Award-winning and celebrated gospel artiste Mercy Masika opened up on her self esteem struggles  growing up.

Young Mercy had pimples that made her think she was an ugly little girl and to top it all, being dark-skinned also affected her.

The singer who is well known for song Mwema said,

‘WHEN GROWING UP (ONLY THEN NOT NOW )I THOUGHT UGLY WAS ON MY FACE BECAUSE I WAS DARK AND FULL OF PIMPLES..

BUT I REALIZE THE DAY I FOUND GOD I FOUND MYSELF. 

SO I KEEP LOOKING AT ME AND SAYING TRULY WITH A SINCERE HEART DARK IS LOVELY.

I AM ACTUALLY GRATEFUL…#DARKISLOVELY.

TELL YOUR DARK DAUGHTERS THEY ARE PRETTY COZ ITS TRUE’

Mercy is not the only celebrity who felt ugly in the past.

Lupita Nyong'o in an interview said that her book, Sulwe is a powerful, moving picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within.

Sulwe, the character in the book has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.

In this stunning debut picture book, actress Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.

She mentioned that if she had such a book when she was growing up, then she would have felt beautiful as a kid.

Now both ladies are celebrated globally and Lupita for featured on the cover of Peoples magazine and she was named People's most beautiful person in the world.

A message to little children that you are beautiful and you should embrace your little flaws.