Mum who was bullied over looks at school gets last laugh by becoming inked model

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Laura Smith never used to feel confident about her looks when she was at school.

As a teenager, the Scottish lass was mocked by her classmates because of her gothic sense of style.

She was taunted by her peers and even attacked once on her way home from school.

Laura saw her self-esteem plummet as she worried about her weight and wearing tight clothes.

It was until the 31-year-old started watching RuPaul's Drag race on TV that she managed to find her confidence.

She began celebrating herself for the first time – and is now confident enough to compete in modelling competitions.

Laura, who lives in Midlothian, told the Daily Star: “Ever since primary school I’ve always been awkward, tried to fit in everywhere and be what everyone wanted me to be but it never worked.

“As the years went on I just became more and more of an introvert and would literally sweat around other people.

“I always worried I was in the way or bothering people. I have always been tall and stood miles above my peers which made it even more difficult to fit in.

“High school was horrific for me. I was always the odd one out, I was always bigger and to add to the awkwardness I was what everyone refers to as 'a goth'.

“I was never popular. I tried to fit in all the time but never could.”

Student Laura added: “Even though I was probably much smaller than I thought I was, I always saw my self as huge, I was forever called fat and mocked for being bigger.

“I always wanted to be that thin girl that could buy all the cute skirts and dresses and go for it but I couldn’t.

“I just wore baggy hoodies and jeans everywhere.”

Thankfully, there was a major turning point in Laura’s life when she started going to drag shows.

She said: “I started going to drag shows with one of my best friends and watching RuPaul's Drag Race on TV.

“I can honestly say drag is the main reason I found my confidence – these people taught me you can do what ever you want to do or be who ever you want to be.”

Laura also managed to find a supportive group of friends who share her interests.

They’ve acted as her cheerleaders and encouraged her to build on her new-found confidence.

The mum, who has lots of eye-catching tattoos, is feeling so good about herself at the moment she’s decided to enter Inked Magazine’s “make me a cover girl” competition.

If she wins the contest, she’ll be the next cover star and take home a $25,000 cash prize too.

At the time of writing, Laura is in first place in round four and hopes to reach the semi finals.

We’re all rooting for her!

  • Tattoos

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