Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan has just revealed the birthmark he has been hiding for his whole life.
The rocker took to Instagram to show off his ‘port wine’ birthmark in a statement of body positivity. He also posted an image of model Carla Bertotti, who proudly embraces her own significant birthmark. Corgan admitted that he used to hide his birthmarks but was inspired by Bertotti to embrace his own ‘difference.’
“I’m a fan of body positivity movements because at the end of the day it is about celebrating what makes us ‘us.’ So as you see, here is a beautiful young woman (Carlotta Bertotti) with a birthmark who has embraced her ‘difference’ with grace,” the rocker wrote. “My point being that my whole life I’ve endeavoured to hide my ‘port wine’ birthmarks because as you can imagine I was teased unmercifully about them as a child. So much so that people who have known me for a decade are shocked when they finally ‘see it.’”
“And even now strangers will stop me on the street not because they recognize me but because they think something is wrong with me that requires medical attention. Plus the random questions: Is that a burn? Are you sick? Is it contagious? Does it hurt? So positive message for the day: Whoever you are, I hope you find peace with who you are because: I would like to know that person and no one else,” he finished his message.
Corgan’s message received a huge wave of support from people like new Pumpkins guitarist Kiki Wong to black metal artist Myrkur.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, port wine stains happen because tiny blood vessels under the skin don’t form correctly. They become more open and stretched out than normal. While usually harmless, these birthmarks can get darker and thicker over time and might become raised instead of staying flat and smooth.
Meanwhile, Corgan and The Smashing Pumpkins have just released a new album, ‘Aghori Mhori Mei,’ and are currently touring with Green Day on their ‘Saviors Tour.’
