Truly
Videos: 3252 & Playlists: 5 Celebrating difference, maintaining a sense of wonder and confronting the extreme.
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All Video By Truly
Our Mother-Daughter Relationship Isn't 'Unhealthy' | MY EXTRAORDINARY FAMILY
CATHERINE and Gabriella describe themselves as the ‘ultimate mother-daughter duo.’ Together the pair travel, shop, model and dress in matching outfits - all the time. Catherine has two other daughters - Lauren and Sophia who the pair refer to as ‘the sisters’. They think their mom and sister’s relationship is ‘weird’. Lauren said: “Everything they do together is a little extra.” Sophia added: “Everything they do is very cringe.” Catherine and Gabriella started creating videos on social media together. Gabriella said: “People love it but they also love to hate it.” Comments have ranged from positive to judgemental and have accused Catherine of having plastic surgery to look like her daughter and living life through her. Gabriella said: “If someone says online that our relationship is unhealthy like who are you? Why would we care?” While Lauren and Sophia said they agree with some of the comments about their mom and sister being over the top, they vehemently disagree with the idea that they’re neglected as daughters. Sophia said: “We definitely get a lot of attention.” Lauren added: “We don’t need any more attention, we’re good.”
My Giant Facial Tumour Won’t Stop Me Dancing | BORN DIFFERENT
TIKTOK dance sensation Aleazia is a local celebrity in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky - but his journey to this point has been challenging from day one. He was born with a super rare condition called cystic hygroma, which caused large fluid-filled cysts to form on his face. Doctors performed "life-saving surgery" on Aleazia as a newborn baby, as the cysts were blocking his airway, preventing him from breathing. Since then, he has lived with a trach, which acts as "another airway for safety reasons" - something that has proven crucial to Aleazia, as he suffers from regular swelling of his neck and face. The swelling occurs "every two months" on average and causes Aleazia such "agony" that he has to stay in hospital for pain treatment. Growing up, Aleazia's condition meant he faced severe bullying - with other children in the neighbourhood calling him "Mr Potato Head" and "Quagmire." His parents were his rocks through it all and gave him the confidence to ignore the name-calling, but when they passed away in 2019 and 2020 respectively, Aleazia remembers feeling "alone." Despite everything he has been through, as well as continued abuse online, Aleazia has been supported by friends and family and found escapism in his love of dance. For the past 11 years, he has been performing to passers-by on the Big Four Bridge in Louisville and made a name for himself locally and on TikTok. But Aleazia does not do it for the fame and fortune - as he told truly: "When I'm dancing I forget all my troubles - I can be myself, I feel free."
Follow Aleazia:
https://www.tiktok.com/@aleazia_world
https://www.instagram.com/the_real_aleazia
Videographer: Nate Spicer
Producers: Kim Nguyen, Tom Buckman, Courtney Buabeng
Editor: Alex Saunders
I Covered My Tatts & Mom Called Me Beautiful | TRANSFORMED
MUM of two Amiee is an alternative tattoo model with extensive inking all over her body, including her face and heavily blacked out forearms. As well as being heavily tattooed, Amiee, now 23, also has over 12 piercings in her face alone. Amiee had her first tattoo when she was 13 and really started to get into tattoos aged 18, after she started working in a tattoo shop. A year later she had her first facial tattoo and has about 10 of them now. Amiee mostly has tattoos on her upper body and has over 50 - so far. Eventually she plans to be covered in tattoos from head to toe. Although friends and family have mostly been supportive of Amiee’s tattooed look, her parents took the longest to get used to it. What will they think seeing their daughter once again without any tattoos?
Follow Amiee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amiee_inked/
Follow Gemma (MUA) on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gemmahornermua/
Videographer: Jonathan Constantinou
Producers: Stephanie Stijkel, Natalia Giorgi
Editor: Hailey Wang
I'm 24 & Moved In With My 60-Year-Old BF After 3 Hours | LOVE DON'T JUDGE
WE first met Willow, 24, on Love Don't Judge back in 2022, but since then, the model has split from her past partner and has a new man, Rob, 60. The couple knew each other for years, but only recently got together when Willow found herself in LA and decided to hit up Rob. He explained: "I was actually half asleep. I was laying down, I was exhausted. I heard her voice saying she was in LA and probably had the fastest shower and hair blowout I've ever done in 60 years." Things moved fast and within just 30 days of dating, Willow's mum, Deborah, married the couple. Reflecting, Willow gushed: "Our wedding day was incredibly casual, it was just focusing on pretty much how we love each other and that's it." But despite their happiness, they're often judged for their 35-year age gap. Willow said: "They call me the black widow because this is like my second or third age gap relationship. I don't know why they're calling me that?" Today, we'll hear how the couple's relationship developed after all these years and why they are madly in love. Summarising, Rob said: "Has she changed my life? She's completed it. I'm done."
I'm Chinese, He's Black - And Racists Call Us 'Shameful' | LOVE DON'T JUDGE
T'MARH, 29, and Kathryn, 25, live together in Shanghai. He is British and she is Chinese, they have been together for seven months and have blended their lives, residing in an apartment in the city with their dog. The pair first met after briefly seeing each other at a party, then shortly after matched on Tinder and clicked. However, not all has been plain sailing for the couple, with some people in the outside world condemning their interracial relationship. When they are out in public together they often get stares, as local people can be shocked at their mixed-race relationship, especially because T'Marh is black. He explained: "You'll notice as we're walking past, people's faces will follow you as you go." But since staying longer in the city he has come to accept that these looks don't always come from a place of malice, "I've been living in Shanghai for the past five years," he said. "When I first came that would have bothered me, but I know that people will stare at something they haven't seen for a long time, it's just how it is. People will take out their phones to record, it's just how it is. It can be a bit awkward at first but it's just something that I've phased out." The couple both have their respective Instagram accounts where they have been praised for their distinctive styles but, since starting their relationship, they created a joint account and have begun to experience racist and sexualised comments aimed at both of them, Kat said: "Someone called him a gorilla, it's so bad." T'Marh added: "Someone said, 'How much can you buy him for?' People say, if you are with a white person maybe you'll stay together, if it's a black person, he's gonna go somewhere." But the couple have many supporters online too: "There are people who think our relationship looks great, we have an authentic connection and they think we look great together," T'Marh said. Kat agreed: "A lot of people think that we are a lovely couple with a special vibe that other couples don't have." She added: "The most important part is not which country he comes from, or what race he is. The most important part is who he is and the feeling from this relationship that he gives me, and that's why I [am] with him."
My Tatts Are Gone - Now My Daughter Won't Hug Me | TRANSFORMED
CHRIS Dalzell, 36, from Belfast, became fully covered in tattoos around seven years ago as a coping mechanism for when his daughter Jessica got really ill and was in and out of hospital. Chris is so used to being fully tatted that he "forgets that they’re there" until he sees himself in a reflective surface. "My daughter has never seen me in the flesh without tattoos, so it will be a big change for her", he tells Truly as he gets ready to be covered up. As he starts getting covered by the MUA, Chris says that he can't anticipate how he will feel. How will he react to having no tattoos at all after seven years? And how will his daughter, who has never seen him without them, react to her dad's new look?
Follow Chris here:
https://www.instagram.com/dalzellc/
https://www.facebook.com/chris.dalzell.501
https://www.facebook.com/NITattMan
https://www.tiktok.com/@nitattman?_t=8Ujz6Lgqi3y&_r=1
Follow MUA Paddy McGurgan here:
https://www.facebook.com/paddymcgurgan
Strangers Say Our Child Is Adopted | MY EXTRAORDINARY FAMILY
BELVANA and Natalino are regularly asked questions due to their daughter’s condition. And these questions range from being asked out of intrigue to ignorance. The couple have three children; five-year-old Zivah, two-year-old Zayana and six-month-old Xander. Zayana has albinism and when the family are out in public, they are approached by strangers. Natalino said: “People ask me unnecessary questions like whether she is my child or not?” Belvana explained that when she is out with Zayana and Zivah, people approach her too. She said: “They'll ask if they share a dad, or people would want to touch her hair, or they'll ask me if I'm the nanny.” The mum-of-three began posting content on social media and creates informative videos about albinism as well as family life. She said: “I like to use my platform to create awareness about albinism, because I realise that people are actually ignorant about it.” The family hopes to help educate people and address some of the discrimination people with albinism face. Belvana said: “My hope is really that she grows into a confident young girl. But also that she doesn't let comments get to her.”
Losing 300lbs Left Me With Extreme Saggy Skin | BRAND NEW ME
A MAN who shed an incredible 310 lbs after becoming morbidly obese has had 13 lbs of loose skin removed in a life-changing procedure. At one point, John Allaire was so morbidly obese he wore 8XL shirts and had to be weighed on a commercial scale at a fish market, as standard scales would not hold his weight. But after joining a fitness programme and dropping from 540 pounds to a lean 230 lbs, the 27-year-old was left with severe excess skin. John underwent skin removal surgery in March which saw the bulk of the loose skin on his torso and arms removed – but will require further surgery in the future to remove the skin on his lower body.
7 Beautiful Couples Living With Rare Differences | BORN DIFFERENT
LIVING with a rare condition is hard, but so is finding love. These incredible couples found each other because of what makes them truly unique. They have come together and not only face living with some of the most challenging conditions in the world, but also the prejudice that comes with that. Making them some of the most inspiring couples out there.
I'm A Punk & My Bestie's A Pin-Up - Today We Switch | TRANSFORMED
A METALHEAD has been transformed into a pinup girl for the day - to surprise her husband. New York-born, Stacie lives in Winter Springs, Florida with her husband Josh. The pair are both metalheads with black clothes, Mohawks and tattoos. Stacie has even gone so far to have her tongue split, and an entire arm filled in with black ink. Her best friend Jessie, is not so keen on the body mods. Jessie has a slightly different style with long curls, dramatic feminine makeup and pinup-style dresses. For one day only, Jessie transformed her best friend from a metalhead to a pinup girl - and then they surprised her husband.
Follow them here:
Stacie: https://www.instagram.com/lets.get.weird/
Jessie: https://www.instagram.com/jessie_leigh_x/
I'm Trans - And This Is My First Date As A Woman | LOVE DON'T JUDGE
Jessica Alves is back and ready to go on her first blind date as a woman. Transgender woman Jessica has been living as a woman for 3 years and has found dating really difficult. Her previous dates have been really awkward because men didn't want to be seen with her in public and preferred to be hidden away in the corner at restaurants. Jessica hopes to meet a man who will accept her for who she is. Will her date Shojon live up to that expectation? Will the two hit it off?
I'm 18 & Only 4ft 1" - But Dwarfism Doesn't Define Me | BORN DIFFERENT
LAST TIME "one in a million" Levi featured on Born Different, he was 11 years old. Now, having just turned 18, truly returned to catch up with Levi and his parents, Dona and Joseph. Born with an ultra-rare form of dwarfism called Jansen's metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (JMC), Levi's bones throughout his body are affected - as mom Dona describes it: "The bones grow what we call 'wonky'." As a result, in the years since we last saw Levi, he has had major surgeries to his spine and legs that were "painful and hard." One of the surgeries even involved breaking his femurs to fit metal rods and fuse his legs straight. Levi has faced many months of gruelling post-surgery rehabilitation and even had to learn to walk again "3 or 4 times." But Levi has overcome all these challenges and an upcoming drug trial offers renewed hope for his future and the future of other people living with JMC. While he waits, he is busy enjoying the outdoors - and, being a keen fisherman, a GoFundMe has been set up to help him achieve his dream of catching a fish in each of the 50 US states. Despite the "degenerative" nature of Levi's condition, his dad, Joseph, points to the fact that "he never complains, he just ploughs on through... And usually with a smile on his face." And you would not bet against Levi's defiant promise to "keep on pushing" - as Dona states: "He's a fighter. This condition probably picked the strongest kid to head up on."
Donate to Levi's GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/b9bed96a
Follow Levi:
https://www.youtube.com/LittleLevi
https://www.instagram.com/golittlelevi
https://www.tiktok.com/@golittlelevi
https://www.facebook.com/littleLevi
Haters Say I'm 'Too Big' To Be With Her | LOVE DON'T JUDGE
BRI and Marley are social media influencers and have been in a polyamorous relationship for 11 years. Before this, Marley was married to her husband for 17 years. 6 years into their relationship they decided to become poly and introduced Bri. Recently Marley’s husband left the relationship. Now Bri and Marley are looking for a third woman to join them for the long-term. But through this search, Marley has been shamed for being bigger than Bri. "I’m plus size, and people say I can’t be poly," Marley said. "They say I’m too big to be with her." They vlog their lives together because "Our life was just too lit to not have it on camera, it had to be known," Bri said. Being online has opened them up to commenters, some cruel about their mixed-weight relationship. "They say everything under the sun, 'whale', 'free w****, 'she gets the crown ‘cos she ate the last royalty," Marley explained. "In the beginning, everybody wanted us broken up. I think it was that we looked a bit weird to them. I don’t know what they’re talking about, cos I don’t see nothing. They say I’m too big for Bri, they ask if I’m her mom." This is despite the fact that they are only a few years apart in age from each other. The couple focus on their love rather than what others with prejudicial minds think. "I laugh at that stuff because I’m different, I know who I am, and I know I’m beautiful in and out. None of this affects me. It’s really funny to me. I stand high and look low," Marley said. "We fight that negativity with positivity for sure," Bri added while she beamed at her loved one. "I can handle all of [Marley], everything. We’re each other’s best friends." Marley agreed: "This is my person."
I Was A Lesbian - Now I'm Marrying An Older Man | LOVE DON'T JUDGE
HONEY, 23, began dating Shawn, 51, after a chance encounter. "In 2018 we met at a vegan restaurant, we sat at the same booth and had a date we didn't plan," she explained. "We've been talking every day since." They quickly fell for each other, despite the 28-year age difference. "It just felt right," Shawn said. "I'd say it was love at first sight," Honey agreed. Commenters criticised their partnership once they started opening up about their relationship online. "They assume sugar daddy, sugar baby," Honey said. But this didn't bother Shawn who conceded: "She is old enough to be my daughter." Their match is even more unconventional, due to Honey's past romantic preferences. "Before we got together I was a lesbian," she explained. And despite their age gap, her family fully accepted Shawn. "They were never the biggest fan of me being a lesbian because my family is Haitian, Christian. It was never an issue on my end, even though he is older than me. They were just happy that future kids were happening." The same couldn't be said for Shawn's loved ones, with many of his support network raising concerns. In this episode of Love Don't Judge, the couple sit down to discuss the initial reservations of the family, with his cousin Dwain, and Dwain's wife Carlette. When asked about their reservations about the relationship Carlette said: "It could be a recipe for disaster. Not only is she a former lesbian but she's a lot younger than him. And I feel in a way, she's been somewhat attracted to me." But after a heated conversation with the age-gap couple Carlette admitted: "I really like Honey, I think you are a great person. I love you both." Whatever others think, Shawn knows that his love for Honey is real, and disregards criticism from the outside world: "To people who like to judge us, judge yourself, look at your own life. Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself, could you take being judged?"
Drag King To Barbie Glam - My Partner Hates It | TRANSFORMED
VIDEL, 22, describes themselves as 'Chicago's Drag King' and loves performing their 'Spade Slick' alter ego. Videl created 'Spade Slick' as a "suave character, he's a little bit of a vigilante and a little bit of a heartbreaker". Videl explains to Transformed: "Having these alter egos is a form of self-expression and a further extension to show my art. It makes it feel like people will listen to me, people will see me on stage and pay attention to what I'm saying". Previously, Videl's partner Jade featured in Transformed and Videl's reaction to the makeover led to a lot of backlash with people commenting "they're a terrible partner" and "they should break up". So for one day only, the tables have turned and it's now Videl's turn to sit in the Transformation chair. Videl will transform from 'Drag King' to a 'Barbie glamorous girl' and will reveal to their partner Jade and their drag mother Famine. Will they love Videl's new glamorous look? Or will they have the same horrified reaction like last time?
Follow Videl: https://www.instagram.com/rubberrhys/
Follow MUA Natalie: https://www.instagram.com/makeupbynattyz/
“Funny Fat Kid” To Bodybuilding Champion | BRAND NEW ME
AT 410lbs, David Roden realised enough was enough and has now lost around 200lbs - nearly half his body weight. By the time David, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was 15 years old, he weighed 300Ibs and had super high blood pressure. He told Truly: “I was 18 years old, weighed over 400Ibs and just fluctuated over the next few years till I was 22 which is when I really made the shift to take more control of the actions I was doing in my life." With an addiction to diet soda, David drank 15 to 20 cans a day and would drink privately rather than publicly. David knew he had to cut his weight in half and had a vision of looking 200Ibs lighter. After hitting 50Ibs down, everything changed and he felt in control to make it work. David continued: “I remember looking at myself in the mirror, and broke down crying. I changed not just physically but mentally and spiritually on how I treated myself and others around me. After that it was just a massive shift."
My Crazy Tattoo Cover-Up - I Look So Old | TRANSFORMED
DANIEL, from Germany, has tattooed 98% of his body and hasn't seen his face in over 20 years... He has spent an eye-watering €30K on ink during his tattoo journey so far and has plans to continue until he is 100% covered. Daniel told Transformed: "I started to get face tattoos when I was 22 years old and I knew from the start that I would always be an outcast of society. When I did my first face tat, my mom cried a little bit but she knew I would always be her little boy." Daniel is constantly judged because of his body art, from people staring at him in the street to people assuming he is an 'evil person'. He said: "When they see my look, they think I'm a bad person, that I'm a drug dealer, that I do bad stuff, but actually I think I have a good heart. I try to help everyone that I love, I'm a positive guy, I'm a vegan... Just don't judge a book by its cover." Today, with the help of makeup artist Lina, Daniel will surprise his best friend 'Fetisch Barbie', by having his tattoos completely covered for the first time ever! But how will they feel seeing a brand new tattoo-less Daniel? Will he look like the same person?
Our Love Life Isn't 'Damaging' Our Children | MY EXTRAORDINARY FAMILY
ADAM and Eve have been together for 10 years and started in a polyamorous relationship. Since 2020 they have dated about 60 people. They are dating coaches and have applied their knowledge to their own dating lives. Adam and Eve have five children and describe their parenting style as ‘pretty standard’. Eve said: “When it comes to our children we didn’t really sit down and have a specific conversation like ‘Mommy and Daddy are polyamorous’ - so for them it’s just another friend until about six months in.” Despite having dated around 60 people, the couple have only properly introduced three of their partners to their children. The couple have faced judgement about their dating lives and misconceptions about their behaviour in front of their children. Adam said: “I don’t believe our dating life impacts our children in any major way, other than to help them be more tolerant and open to other ideals.” They are currently in a relationship with Bella with whom they got romantically involved a few months ago. Their children adore her and especially enjoy baking with her. Eve said: “The best thing about being in a poly relationship is you’re making your own rules. It’s like you have your cake and eat it.”
My Beauty Queen Wife Is Younger Than My Daughter | LOVE DON'T JUDGE
JOYCELINE, 27, met Dino, 56, after he slid into her DMs on Instagram for her crochet business. Joyceline remarked: "He was literally looking for crochet for three of his girlfriends!" But when Dino met Joyceline in real life, he soon made sure that she was the only woman in his life. He explained: "We knew there was chemistry, we knew it was there." Soon enough the pair were married and were living in tropical paradise in Puerto Rico. However, the couple's age gap means that they often have to endure some harsh judgement. Joyceline, who is a beauty queen, is often accused of being a sugar baby. Dino quipped: "Let me tell you something. The rules when it comes to sugar babies and sugar daddies. Sugar daddies never marry sugar babies. They give them money to go home. It's that simple!" Today, the couple will be having a video call with Dino's daughters, Zaza and Antonette, to find out what they really think about their dad's relationship. Speaking candidly, Antonette admitted: "First thoughts were definitely I hope she's older than me!"
I'm Allergic To Myself | BORN DIFFERENT
MEDICAL MYSTERY, Beth, experiences extreme allergic reactions to "pretty much everything" that comes into contact with her. Doctors have "never seen anything like" the 20-year-old's condition before, so have only been able to suggest a possible diagnosis of mast cell activation syndrome. Beth can react to anything from her own emotions to the smell of food in the air - usually resulting in red, oozing hives covering her skin, which at their worst have left Beth "screaming" in pain. But her allergies can also be "life threatening" - just the smell of paprika or chilli can send Beth into anaphylactic shock and she keeps epipens in every room of the house just in case she has a severe reaction. To protect herself as much as possible, she has had to massively restrict her diet and remain at home most of the time, which has affected other aspects of her life too. When Beth met her partner Sasha, she assumed they would "go [their] separate ways" due to the impact it would have on Sasha's life - and Beth admits that she still struggles with feelings of guilt: "That's always in the back of my mind that I feel like I've made Sasha miss out on so much." But as time has gone by and Sasha has also willingly adopted the role of Beth's full-time carer it has become clear that she is going nowhere. To this day, she continues to reassure Beth that "I want to be by your side and I'm not going to leave just because of your health." The couple have now been together for two years and the relationship has instilled a newfound confidence in Beth: "She completely changed my life, she completely changed the way I saw my health and I saw my skin. She made me feel beautiful." And having recently taken to social media to share her story and advocate for other young people living with chronic conditions, Beth has turned her pain into purpose: "I hope that people take away from my story that you're perfectly imperfect the way you are - don't shy away."
Follow Beth:
https://www.tiktok.com/@bethtsangarides
https://www.instagram.com/bethtsangarides