Former Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote has opened up about living with vitiligo, revealing the 'stares' and 'comments' she receives as the skin condition has spread across her body, including her face.
Foote, 35, who played Katy Armstrong in the ITV soap from 2010 to 2015, first noticed changes to her skin in 2020, five years after leaving the cobbles. She has now spoken candidly about her journey with the condition, which she has been public about for some time.
What Georgia said about her vitiligo
In an Instagram post, Foote shared a photo of herself proudly showing off her skin, writing: "Let's talk about my vitiligo."
She explained: "In 2020, I noticed two teeny tiny patches on my chest and was wrongly diagnosed with a treatable condition called tinea versicolour. I KNEW I was being fobbed off, begged for a referral and was later diagnosed with Vitiligo and discharged the same day with zero help."
Foote added: "7 years later I have lost nearly all the pigment in my hands, armpits and elbows. My arms are taking a huge turn all the way up, the back of my legs, my feet, my hips, my inner thighs, my stomach and the hardest part, my face."
She continued: "I’d be lying if I didn’t say I hate it at times, but I’d also be lying if I didn’t say I love it sometimes. I have always loved being an olive-skinned girl. I love the sun. My tan. The thought of being completely covered terrifies me."
Treatment and representation
Foote admitted that the most difficult part to deal with is her face, because she gets "stares" and "comments" from people, but said the "support" she has received is "heartwarming."
She said: "I get asked all the time if there is treatment. Yes. But I’m too covered for the cream. I have been on a wait list for light therapy for a year now, and in that time I have lost double the amount of colour. Literally sick of it being played down as a cosmetic issue."
Foote also criticised people creating AI images of those with vitiligo, saying: "I love seeing vitiligo being represented online and in stores. But I HATE seeing fake AI content people are making of it."
She described her journey with the condition as a "rollercoaster," admitting she was feeling insecure about it at the moment, but might "embrace it" tomorrow.
She wrote: "But what I can say is, my heart is the same. If anything, it’s made me a kinder person having this condition. And I will do my best to be the best representative for people like me," urging people to "be kind" at the end of the post, quoting her friend Caroline Flack, who died in 2020.
Reaction from fans and friends
One commenter wrote: "Keep inspiring!! I had a very similar journey. I always said to myself I can deal with it being anywhere else but not my face. And then when it happens, you have to deal with it."
Another added: "I hid mine for many years using makeup, but I’m so glad I’ve just decided to own it, and now I’m completely comfortable with my spots. Thank you so much for sharing a post like this. It means so much to the community."
Her friend, actress Laila Rouass, wrote: "My gorgeous, beautiful friend. You were, are and will always be one of the most naturally stunning women I know. You have your whole life ahead of you, and it warms my heart when I see you grabbing it with both hands…vitiligo and all. An inspiration and proper role model by redefining what beauty means. You are all sorts of beautiful. Go get em G."
