Paige Lauren Billiot, 23, learned early in life that so-called “flaws” were something to embrace.
The Los Angeles-based actress and filmmaker was born with aport-wine stain birthmarkover the left side of her face.
“I experienced a lot of bullying, and that really affected me,” she tells SELF.
Jessica Passecker Photography
“Id go home and cry and always wonder, ‘Why cant I be normal like everyone else?’
National Library of Medicine.
It made growing up difficult for Billiot, and she became tired of the bullying and staring.
Paige Billiot at age 10.
That’s when she hit a turning point.
Billiot bravely started to welcome the curiosity people had about her birthmark.
She’d confidently acknowledge her port-wine stain when she introduced herself, explaining to people what it was.
Christy Dunn Photography
“And me just telling them what it was really helped them understand me as an individual.
“I really wanted to change the meaning of what a flaw is,” she says.
“[It’s] what makes you so unique.”
Jessica Passecker Photography
And she’s rightwe are all perfectly imperfect.
In others, she wears a striking red dress in a forest.
“It was a good outlet for myself.”
Christy Dunn Photography
She hopes to feature people with a range of “flaws” as she grows the project.
Charles Contreras
