'It makes me happy that I can inspire so many people': Living doll Venus Palermo talks about her fans and hip-hop loving friends in candid TV interview as her YouTube hits reach 30million
15-year-old Venus Palermo became an internet sensation thanks to her bizarre YouTube video tutorials offering tips to girls wanting to turn themselves in to 'living dolls'.
Schoolgirl Venus, from Brixton in South West London, lives as a doll every day and hits for her step-by-step videos now total more than 30 million, with one video - How To Look Like A Doll - attracting almost 5m viewers.
But in a television interview this week the petite teenager and her mother insist that although she chooses to dress like a doll she is a normal girl with normal friends and that it is just an innocent hobby.
Scroll down for video
Internet hit: Venus Palermo's YouTube channel has attracted 10 million views, with one video, How To Look Like A Doll, drawing almost 1.7m hits
Living doll: Venus as she appears on one of her internet videos
Appearing on Polish TV with her mother Margaret Palermo, Venus revealed that she loves maths and said: 'I have many different friends, some that follow my style, but others that like hop hop and normal stuff.
'And this is my real voice! Dolls don't talk so how would I know what a doll sounds like?'
Venus, who speaks five languages, is home-schooled by Margaret, who is adamant that being a living doll is not harming her daughter.
She said: 'We choose outfits together. I find it fascinating. Very beautiful and innocent.
'I think everyone can be whatever they want. If you push yourself to be normal but that is not you, you are escaping from your dreams.
'I think this is freedom. There is nothing dangerous in this behaviour and she likes living like this.
Venus, who was dressed as a Geisha doll for the TV appearance in a patterned kimono, knee high pink socks and brunette wig said: 'I have nice followers who say I want to look and dress like Venus Angelique (her online name).
'It makes me really happy that I am able to inspire so many people.'
Venus Palermo poses in doll-like clothing and offers tips to viewers on turning themselves into similar living dolls
YouTube hit: Venus's channel on the video-sharing website has reached a staggering 10 million people and has 30,000 subscribers
Dividing opinion: Many of the 1.7m people who have viewed Venus's channel are fans of her look, but others complain her obsession is unhealthy
Many of those viewing the videos are rapturous about the young girl's appearance, taking to the comments boards in their droves to remark upon her wide eyes, clever make-up application or rose-bud lips.
Others are damning, with one pointing out that a 15-year-old girl should have more concerns than an obsession with make-up.
'You look and sound like a complete freak,' one user wrote. 'You're 15 - you don't need make-up! You should get some counselling. You had no father in your life and your mum obviously treated you like a doll as you're all she had. You shouldn't post videos on here encouraging normal kids to your WEIRD and unnatural ways.'
Another wrote it was 'narrow-minded' to be so focused on one's appearance. 'Seeing young girls changing themselves and not loving their body or face and still doing nothing, this is narrow-minded, my friend.'
Coming out in her defence, another user wrote that in Japan, such 'Lolita' styling is completely normal.
'On the contrary, Venus is not conforming to the ridiculous standards that society considers "pretty" and is simply following the 'Lolita' style that is very popular in eastern Asia,' they wrote. 'Also, why do you feel the need to be so rude? You may not like this video but that does not give you the right to insult a young girl, it's just being downright rude and narrow-minded.'
In April Venus, known online as Venus Angelic, appeared on ITV morning television programme Daybreak along with her mother, who defended her daughter's choice of lifestyle.
Venus Palermo has 78 videos on her official YouTube page - including makeup tutorials and nail art
Masterclass: Venus explains it takes only 15 minutes to achieve the look using powder, light pink eyeshadow, mascara, lip liner and gloss
Uncanny: One of her top tips is to use contact lenses with a full, opaque color to make your eyes look doll-like
Presenter Helen Fospero said she would be 'horrified' if her own daughter wanted to dress like a doll, saying it was 'not normal'. But Margaret Palermo claimed her teenaged daughter was an 'innocent and good girl who likes frills and ribbons'.
Margaret responded: 'I would be horrified if she came home pregnant, I am not horrified if she is innocent and good girl who likes cute clothes and frills and ribbons.'
'I am absolutely fine with that, her face is already doll-like and if she likes the style I am fine with it, I would be more worried if she came home drunk or smoked.'
Inspired by the craze for Japanese anime, Venus set about changing her look to that of a porcelain doll after a trip to the country.
Venus said: 'I was always like this, I liked to dress in frilly dresses and tie my hair in pigtails, then I discovered how and what I really want to be as a teenager.
'A lot of people like the look and I want to help them achieve it.'
Venus, who dresses as a doll every day, explained she takes only 15 minutes to achieve the look using powder, light pink eyeshadow, mascara, lip liner and gloss.
Venus with her mother Margaret Palermo being interviewed on Polish television
Venus, who dresses as a doll every day, explained she takes only 15 minutes to achieve the look using powder, light pink eyeshadow, mascara, lip liner and gloss
Support: Venus's mother Margaret Palermo appeared on Daybreak in April to defend her daughter's obsession with looking like a 'living doll'
Popular: Venus, known online as Venus Angelic, has become an internet sensation after her online tutorials, in which she gives tips on how to achieve her bizarre 'living doll' look, received millions of hits
One of her top tips is to use contact lenses with a full, opaque colour to make your eyes look doll-like.
While the living doll-look is going global, in Asia it has been a long-running trend.
As early as 2010 it was reported that an increasing amount of Japanese women were aspiring to look like dolls, embracing femininity and obliterating sexuality altogether.
Experts however have expressed their concern the trend could encourage the sexualisation of children.
VIDEO: The 'living doll' being interviewed on Polish TV
VIDEO: I would be horrified if she came home pregnant...she is a good girl who likes frills and ribbons, Margaret Palermo tells Daybreak
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2223209/Living-doll-Venus-Palermo-talks-fans-hip-hop-loving-friends-candid-TV-interview.html#ixzz2AOjSsOWY
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Nenhum comentário: