Mikayla Nogueira Opens Up About Pain Behind the Filters

19 September 2025

Mikayla Nogueira. Credit:mikaylanogueira/TikTok (2)

Makeup influencer Mikayla Nogueira, known for her honest tutorials and radiant presence, broke down in a rare emotional moment on September 18, 2025. In a nearly nine-minute video posted to TikTok she addressed waves of comments about her appearance that had been weighing on her for a long time. What followed was a raw and heartbreaking unpacking of insecurity, online cruelty, and how the spotlight of social media can cut deep.

She began by explaining that even though she does not use filters on her face and avoids editing her body she still finds the online perception of her looks haunting. She said people often ask why she looks different in person than in her online videos. She confessed that she is aware she is what many would call “not attractive.” She laughed through tears describing how easy it is for her to look bad in a photo. She acknowledged she knows she is flawed including issues with her side profile and loose skin after significant weight loss.

Nogueira opened up about her struggle with past eating disorders saying those insecurities were never far from the surface. She said the commentary she gets now feels sharper since she lost 60 pounds, not kinder. She talked about how people post pictures and comments humiliating her for her arms, her loose skin, or saying things about her figure that highlight her insecurities. She said that sometimes she wonders whether people are waiting for her to slip up so they can be harsher. Her words conveyed exhaustion at being constantly critiqued for what she cannot fully change.

Throughout the video she emphasized how painful it is to navigate what she looks like under the gaze of millions. She said she tries to present herself well on camera for her audience of roughly 17 million people. Still she feels the weight of expectations. She admitted editing her pictures though not her body when she feels she did not “photograph well.” She stressed that even then she does so lightly compared to what people might assume. But the damage of comparison and harsh online comments, she said, lingers longer than any filtered image.

At times she paused, visibly shaken. Apologized for how emotional she was. Said she didn’t intend for viewers to see her cry. The vulnerability of the moment struck many as sincere. She reminded her followers she was human. Someone who laughs, who makeup, takes photos, makes mistakes, fears judgement. Someone who gets tired. Someone who wishes people could see beyond surface.

Her message resonated widely. Many followers responded with messages of love and support. “You are beautiful inside and out” was a recurring sentiment. Others said they felt seen, seen in their own struggles with body image and public expectations. Some shared that they often avoid posting photos because they fear which side will show up, which angles will distort what they think looks acceptable. Nogueira’s honesty spawned conversation among fans about what beauty really costs in the age of content.

Beyond just the comments and her tears the video pointed to larger issues in influencer culture. The pressure on creators to always look polished, on every angle of camera, every moment captured. The ways audiences expect visibility while also judging every small perceived imperfection. The way weight loss can sometimes bring more scrutiny rather than peace. Nogueira’s story underscores how the tools meant for connection photos, videos, likes can also be spaces of relentless critique.

Despite the pain she also expressed gratitude. She thanked those who had offered kindness, who said her content helped them, who encouraged her honesty. She asked for a little grace. She said she understands that being a beauty influencer means being visible in parts she doesn’t always feel confident in. But she also asked audience and critics alike to remember that what’s seen online is only part of what someone is living.

In the end Mikayla Nogueira’s video did more than respond to insults. It revealed how deeply public image and private self can collide. It showed that behind makeup brushes and glowing filters there is a person with insecurities, scars, hopes, and a desire for acceptance. It reminded people that beauty content comes at a cost to creators just as much as it delights audiences. And it ignited conversation about compassion, understanding, and what it really means to be visible in a world always watching.