Katie Piper has turned to Instagram, urging people to show more kindness after vile trolls targeted I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here star Tulisa Contostavlos.
The Loose Women panellist, a former model, has been candid about her lengthy recovery following an acid attack by her ex-boyfriend in 2008, which caused significant damage to her face and resulted in blindness in one eye.
Online trolls have compared Tulisa’s appearance on I’m A Celeb to Katie Piper’s visible injuries following her attack.
One Twitter user said: “Can’t lie #tulisa going for that #katiepiper look! #ImACeleb,” which led Katie to respond to the hurtful comment with her own statement.
The activist called for an end to judgment based on appearance as she wrote: “Stop Judging People by Their Appearance. Making jokes, memes, or cruel comments about how someone looks isn’t funny—it’s harmful. You don’t know the full story behind someone’s appearance, their medical history, or the personal choices they’ve made.”
In response to online trolls targeting Tulisa, Katie explained: “No one knows what Tulisa has or hasn’t done, and she doesn’t owe anyone an explanation. For those who think they’re ‘calling out’ cosmetic procedures, consider this: the very culture of online scrutiny is what can push people to alter their appearance in the first place.”
Katie continued: “When someone is constantly under the microscope, they may feel pressured to change how they look to avoid cruel comments. Let’s work to change this toxic culture.”
She also emphasised: “Just because a body part is visible doesn’t mean it’s open for discussion or ridicule. Everyone deserves respect and privacy, regardless of how they look or present themselves.”
Having faced her own share of online trolling, Katie said: “I’m no stranger to online trolling—it’s sadly part of my daily life whenever I pick up my phone. But think about those who can’t handle it. The psychological toll these comments take can be devastating, and in some cases, irreversible.”
Katie wrapped up her Instagram story, leaving her followers with something to ponder by asking: “Before you post your next joke or comment, ask yourself: is it worth the damage to someone’s mental health?”
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Tulisa has been open about her battle with Bell’s palsy, appearing on Loose Women in 2020 she said: “I do suffer from Bell’s palsy… it can cause facial paralysis, it can cause swelling. I think the first attack I had was after a serious horse-riding accident. I fractured my skull and it caused a lot of nerve damage.
“At any time, I have emergency steroids on me, and now luckily I know how to manage it, so the attacks don’t last as long.”
She continued: “There have actually been times when people have criticised me for the way I look and my face, not knowing I’m actually going through a Bell’s palsy attack.”
The singer was diagnosed in 2020, after 12 agonising years pain due to the health condition.
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