Nikki Lilly

Nicole Lilly Christou, known professionally as Nikki Lilly, was born on July 22, 2004. At the age of six, she was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a rare condition that has necessitated numerous medical procedures and visibly altered her appearance. Originally from Enfield, London, and of Greek Cypriot and Indian descent, Lilly began her YouTube channel at the age of eight to discuss her experiences with a visible difference, bullying, mental health, baking, and beauty. Her channel has grown significantly, serving as a platform to share her life, challenges, and achievements with a broad audience. Despite undergoing nearly 100 major surgeries and over 350 visits to Great Ormond Street Hospital, she has maintained a notable public presence.

Lilly’s career progression includes significant achievements in media, modeling, and activism. She has been the subject of two CBBC documentary series, ‘My Life: Born to Vlog’ and ‘I Will Survive,’ and was the winner of the fourth series of ‘Junior Bake Off’ in 2016. In 2018, she began presenting the CBBC show ‘Nikki Lilly Meets…,’ where she interviewed figures such as tennis player Andy Murray and former Prime Minister Theresa May. Her work led to a BAFTA nomination for ‘My Life: Born to Vlog’ and an Emmy Award in 2018 for Best Factual Program. In 2019, she became the youngest recipient of a BAFTA Special Award.

Beyond her media contributions, Lilly is a dedicated activist. She co-founded The Butterfly AVM Charity with her parents to raise awareness and support research for AVM. In 2024, she became a patron of Face Equality International, an organization dedicated to promoting face equality. In March 2025, she addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council to discuss her experiences with facial differences. Her modeling career includes partnering with L’Oréal for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and walking the runway for Matières Fécales’ Spring 2026 show at Paris Fashion Week, as well as modeling for Acne Studios’ Spring 2026 show.