Lizzie Velasquez

The incredibly brave and inspirational Elizabeth “Lizzie” Velasquez is a motivational speaker, activist, author, and YouTuber. She was born with Marfanoid-progeroid-lipodystrophy syndrome, a rare congenital disease that, among other symptoms, prevents her from accumulating body fat and gaining weight. Her condition resulted in constant bullying during her childhood, and throughout her teenage years she faced cyberbullying, which ultimately inspired her to take up motivational speaking.

Ever since she was dubbed the “World’s Ugliest Woman” in a video posted on YouTube in 2006, when she was 17, Velásquez has spoken out against bullying. She attended the Texas State University to study Communications and after graduating began to forge a career in publishing and through social media, through which she helps others to stand up to bullying. Her first book, co-written with her mother, Rita, Lizzie Beautiful: The Lizzie Velásquez Story, was published in 2010. She then published two books directed at kids, in which she shares personal stories and offers advice: 2012’s Be Beautiful, Be You, and 2014’s Choosing Happiness. In 2017 she published Dare to be Kind, which talks about the importance of being kind, gleaned from her first-hand experience of being bullied personally and online. In 2015 her story was told on film in the documentary A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velásquez Story, and in the 2017 series Unzipped.

Velásquez regularly connects with her millions of followers and fans through Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, posting pictures and videos about her inspirational life. She is also available for that personalised shout-out via the Cameo platform, and has a dedicated YouTube channel, Lizzie Velasquez.