Influencer defends going seven years without shaving following harsh criticism
'Hair on a woman's body is normal'
An influencer has clapped back at criticism over not shaving her legs for seven years, and explained the reasoning behind why she’s gone so long without shaving.
Bekah Martinez rose to fame during the 2018 season of The Bachelor, and posted her response to the backlash alongside a picture of her legs.
She shared a message from another woman, who told her: “Your face doesn’t jive with your hairy legs.”
The lady then said that Bekah’s fiancé, Grayston Leonard must be “grossed out” by her decision not to shave.
Bekah explained that it’s her choice to not shave, and wants to teach her children that “hair on a woman is normal” and not “shameful” or “gross.”
She wrote: “I started sneaking my mom’s razors in 3rd grade. I remember praying to God that he’d remove all my hair from the neck down.
“Family, friends, and even teachers and coaches would gently tease when any of my jet black leg stubble was growing out. It was seemingly harmless but continued to reinforce that my body’s hair was wrong.”
She continued: “I stopped shaving when I was pregnant with my first child. I wanted my daughter (and my future sons) to see that hair on a woman’s body is normal. Not shameful. Not gross.
“I wanted to demonstrate that body hair is not masculine. Because I am a woman. And so my body hair is feminine.”
It wasn’t just for my kids. It was for me. I wanted to consciously work through the disgust I had in my natural body. I still don’t love my body hair.
“And in certain settings, I feel people’s stares and feel embarrassed. But the feeling has so much less power over me than it used to.
The influencer finished: “And when Ruth points and says, ‘Mom, my legs look like yours,’ without an ounce of shame, it is all worth it.”
For all the latest reality TV cast member news, scandals, gossip and updates – like Reality Shrine on Facebook.