Harnaam Kaur: Body positive activist with full beard becomes Guiness World Record holder

Kaur was bullied as a child for her condition but is now a model, campaigner and refusing to hide

Harnaam Kaur, 25 (Getty Images)

Harnaam Kaur has been declared a Guinness World Record holder for being the youngest woman in the world to have a full beard.

The body positivity campaigner and model has polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal condition that causes her to grow excess facial hair.

Kaur was bullied throughout her childhood because of the condition and spent years trying to hide it by undergoing painful waxes up to three times a week.

But she has gone on to model for Urban Bridesmaid Photography and made her debut on the catwalk by opening the Marianna Harutunian Royal Fashion Day show in March, wearing her traditional Sikh turban, a navy dress and black heels.

In a post after her announcement as a record holder, Kaur said being valued as a “bearded lady” is “amazing”.

“I have been wanting to publish this news for absolutely ages, but I had to keep things under wrap until the book launched.

“I am super proud to hold this record, the inner child in me is so pleased.

“I grew up reading this book, I even tried breaking some of my own records wanting to be in it.

“I hope those who read or see my record can take away positivity, inspiration and realise that no matter who you are or what you look like, you are officially amazing!”

The 24-year-old from Slough, in Berkshire, joined plus-size supermodel Tess Holliday’s anti-body shaming effyourbeautystandards team earlier this year.

“I grew up watching America's next top model, and I admired Tyra Banks whole heartedly,” Kaur wrote after her catwalk debut. “I always wanted to be like the pretty models, so I remember copying the way they posed and walked. I grew up being told I was too fat, ugly, and disgusting to even model. I used to look at models and tell myself that I will never ever be able to do what they are doing. I am not pretty enough or beautiful enough and I don't have the 'right' body type.”

“I was laughed at when I said I wanted to model. Joke's on my bullies.

“I was lucky enough to walk for @mariannaharutunian as the first bearded lady to walk for a celebrity jewellery designer. I was humbled to be the first model to walk and open the show for #royalfashionday with the portrait of the legendary #davidbowie looking down on me!”