'I do look different, and I'm proud of that': Teenager covered in ‘ugly’ birthmarks sets out to silence her bullies by conquering Hollywood 

  • Marika Nagy, 19, from Manchester, is covered top to toe in birthmarks
  • Spent much of her early life being abused by cruel bullies at school 
  • Classmates said she looked like a 'cow' and was 'splattered with mud'
  • But Marika says acting lessons has helped boost her confidence
  • The teen now plans to conquer Hollywood to inspire other young girls 

By Unity Blott For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

A teenager bullied for being covered in birthmarks hopes to become a Hollywood star to help inspire body confidence in other young girls.

Marika Nagy, 19, from Wythenshawe, Manchester, spent years being taunted by school bullies, who said she looked like a 'cow' and was 'splattered with mud'.

But after years of abuse, Marika says she has finally found the confidence to embrace her unusual birthmarks.

Marika Nagy, 19, say she spent years being taunted by school bullies, who said she looked like a 'cow' and was 'splattered with mud'

Marika Nagy, 19, say she spent years being taunted by school bullies, who said she looked like a 'cow' and was 'splattered with mud'

Now, after years of abuse, Marika says she has finally found the confidence to embrace her unusual birthmarks

Now, after years of abuse, Marika says she has finally found the confidence to embrace her unusual birthmarks

She now hopes to pursue her acting dream to inspire other girls to love themselves the way they are.

Marika, who was born in Bremen, Germany, but now works as an au pair in the UK, said: 'I spent most of my childhood hiding away. But I refuse to allow other people to stop me from achieving my ambitions.

'My birthmarks make me special. The world would be a very boring place if we all looked the same.

'I have moved to the UK to take up acting lessons and hopefully accomplish my dream of becoming an actress. I won't let the bullies bring me down.'

During her school years, Marika says she was subjected to a series of terrifying verbal and physical attacks because of her appearance.

Marika in 2002, aged five. Marika said: 'I spent most of my childhood hiding away. But I refuse to allow other people to stop me from achieving my ambitions'

Marika in 2002, aged five. Marika said: 'I spent most of my childhood hiding away. But I refuse to allow other people to stop me from achieving my ambitions'

Marika in 1998, aged six months. She said: 'My birthmarks make me special. The world would be a very boring place if we all looked the same'

Marika in 1998, aged six months. She said: 'My birthmarks make me special. The world would be a very boring place if we all looked the same'

Around 60 per cent of her skin is covered in birthmarks, with the largest one measuring 30cm by 45cm.

Marika said: 'I had a difficult time at school and didn't have any friends. Girls cornered me in the corridor and called me '"ugly". Sometimes they'd push and kick me.

'And it didn't stop once I got home. Bullies set up fake profiles and commented on my pictures, saying they should be taken down as they were offending people.

'Eventually I lost all of my confidence and began to believe that the bullies must be right when they said I was disgusting.'

Doctors have been unable to determine why she was born with so many birthmarks, but Marika has already undergone seven painful operations to remove the largest birthmarks and reduce her risk of cancer.

In 1997 aged four months. Around 60 per cent of her skin is covered in birthmarks, with the largest one measuring 30cm by 45cm

In 1997 aged four months. Around 60 per cent of her skin is covered in birthmarks, with the largest one measuring 30cm by 45cm

Marika in 2000, aged three
Marika in 2004, aged seven

Marika in 2000, aged three (left) and in 2004, aged seven (right). During her school years, she was subjected to terrifying verbal and physical attacks because of her appearance

While most birthmarks are not dangerous, people with large or multiple birthmarks have a higher chance of developing melanoma - the most serious type of skin cancer.

So when Marika was just two months old, her parents - nursery teacher Andrea, 54, and engineer Axel, 52 - allowed surgeons to remove a large birthmark on her back.

Marika said: 'It was touch and go whether I would survive, but thankfully I pulled through. After that, I had six more operations to remove birthmarks all over my body.

'As I got older, new ones grew - particularly on my face, arms and legs. And that's when the bullying started.

'My parents told me I was beautiful, but it was hard to believe them when strangers pointed and laughed, or people at school told me I was ugly.'

Then in her early teens, Marika discovered a passion for acting - which she says has given her the confidence to embrace her birthmarks.

Marika now. When was just two months old, her parents - nursery teacher Andrea, 54, and engineer Axel, 52 - allowed surgeons to remove a large birthmark on her back

Marika now. When was just two months old, her parents - nursery teacher Andrea, 54, and engineer Axel, 52 - allowed surgeons to remove a large birthmark on her back

Marika now hopes to conquer Hollywood
Reflecting on her childhood, Marika said: 'My parents told me I was beautiful, but it was hard to believe them when strangers pointed and laughed, or people at school told me I was ugly'

Reflecting on her childhood, Marika said: 'My parents told me I was beautiful, but it was hard to believe them when strangers pointed and laughed, or people at school told me I was ugly'

Marika today. Throughout her early teens, Marika discovered a passion for acting - which she says has given her the confidence to embrace her birthmarks

Marika today. Throughout her early teens, Marika discovered a passion for acting - which she says has given her the confidence to embrace her birthmarks

She said: 'I loved drama at school, as it meant that I could pretend to be someone else. For a few hours, I wasn't Marika the birthmark girl - I was someone happy, or interesting or fun.

'With time, this stopped being an act, and became who I really was.

'I loved watching English movies, especially Harry Potter. It really struck a chord that Harry knew he was different to everyone else, because that's exactly how I felt.

'Now, I don't have to act happy or confident. I love and respect myself, and I no longer feel that I have to hide away.'

Determined to embark on a successful career as a Hollywood actress, Marika moved from Germany to Manchester in July this year.

She said: 'My mum is originally from Yorkshire, so it's been nice to spend time in the country she grew up in.

'I feel like I can be myself here, and I'm looking forward to taking on exciting new opportunities.

Now 19, Marika says: 'Now, I don't have to act happy or confident. I love and respect myself, and I no longer feel that I have to hide away'

Now 19, Marika says: 'Now, I don't have to act happy or confident. I love and respect myself, and I no longer feel that I have to hide away'

Determined to embark on a successful career as a Hollywood actress, Marika moved from Germany to Manchester in July this year

Determined to embark on a successful career as a Hollywood actress, Marika moved from Germany to Manchester in July this year

'Of course people still stare at me in the street. Young children are particularly curious, so they'll tug their parent's sleeve and say "Mummy, look at that girl!"

'It doesn't offend me, though. I do look different, and I'm proud of that.'

Marika now hopes that her unique look will help to show other girls that beauty lies in individuality - a message she tries to instil in younger sister, Janka, 16.

She said: 'I will never look like a typical Hollywood movie star, but I'm glad. My birthmarks make me who I am.

'I want to show girls that it is our differences that make us beautiful. That we don't have to be ashamed of being unique, and bullies will not break us down.

'It's taken me 19 years, but I finally love who I am.'

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