By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-07 11:05:18 | Updated at 2025-01-08 11:11:48
1 day ago
A woman, dubbed the 'catfish queen', has addressed online trolls who claim she is practicing 'witchcraft' in order to look decades younger than she is.
Patricia Lichtenberger, 50, has gathered over five million views across her social media platforms and previously made headlines for her impressive make-up transformations, which appear to take years off her face.
But the fame has come with a big downside as Patricia faces constant backlash from trolls.
'Because of my skills, some people have called me terrifying,' Patricia said. 'I also get [told] that it [my make-up transformation] is "witchcraft" a lot.
'As well as [receiving comments like] "a man spends the night and then she takes off all that makeup" or "false advertising at its best".
'I don't see how [what I do] can bother someone so much.
'[They are] tearing me down, like I'm supposed to bow down to negative comments. It's not right.
Patricia, from Cuba and Kansas, first started using make-up decades ago after being bullied.
Patricia Lichtenberger, 50, has gathered over five million views across her social media for her impressive make-up skills
'I don't put make-up on for men, I put it on for myself,' she said.
'Make-up makes me feel beautiful as I always thought I was ugly and because I didn't see any beauty in myself, I was hiding my face underneath.'
The 50-year-old only started showing her 'raw authentic self' on TikTok in order to demonstrate the results of her extreme makeovers.
She said: 'I was starting to feel like I could be myself and some people loved watching me do my make-up.
'[But] words do cut feelings and people don't realise what it does to a person.'
Despite the nasty comments, Patricia has been supported by family, friends and a host of loyal followers.
The 50-year-old only started showing her 'raw authentic self' on TikTok in order to demonstrate the before (left) and after (right) of her extreme makeovers
Patricia, from Cuba and Kansas, first started using make-up decades ago after being bullied
Under the username Gemluva Beauty, Patricia has 148,000 followers on TikTok.
So far, her transformation videos have received over two million likes.
As a result of her 'circle of love', Patricia said she now embraces her beauty.
'It's not just my make-up,' she said. 'It's my positivity and empowerment.
'People say I have a bubbly personality.
'I love it and they support me in what I do because it makes me happy.'
Addressing the trolls who make fun of her extreme makeup looks, Patricia said: 'I love to spice up my life and become who I want, if I am not hurting anybody or causing a ruckus, let me be me.'
And for anyone wanting to do the same, the make-up artist says to just go for it.
Now, Patricia has more than 148,000 followers on TikTok and her transformation videos have been received over two million likes
Trolls have told Patricia that she practices 'witchcraft' because of her make-up skills
Others claim she is 'false advertising' herself and would surprise men if she took the make-up off
Thanks to her family, friends and loyal followers, Patricia has hit back at the trolls. She said: 'Their negative interactions shouldn't phase you'
Patricia added: 'In order to embrace being a catfish, you need positivity to go forth and take every hit with haters' comments.
'Their negative interactions shouldn't phase you. One thing that I have learned is you have to be able to be comfortable in your own skin without make-up as well.
'Prove to those [trolls] that if no one likes you for being authentic then they don't deserve you.
'Love yourself to the core, do what you're able to do, and find what you love.'
