Egyptian/Canadian model and body positive activist Mina Gerges shared with his Twitter followers a surprise apology he received from his high school bully.
The screen capture of the message read, “Hey man, I just want to apologize for any f*cked up things I said to you or about you in high school. It weighs on me. I hope all is well. Cheers.”
My highschool bully just messaged me to apologize and tbh this is the kind of energy I need in 2019 pic.twitter.com/BKQ5B9Md7Z
— Mina Gerges (@itsMinaGerges) December 29, 2018
Gerges followed up saying he asked the former bully why he was thinking on his actions eight years later.
“He said he felt really bad about it for a while, should’ve been kinder instead, and wished he’d done it sooner,” wrote Gerges. “We love growth!”
Gerges, who has a following of over 110K on Instagram, stepped into the public spotlight in 2015 thanks to his ‘budget conscious’ recreations of celebrity looks. His looks were featured on a host of media outlets including Buzzfeed, Teen Vogue, Paper and more.
I used shredded paper for my hair @beyonce #MinaGerges
A post shared by Mina Gerges (@itsminagerges) on
With the spotlight, though, came online haters who taunted him for his weight, which led to an eating disorder.
Eventually, the experience inspired Gerges to become an ambassador for body positivity and unrealistic standards of beauty in advertising.
“My goal is to redefine what it means for men to feel beautiful and be considered attractive,” he told Paper. “I want to show that men who look like me can learn to love ourselves even if we don't look like conventional representations of men."
From moving past bullies and online trolls to inspiring folks with a message of body positivity. Mina Gerges, we love YOUR kind of growth!
Readers, have you ever received an apology from the past? If so, did it help heal some old wounds or no? Let us know in the comments below.
not sure what we're looking at tbh @badgalriri #minagerges
A post shared by Mina Gerges (@itsminagerges) on
