After spending his ‘whole life’ trying to hide his birthmark, Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan has embraced his ‘differences’.
In an unusually open post, the 57-year-old singer posted a picture with his right hand on full display for the first time.
Billy said he was a ‘fan of body positivity’ and had been inspired by model Carlotta Bertotti to reveal his ‘port wine’ birthmark.
Smashing Pumpkins rose to fame in the 90s with debut album Gish, which received wide critical acclaim, and their follow-up record Siamese Dream.
The rock icon wrote on Instagram: ‘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.’
He shared his statement both on his Instagram story and in a grid post, with a picture of his hand, which is covered by a birthmark that stretches up his wrist too.
Billy continued: ‘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.’
He listed questions that he has heard about the mark, which include people asking if it is a ‘burn’, if it hurts, or if he’s ‘sick’ with something ‘contagious’.
Wrapping his message, Billy added a ‘positive’ note and said: ‘Whoever you are, I hope you find peace with who you are because: I would like to know that person and no one else.’
The Tonight, Tonight singer was sent plenty of supportive comments calling him a legend and sending heart emojis.
‘I love the way you embrace folks that others fear,’ wrote author Laura Albert. ‘Because you’ve definitely been part of that tribe.. but that doesn’t guarantee compassion on a part of a person.
‘Often it makes them the opposite.. so with you. ❤️’
‘Absolute legend. 💪🤘🏼’ added Kiki Wong as Jess Palmer said: ‘You are the best. 💕’
Just last week, Billy confirmed to People that he and his wife Chloé Mendel Corgan are expecting their third baby together.
‘We are overjoyed to announce that our family is growing!’ she revealed. ‘It’s an exciting time for us, although unexpected!’
The couple, who wed last year, already have two children; daughter Philomena, five, and Augustus, eight.
Chloe added: ‘Both kids are beaming, and it makes it so much fun to share the joy of bringing more love into our family. We are truly blessed.’
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