People slam me as a catfish but I never hide the fact I wear dentures & look like a different person without make-up on
A MUM has been called a catfish as her appearance drastically changes when she wears makeup and DENTURES.
Ashley Butler, 31, started to lose her teeth as a result of a drug addiction.
The delivery driver from Tennessee, US, looks unrecognisable without her dentures and makeup.
But she couldn’t be happier to share her transformations online as she acts as a voice for those without teeth too.
The mum-of-four said: “I have been called a catfish, but I’m not as a catfish is someone who is pretending to be someone else.
“I am always myself - with or without makeup.
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“I put eye shadow, foundation and eyelashes on to make myself feel better - not to trick people.
“I smile with and without my teeth. My dentures don’t define me.
“I feel comfortable in my own skin now because of the dentures.”
Ashley uses her social media platform to promote self love and acceptance.
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She said: “My platform is for everybody - it is a safe place.
“I don’t judge anyone - you are who you are and I love everyone for who they are.
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“We all have a past and sadly I was addicted to crystal meth following a toxic relationship.
"My tooth loss started with domestic violence and addiction took the remaining ones before extractions.
"But that doesn’t mean I am ugly or a bad person.
“I wish people didn’t connect beauty with outside appearance.”
The extractions and dentures cost £7,390 [$9328] but Ashley was lucky enough to have them paid for by a kind stranger.
Holding back the tears, Ashley said: “I had a free consultation at the dentist but I was unable to pay for the most basic dentures.
“I remember crying in the reception and saying I will be back once I have saved around £3100 [$4000].
“The next day, they rang and said an anonymous donor has paid for the extractions and the best dentures they offer."
Ashley had her teeth extracted in November 2020 and received her temporary dentures in September 2021.
She adds: “It still blows my mind that a stranger who overhead me in the dentist paid for them.
“I didn’t think something like this could ever happen to me!
“Whoever it is saw worth in me and believed in me.
“I didnt think I deserved it.
“His or her kind gesture made me realise that I am a worthy of self love and respect.
“It is the reason I try and bring positivity and happiness daily on my platform.
"Most of the time I receive nice and positive comments but there's always one who calls me a 'junkie' or 'catfish'.
"But that is just because they clearly feel insecure or unhappy with their own life.
"Sometimes, people can only make themselves feel better by belittling others.
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"It's sad but I don't like the negative comments affect me.
"I am who I am, I'm not trying to portray myself as anyone but me."
