Model Iomikoe Johnson was 25 when she started to develop lighter pigmentation patches under her arm – and the condition will gradually turn her skin completely white.
The 38-year-old, from Lake Charles, Lousiana, US, has faced years of racist jokes – with some saying she's not really black and even calling her a "spotted N-word" in the street.
But the grandmother-of-three – who has now been hailed as the Vitiligo Goddess – has used the bullies as motivation to forge a successful modelling career – with her daughters Shianna, 21, and Amaya, 19, now following suit.
She hopes to inspire young girls living with vitiligo, like Canadian supermodel Winnie Harlow, 24, did for her, and redefine beauty ideals.
She said: “Some of the comments I have received have been flat out disrespectful.
“People have called me a cow, a dalmatian and they have made racist jokes saying that because I am turning white, my credit would be good now.
“Others have made outrageous comments saying I’m not black and, while I was out for Mardi Gras last year, a man call me a spotted N-word while I was with my grandson.
“I am inspiring others who look like me or are different like me to love the skin they’re in no matter what stupid people have to say.
“You can get vitiligo regardless of age, race or gender, at any time of your life.
“Those words hurt me as an adult, I can only imagine how they would hurt a child or teenager.
“Thank God I’m confident in who I am and I have a support system who have built me up to know my worth, not every person has that.
“My book talks about a young girl who got vitiligo in her freshman year of going to high school.
“When I first started my journey, I didn’t have anyone to relate to except for Winnie Harlow, I want to help others heal.
“I want to teach them just because they’re different doesn’t mean they’re not beautiful. They can do anything they set their minds to and their true power lies within.
“Vitiligo is not a curse, it’s a gift to show society that no one race is better than the other and that God made everything beautiful.
“What’s wrong with natural beauty?”
What is vitiligo?
Vitiligo is a long-term condition where white patches develop on the skin.
It's caused by melanin, a pigment, and most commonly occurs on the face, neck, hands and skin creases.
It can develop at any age and starts as a pale patch of skin which gradually turns completely white. These patches are usually permanent.
Vitiligo can lead to other complications, like sunburn on the white patches, while it can be associated with eye inflammation and partial loss of hearing.
It's not clear why certain people develop vitiligo, but there are some risk factors:
- Family history of vitiligo
- Family history of autoimmune conditions
- Melanoma (skin cancer) or cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system)
- Skin damage from sunburn
- Exposure to chemicals
Around one per cent of the world's population, 50 million people, have vitiligo. Iomikoe has the version which will eventually turn her whole body white.
Iomikoe's family and fiance Philip have been there for her throughout her journey.
She said: "They have been so amazing, they’re so proud of me. My mum has some of my modelling pictures up in her home and she brags about me every chance she gets.
"My daughters are modelling as well which makes me so proud. It makes my heart smile to see them follow in my footsteps.
"I tell them both all the time, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.
"They tell me, ‘if you can do it mum, so can we’ and they’re so beautiful on the inside and out."
Iomikoe's book, The Spotted Girl Who Empowered The World, will be available to pre-order on Amazon from March.
She added: "I want people to know that beauty starts from within.
"You may face obstacles along your journey to self-confidence and self-love but it’s your journey, take your time."
Last week, we revealed Primark have been praised for using a teenage model with vitiligo in a new kidswear campaign.
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