A woman dubbed the ‘Catfish Queen’ has confronted online trolls who claim she practices ‘witchcraft’ to look decades younger than her age.
Patricia Lichtenberger, 50, has amassed more than five million views on her social media platforms and previously made headlines with her impressive makeup transformations, which appear to take years off her face.
But the fame comes with a major downside, as Patricia faces constant backlash from trolls.
“Because of my skills, some people call me scary,” Patricia said. ‘I’m also often told that it (my make-up transformation) is ‘witchcraft’.
‘As well as (receiving comments like) “a guy spends the night and then she takes off all that makeup” or “false advertising at its finest.”
“I don’t understand how (what I do) can bother someone so much.
“(They) tear me down, like I have to bow down to negative comments. It’s not right.
Patricia, from Cuba and Kansas, first started using makeup decades ago after being bullied.
Patricia Lichtenberger, 50, has racked up more than five million views on her social media for her impressive makeup skills
“I don’t put on makeup for men, I do it for myself,” she said.
‘Make-up makes me feel beautiful because I always thought I was ugly and because I didn’t see beauty in myself, I hid my face under it.’
The 50-year-old only started showing her “raw authentic self” on TikTok to demonstrate the results of her extreme makeovers.
She said: ‘I started to feel like I could be myself and some people loved watching me do my make-up.
‘(But) words cut feelings and people don’t realize what it does to a person.’
Despite the nasty reactions, Patricia is supported by family, friends and a large number of loyal followers.
The 50-year-old only started showing her ‘raw authentic self’ on TikTok to demonstrate the before (left) and after (right) of her extreme makeovers
Patricia, from Cuba and Kansas, first started using makeup decades ago after being bullied
Under the username Gemluva Beauty, Patricia has 148,000 followers on TikTok.
So far, her transformation videos have received more than two million likes.
As a result of her “circle of love,” Patricia said she now embraces her beauty.
“It’s not just my makeup,” she said. ‘It’s my positivity and empowerment.
‘People say I have a vibrant personality.
‘I love it and they support me in what I do because it makes me happy.’
Patricia told the trolls who make fun of her extreme makeup looks: ‘I love to spice up my life and become whoever I want. If I don’t hurt anyone or cause a fuss, let me be myself.’
And for anyone who wants to do the same, the makeup artist says: just go for it.
Now Patricia has more than 148,000 followers on TikTok and her transformation videos have received more than two million likes
Trolls have told Patricia she practices ‘witchcraft’ because of her make-up skills
Others claim she is doing ‘false advertising’ and would surprise men if she took off the make-up
Thanks to her family, friends and loyal followers, Patricia has fought back the trolls. She said: ‘Their negative interactions should not phase you’
Patricia added, “To embrace being a catfish, you need positivity to move on and take every hit of hater comments.
“Their negative interactions shouldn’t phase you. One thing I’ve learned is that you have to feel good about yourself even without makeup.
“Prove to those (trolls) that if no one likes you because you’re authentic, they don’t deserve you.
‘Love yourself to the core, do what you can do and find what you love.’