The "Ugliest Woman in the World" Shares What Makes Her Feel Beautiful (VIDEO)

The comment section on Instagram or the Reply "hole" on Facebook can be pretty rough places for anyone's own self-esteem. Because commenters generally suck. (Sorry, too much?) But one woman, Lizzie Velásquez, had to learn to redefine what beauty meant to her—just because of one video and the comments Internet trolls left beneath it. Because why would any kind, normal 17-year-old be able to post a YouTube video and not get called the "Ugliest Woman in the World", right? (NO. NOT RIGHT.)

Needless to say, Velásquez couldn't pull her teenage self from the comments section and read through them—thousands, until she had read every last one. "Because I was so desperate to find one person that was standing up for me," she says, "And I never found it." In that moment, she decided she wasn't going to let their negative comments be the definition of who she is, exceptionally brave and sage for a teenager, to be honest.

To back up, Lizzie Velásquez was born with a rare disease called neonatal progeroid syndrome, which stunts growth and affects her eyes, bones, and heart. The disease also unfortunately has a high mortality rate, with most infants not making it past 7 months, according to the NIH, with others making it till their teens or early 20's.

At birth, Velásquez was just 2 pounds and 10 ounces. Doctors even took a picture of her to show to her parents just to prepare them for her pint-size, but that never bothered her parents. Instead, they welcomed Lizzie her into their lives with all of the love and support in the world, which has since enabled her to become a motivational speaker and author, sharing her story—and how to avoid those awful Internet trolls.

In the latest video from our Dispelling Beauty Myths series, watch Lizzie Velásquez share her story, how awful those comments really felt and the moment she realized beauty was more than hair and makeup. We totally agree, too. Check out it below now.

Talent: Lizzie VelásquezDirector: StyleLikeUEditor: StyleLikeUVideographer: StyleLikeU

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