Perceptions of beauty are subjective, but for this Kansas-based blogger who spent $12,000 on body modifications, their extreme alterations contribute to their sense of beauty and confidence.
Jessy Kirkpatrick, a 27-year-old who identifies as non-binary, has invested in body modifications including a stretched septum, stretched nostrils, multiple lip piercings, a stretched tongue, a stretched lip, and silicone horn implants. They also proudly display large face and neck tattoos.
Despite facing negative comments about their appearance, Kirkpatrick remains steadfast in their motivation for the drastic changes. “People often tell me I’m going to hell for the way I look, and they never stop going on about how I’ve messed up my body. They call me ugly; they call me a freak,” they said, via the Daily Mail.
“But you know what? I believe it’s my call to decide who I want to be and how I want to look. I’m the one who knows what’s best for my health, my pain, and my conditions,” they continued. “I’m the boss of my own transformation because, in the end, it’s how I see myself that really matters.”
Older photos of Kirkpatrick show them as a teenager with mousy brown hair and bright blue eyes. Unhappy with their appearance, they began modifying their body at the age of 16. Initially met with resistance from their mother, who worried about the impact on their future, Kirkpatrick started with smaller piercings and gradually escalated to more extreme modifications.
While their appearance is unconventional, Kirkpatrick’s family, including their mother, brother, and father, has been supportive. Despite initially having concerns, they are now fully supportive of Kirkpatrick, and even deem their modifications cool.
Interestingly, Kirkpatrick, who previously struggled with anorexia, has said that their mental health has never felt better since modifying their body in such an extreme way.
Contrary to potential expectations, Kirkpatrick’s distinctive look hasn’t stopped her from getting work (which isn’t always the case for people with extreme body modifications, like this man who couldn’t find a job due to his disturbing face tattoo).
Kirkpatrick wears clear jewelry to conceal their modifications, and their employers have been understanding of their desire for unique self-expression. However, Kirkpatrick has said that they believe landing a “big corporate job” might be a little challenging.
Fueled by family support and personal confidence, Kirkpatrick has ambitious plans for additional modifications in the future. These include eyeball tattoos, scarification, a full-body blackout suit, more dermals, a split tongue, tattoos under their tongue, a larger stretched labret, larger nostrils, a larger septum, and five-inch earlobes.
Despite facing criticism and being labeled as “ugly” by internet trolls, Kirkpatrick remains resolute in their self-expression – this is their idea of beauty and nothing anyone says can change that.
What do you think of this extreme body modification? Let us know in the comments!
