Miss America leads group of beauty queens posting stunning 'no make-up' selfies in support of pageant winner who was shamed online after going bare-faced in a photo
- Isabella Gaines from North Carolina was tagged in a Twitter post by a stranger who said it was 'amazing' what a difference make-up makes
- The Miss Greater Port City Outstanding Teen was hurt - but then decided to fire back, encouraging pageant friends to share their own photos
- Now Miss America Kira Kazantsev has even shared a snap to promote the anti-bullying campaign
When a Twitter user tried to shame a pageant queen for how she looked without make-up, the reigning Miss Greater Port City Outstanding Teen was having none of it.
Isabella Gaines from Wilmington, North Carolina, is used to looking her best on the pageant circuit - but that doesn't mean she's always in a full face of make-up when she's hanging out.
So when a stranger on Twitter composed a critical side-by-side comparison of pictures of Isabella with and without cosmetics, the teen took the opportunity to teach her a thing or two about bullying and self esteem, launching a #nomakeupselfie movement that has seen pageant queens from across the country offering their support – even the current Miss America.
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Pretty girl: Last month, a Twitter user shared this side-by-side comparison of Isabella Gaines with (right) and without (left) make-up
Not cool: The Twitter account for 'NCOT no makeup pointed out that it was 'amazing' that the photos were of the same person, implying that Isabella looks much better with make-up
On June 30, the Twitter account 'NCOT no makeup' (NCOT standing for the North Carolina Outstanding Teen) shared two photos of Isabella - one with make-up, and one without. They captioned the side-by-side comparison: 'This is the same person in both pics, amazing what makeup can do. [sic]'
When Isabella got the notification that she had been tagged in the post, she was upset, writing that she found it 'offensive and degrading'.
But instead of begging the account to take it down - or even pretending it didn't happen - the teenager decided to use the moment to make a statement.
'I was like, I want to do something about this,' she told WECT. 'Maybe someone will see it out there, maybe it is just one person. That would be great if maybe I could help.'
No nonsense: Isabella fired back, taking ownership of her make-up-free photos and even tweeting more; she encouraged others to use the #nomakeupselfie hashtag as well
Taking a stand: Isabella said she used to be insecure about how she looked without make-up but has more confidence now
Famous supporters: Miss America Kira Kazantsev joined in by sharing this make-up free snap, advising Isabella to 'shake it off'
Star on board: Fox News host Gretchen Carlson tweeted: 'Supporting @bellagainess #nomakeupselfie campaign to combat bullying'
In an Instagram post addressing the incident, Isabella wrote: 'I used to be very insecure about how I looked without makeup, but I am comfortable in my own skin and have accepted I am not flawless because I know I'm made in God's image. [sic]'
Telling her followers that 'beauty comes from within', she encouraged other members of the pageant community to post their own no-make-up pictures using the hashtag #NoMakeupSelfie. She also shared one of her own.
Plenty joined in, including several of her North Carolina pageant friends, Miss America 2015 winner Kira Kazantsev, and even Fox News' Gretchen Carlson.
Making it a trend: Other members of the pageant community, like Lyndsey Stephens (pictured) rushed to support Isabella with no make-up selfies of their own
So supportive: Amanda Debus (pictured) joined in the anti-bullying campaign with another side-by-side comparison
True blue: Grace Dirig (pictured) said she was conformable with who she was and would always stand up for friends like Isabella
Others tweeted messages of support, telling Isabella that she looks beautiful with and without make-up.
'I'm so incredibly proud of you,' wrote one. 'Don't lower yourself to their level. You are leaps and bounds ahead of them.'
Another added: 'You know what's cute? Confidence! You know what's not cute? Cyberbullying!'
'I got inboxes from people from Massachusetts and New York saying, "You are so inspiring and that it really helped me," and that they were bullied too and they started sharing their stories with me,' she told WECT. 'It is just so amazing that everyone feels so empowered by it.'
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