Khoudia Diop’s Latest Interview: Thank You, Haters.

“Today, I’d tell them that I really love them. I’d thank them because they made me realize how unique I am.”

By: Emily J

We’ve already introduced you to, Khoudia Diop, the 19 year old Senegalese model whose pictures with The Colored Girl went viral earlier this fall. In her recent interview with Seventeen Magazine, she goes more in depth about bullying, her modeling path, and how she almost tried skin lightening cream (but luckily, didn’t).

Khoudia said that most of her bullying was from her classmates in school, growing up. At first, like any normal kid, the mean remarks would make her feel sad or mad. Now, she thanks her childhood bullies, because they made her realize how beautiful she is today. “People would come up to me and say, “You’re so dark.” I’d always fight back by calling out one of their insecurities, like, “Well, you have a big nose.” Today, I’d tell them that I really love them. I’d thank them because they made me realize how unique I am,” Khoudia said.

As being the darkest in her family, Khoudia felt “embarrassed to be black.” She almost tried skin lightening creams when she saw her cousins using them but then her sister stepped in. “My sister was the one person who told me not to change, that my skin was beautiful. She really helped me feel good about myself. The very first day I got to Paris, I was walking around the city with my sister and I saw my reflection in a big mirror. I saw myself in a sea full of lighter-skinned people. I stood out, but I liked the way I looked. That’s the first time I really felt confident,” Khoudia continued.

You go, Khoudia! We are so proud of you that you didn’t give into peer pressure and realized that you’re so beautiful now!