We all make personal choices in life—ones that may not always align with what others might do or approve of. And while those decisions are ours to own, that doesn’t stop people from offering their unsolicited opinions.
Take Taylor Paige Courtenay, for example—a popular social media influencer from South Devon who’s turning heads and sparking conversations. Covered in tattoos and proud of it, Taylor regularly shares her inked-up journey with her 320,000 TikTok followers.
But with bold self-expression often comes bold criticism. Taylor says she’s been facing judgment from the older generation, who don’t hold back their opinions. One of her videos—bluntly titled “Your tattoos are not going to look good when you hit 60”—calls out the kind of comments she frequently receives. Yet she continues to stand tall, showing off her body art and challenging outdated views, one viral video at a time.
In one of her viral videos, Taylor playfully addresses the criticism head-on. She starts by covering up her tattoos with a baggy jumper, then dramatically pulls it off to reveal her full inked look underneath. With a smirk, she captions the moment: “Karen will say I’ve ruined myself.”
It’s a cheeky nod to the kind of judgment she often faces—and a bold reminder that self-expression doesn’t need anyone else’s approval.
In another candid video, Taylor opens up about the realities of her choices and the labels people place on her. With a vulnerable tone, she writes:
“26 and coming to terms with the fact that I’ll never be ‘that girl.’ I’ll never be the one they take home to their parents. I’ll never be the one they talk about with their friends. I’ll never be the one they invite over for dinner. I’ll never be the one they proudly show off.
I’ll always be the temporary fix. I’ll be the one they use to pass the time. I’ll always be the girl that’s hidden.”
It’s a powerful statement, one that speaks to the struggles of living authentically in a world that often judges you for being different. Taylor’s vulnerability is a reminder that embracing individuality comes with a price, but it’s a price she’s willing to pay.