VIDEO: Ghanaian Influencer Mummy Yo, Famous for Her Curves, Reveals Vitiligo Hidden Under Makeup — Faces Racist Mockery from Whites

Ghanaian Influencer Justicia Busiah, a.k.a. Mummy Yo, Opens Up About Her Vitiligo Diagnosis with Grace and Boldness

On June 18, 2024, popular Ghanaian social media influencer Justicia Busiah — widely known as Mummy Yo — took to social media to reveal her diagnosis with vitiligo. Vitiligo is a skin condition in which patches of skin lose their pigment, resulting in visibly lighter or white areas. It occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin — the pigment that gives skin its color. This condition is particularly noticeable on darker skin tones due to the sharp contrast.

Yes, this story is a little bit old, but this took place last year whilst our website was under a viscous hack so we must have missed it then, however, there is so much to learn from this. Before her diagnosis, Justicia was a viral sensation, known for her petite figure and curvy frame — a combination that saw her traveling around the world for various modeling and promotional opportunities. Like many influencers, she gained attention and popularity through provocative content, which often leads to brand collaborations and endorsement deals.

She worked with notable Ghanaian brands such as BootyBankGh, Yango, and a number of pharmaceutical and beauty companies including Diclolex, My Body Secrets, and more. Her social media was also peppered with glamorous date night photos and hanging out in hotels and hotel poolside, which — as is often the case with influencers — sparked questions about the true source of her income. Nevertheless, Justicia’s professional engagements were clearly visible across her platform.

More Articles You Would Love

In early 2024, Justicia relocated to the UK to further her education. It was shortly after this life transition that she was diagnosed with vitiligo. At first, she chose to conceal her condition under makeup in every image she posted — until, on June 18th, she courageously went public with the news.

In a short 30-second video, Justicia documented the progression of her skin condition across three clips. The overlay text read: “POV: You are watching your skin lose color because of vitiligo.” In the caption, she wrote:

“I was diagnosed with vitiligo on 15/05/24 and it’s been hard accepting it — especially watching your skin lose its color and knowing there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it!!! Will I turn all white one day?? Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder in which pigment is lost from areas of the skin, causing whitish patches, often with no clear cause, and it can affect you at any age in your life. It’s said to be hereditary but no one in my family on either side has it, so for me I’d say it’s not hereditary!! There’s a higher possibility that I can lose all my color and become all white, but there’s also a possibility that I can regain most of my color back.”

“Ps: Vitiligo is NOT bleaching!!! Let’s be guided. I’ve always loved my dark skin and would never bleach.”

The video left her fans in awe — many offered support and praised her bravery. Comments poured in with affirmations like “You’re still beautiful regardless ❤️” and “You are so beautiful, Queen 😍.” But unfortunately, the reaction wasn’t all positive.

A number of white male followers — many of whom had previously left flattering comments on her more provocative images — began mocking her condition. Comments ranged from racially insensitive jokes to outright offensive stereotypes. One user, @Danfunnel, wrote “When you haven’t stolen anything for a while,” implying that her skin was turning white because she was no longer engaging in theft — a disturbing racial trope. Others followed suit: “Day 10 without stealing” (@qwinn_09), “What happens when you go no stealing for a month” (@msmeym), and “Her pass is expiring” (@fauc0n1) — all suggesting her Blackness, or the rights they perceive as associated with it, were fading. One user even stated “Rights loading…”, a thinly veiled reference to white privilege.

The very same white men who once praised her beauty now used her skin condition as a punchline. This behavior serves as a painful reminder to many women that behind the likes and follows can lurk toxic and harmful perceptions waiting for an opportunity to surface.

SEE COMMENTS BELOW

Despite the cruelty, Justicia’s decision to go public with her vitiligo diagnosis is nothing short of courageous. She has already begun using her platform to collaborate with makeup artists and brands, showcasing how vitiligo can be covered up when desired — with stunning results. But the real power may lie in her embracing her skin without concealing it at all.

If she continues down this path, Mummy Yo could very well become a symbol of strength and self-acceptance for many other women battling with similar conditions — much like the world-renowned model Winnie Harlow, whom we’ve consistently celebrated here on FashionGHANA.com.

No two cases of vitiligo are the same. Some might say Winnie Harlow was blessed with a visually captivating pattern, while others may argue that Winnie made her vitiligo beautiful by owning it. The real question now is — can Mummy Yo do the same? Can she transform public perception of her skin into a new standard of beauty? Only time will tell, this is also a testament to many ladies who place all their eggs in one basket and feel beyond empowered due to their beauty. Always keep an open mind, anything can happen.