A body-positive influencer has hit back at cruel trolls who leave her 'hateful' comments online - because she refuses to shave her body hair.
Taylor Michelle is inundated with negative comments about her body hair, and even her religious family have said their not fans of her look - even though it makes her happy.
The model, from Utah, isn't shy about her image, as she flaunts her style on Instagram whenever she poses for pics, as the Daily Star reports.
Taylor is vocal about not shaving as she prefers a more natural look, and even refuses to pluck her eyebrows, and explained she thinks it's unfair women have to shave when men don't.
Taylor said: "Of course, I've received hate comments. Where I'm from, everyone seems to beat around the bush or give the vibe they don't like something.
"It's easy to read when someone's feeling uncomfortable with my body hair being present. I also from time to time will receive negative comments online.
"However, I've learned to tune out the negativity. I'm sure it's still said behind my back but I tend to focus on the positive comments."
Taylor started questioning why women shaved when she was a young girl.
As a kid, she witnessed the negative response that her family members had to women with body hair.
If a woman in her family chose not to shave, comments would be made about them behind their back or to their face.
"The whole family would be talking about you and how gross it is. Even though, if you think about it, a person who forgets or chooses not to shave doesn't make them gross," the model shared.
"I personally got pulled aside when I first started growing body hair on my underarms at 12 years old.
"I was given a razor because 'girls aren't supposed to keep their underarm hair present.' I never understood why.
"I shaved for a long time until recently, about six months ago. I grew up very religious and I live in a heavily religious state but as I'm getting older I'm realising I no longer identify with that group even though I still respect their beliefs."
Taylor started questioning her own views and began doing what feels right to her.
She also questioned why it's considered unhygienic for women to not shave.
The 22-year-old continued: "As a feminine woman, I decided to stop shaving because it works as a natural repellant for people who think they have any say over my body.
"Growing up I didn't feel like I had the freedom over my body like I do now and it makes me feel powerful.
"If they view my body hair negatively, I know exactly what kind of person they are."
At the moment Taylor isn't sure whether she'll ever shave again. As of right now, she enjoys showing other women it's okay to feel comfortable not shaving.
The content creator added: "I love my body hair. It makes me feel like a beautiful, grown, mature, woman. A goddess deserves to feel beautiful in any state she's in, in my opinion."
At the time of writing, Taylor has more than 87,000 followers on Instagram and thousands of her followers look to her as a source of inspiration.
She's incredibly grateful to be someone that women can look up to.
"It's hard accepting your own body and natural looks, especially when beauty standards are very critical of the small details. But that's not what makes someone beautiful," she shared.
"What makes someone beautiful is how they move and operate in this world. Is it with kindness and consideration of yourself and others?"
As someone who came from a family and religion who would criticise her looks and appearance, Taylor said she understands if her followers struggle to embrace who they want to be.
Her advice? Do what's best for you and ignore the haters.
"Those people who truly love and want to support you will do it naturally and at ease. They will love you for who you truly are," she said.
"So the sooner you decide to not give your energy to those people, who don't like what you're doing what's best for you, you'll attract the right people to support you. I promise.
"And if anything you have strangers like me rooting for you to embrace your authentic self. If that means, embracing your natural body hair, you should do it!"
She added: "I think society needs to view women's body's differently. A woman's body is beautiful and powerful no matter what she decides to do with it."
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