A 6ft 7in woman who was bullied throughout school because of her height has had the last laugh after being scouted as a model.
Naomi Lovell, 22, from Doncaster, Yorkshire, receives unwanted sexual attention on social media because of her striking stature, but is ‘thrilled’ to finally be channelling her physicality into something positive.
From a young age, Naomi – who was already towering over her peers at 6ft 2in aged just 13 – has even had to get used to strangers staring and tapping her legs to ‘check if she is on stilts’.
She feels her height has stood in the way of her love life – because ‘society dictates that men are the taller in a couple’ – and she has never had a boyfriend.
Naomi Lovell, 22, from Doncaster, Yorkshire, who was bullied throughout school because of her 6ft 7in height, has had the last laugh after being scouted as a model
From a young age, Naomi – who was already towering over her peers at 6ft 2in aged just 13 – has even had to get used to strangers staring and tapping her legs to ‘check if she is on stilts’. Pictured beside school friends Beatrice Hubbard, now 22, and Abigail Harper, 22, when they were all 16 in June 2014
Her family, although taller slightly taller than average, are nowhere near her size; her mother, Karen, 58, a retired midwife, is 5ft 7in while her father, Nigel, 51, a railway engineer, is 6ft 2in.
Meanwhile her sisters Bethan, 25, a student, is 5ft 10, and Amanda, 28, a warehouse worker, is 5ft 9in.
Cafe-worker Naomi, who also sports flaming red hair, said: ‘I was bullied in school for my height. Even teachers would comment on it.
‘I was always picked for netball – even though I was rubbish at it – just because I’m tall.
Naomi said she feels her height has stood in the way of her love life – because ‘society dictates that men are the taller in a couple’ – and she has never had a boyfriend. Pictured left with Rachel Newham, 48, who is 4ft 10in
‘I do remember feeling like I was being used for my height. It affected my self-esteem and in some ways robbed me of my childhood as everyone always assumed I was much older and would treat me like an adult or expect me to be really mature.
‘I’ve even had perverted men messaging me on Instagram, it makes me sick to my stomach. They have fetishes about tall women and always ask if I’m married.
‘But I feel like I’ve really gained confidence since joining the modelling agency, they specialise in taller or unique looking girls.
Cafe-worker Naomi, who also sports flaming red hair, said she was bullied in school for her height, and claimed even teachers would comment on it
Naomi, pictured with her sister Bethan, 25, and father Nigel, 52, said being signed to the modelling agency and taking part in a photoshoot has boosted her confidence
‘They asked me onto their books almost as soon as they met me, it was a real compliment, I finally felt beautiful.’
Naomi has been signed by the London modelling agency Ugly, with photoshoot sessions boosting her confidence.
She said: ‘I had always been told that I should be a model with my long legs and height, but because I always felt like the odd one out I never really believed it.
‘My mum organised a makeover session for me. And the photo agency in charge took one look at me and offered me a place on their books right away.
‘It was such a good feeling. Although I was so nervous doing a photoshoot, it was one of the first times I remember feeling really beautiful.’