain and I am just like anyone else.
‘For my first shoot, I looked back at the photos and realised I didn’t look that bad on photos and began to embrace my skin.
Christelle (pictured) suffered with low self-esteem and had no confidence, but eventually got sick of hiding – and now embraces her albinism
The young woman is now signed with Models of Diversity – who campaign for greater diversity of modelling talent on the catwalk. Pictured, with a sibling
Now ten years on, Christelle is signed with Models of Diversity – who campaign for greater diversity of modelling talent on the catwalk – and she features in their 2020 calendar.
She continued: ‘I used to say I was a light skin mixed race girl but now I couldn’t be prouder of who I am.
‘I want more people like me to step out of their comfort zones and become role models for others with albinism.
‘I am sharing my story to promote diversity – I hope other people see the calendar and realise anything is possible.’
You can purchase a calendar here: https://modelsofdiversity.org/content/Models-of-Diversity-Charity-Calendar-2020
At 19-years-old, Christelle (pictured) was scouted by a French modelling agency and her whole outlook on albinism started to change over time
Christelle even features in Models of Diversity’s 2020 calendar. Pictured, since embracing her look
Speaking of her albinism, Christelle (pictured) said: ‘I used to say I was a light skin mixed race girl but now I couldn’t be prouder of who I am’