Snoochie Shy: 'Nobody knows but my family and friends'
Watch: I'm a Celebrity: Snoochie Shy opens up about revealing her birthmark for the first time.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! contestant Snoochie Shy has opened up about having the courage to reveal her birthmark for the first time.
The 29-year-old Radio 1Xtra presenter revealed that she always used to cover up her facial birthmark with make-up and that only her family knew about it, but she now feels 'more like herself' after revealing it.
Talking to her fellow campmates in scenes that aired in Sunday night's show, Shy explained she worried people were going to think she didn't look like her Instagram.
"Insta is your best angles, you’ve got sick lighting, you’ve got make-up on. I don’t edit my face, but obviously I’ll put like… if I’ve got spots, I hide it, with my birthmark I cover it with make-up," she explained.
"This is the first time I’ve shown people my birthmark and stuff."
Following the chat, fellow contestant Frankie Bridge added in the Bush Telegraph: "I think Snoochie came in here thinking her birthmark was an imperfection.
"I don’t think she could be any further from the truth."
Shy continued: "No one really knows, except from my family and friends, nobody knows."
Naughty Boy commented: "I think people are going to admire you for it."
Later the radio DJ opened up in the Bush Telegraph explaining that she was actually feeling really good about revealing her birthmark.
"I actually feel much better for being here and having my birthmark out," she said.
"I know it sounds so stupid but I just feel like me and I think I’m just realising that even if people do say something about it, it says more about them than it does me.
"There’s more to life really. It is what it is and I feel better for it."
Following the discussion with her campmates, viewers praised Shy, whose real name is Cheyenne Davide, for her honesty in opening up about her facial blemish.
"Relate to Snoochie with the birthmark insecurity," one wrote. "Mine on my leg is my biggest insecurity and I’ve spent years covering it and having consultations about surgery... it makes me unique but it’s a long road to learning how to love yourself and all your insecurities."
"This just proves how we view ourselves is not always how others view us! Snoochie is so sweet and this whole birthmark thing resonates so much," another added.
"Totally relate with your birthmark story, Snoochie," another commented. "People used to look at mine and comment. Definitely says more about them."
Read more: Model with facial birthmark is on a mission to help others embrace differences
Just before her stint in the programme, the presenter took the opportunity to share a selfie which revealed her birthmark, which she had typically covered up with make-up in her Instagram posts.
"Fact about Snoochie that you may not know," the accompanying caption read.
"She has a birthmark on her cheek & you’ll be seeing more of her inside da castle! #imaceleb#TeamSnoochie - Snoochie HQ."
Watch: Woman born with large birthmark on face becomes TikTok star with makeup tutorials
Before entering the castle, Shy revealed she was nervous to show her “secret” birth mark on TV for the first time.
"I'm a little bit nervous about it," she said as reported by The Sun.
"People other than my family don't know I have a birthmark on the right side of my cheek and so it will be the first time I am letting people know I have one.
"It has been an insecurity of mine in the past but I am also excited to face up to it."
According to the NHS, birthmarks are coloured marks on the skin that are present at birth or soon afterwards. While most are harmless and disappear without treatment, some may need to be treated.
There are many different types of birthmark including flat, red or pink areas of skin known as salmon patches or stork marks, raised red lumps, known as strawberry marks or haemangiomas, red, purple or dark marks, known as port wine stains and flat, light or dark brown patches, known as cafe-au-lait spots.
Some birthmarks can also appear more blue-grey on the skin like a bruise.
The NHS recommends seeing your GP if you're worried about a birthmark, the birthmark is close to the eye, nose, or mouth, has got bigger, darker or lumpier, is sore or painful, if your child has 6 or more cafe-au-lait spots or you or your child has a large congenital mole.
The GP may ask you to check the birthmark for changes, or they may refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist).
A birthmark can be removed on the NHS if it's affecting a person's health, but if you want a birthmark removed for cosmetic reasons, you'll have to pay to have it done privately.
Possible treatments for birthmarks include:
Medicines – to reduce blood flow to the birthmark, which can slow down its growth and make it lighter in colour
Laser therapy – where heat and light are used to make the birthmark smaller and lighter (it works best if started between 6 months and 1 year of age)
Surgery – to remove the birthmark (but it can leave scarring).
