Bekah Martinez, known for her appearance on “The Bachelor,” recently opened up about her decision to stop shaving her legs for the past seven years. In a candid Instagram post, the 30-year-old shared a screenshot of a message she received that read, “Your face doesn’t jive with your hairy legs,” which sparked her reflection on body image and societal expectations.
Martinez, who is engaged to Grayston Leonard and is a mother of three, explained that this journey began during her first pregnancy. She wanted to set an example for her children, teaching them that body hair is a natural and normal aspect of being human. “I stopped shaving when I was pregnant with my first child. I wanted my daughter (and my future sons) to see that hair on a woman’s body is normal. Not shameful. Not gross,” she wrote.
Her decision was not solely for her children; it was also a personal journey towards self-acceptance. Martinez recalled how, from a young age, she felt pressured to conform to societal beauty standards. “I started sneaking my mom’s razors in 3rd grade. I remember praying to God that he’d remove all my hair from the neck down,” she shared. The teasing from family, friends, and even teachers only reinforced her feelings of shame about her body hair.
In her post, she emphasized the importance of embracing one’s natural self, stating, “It wasn’t just for my kids. It was for me. I wanted to consciously work through the disgust I had in my natural body.” While she admitted that she still struggles with feelings of embarrassment in certain situations, she has found the power of acceptance far more liberating than the shame she once felt.
Martinez’s message resonated with many, especially as she highlighted the positive impact her choice has had on her daughter. “And when Ruth points and says, ‘Mom, my legs look like yours,’ without an ounce of shame, it is all worth it,” she concluded.
Her fiancé, Grayston, supports her decision, and she humorously noted, “And for the record, Gray went to a liberal arts college in Oregon, so he’s had his fair share of gross razor-less women.” This light-hearted comment reflects the couple’s strong bond and mutual respect for each other’s choices.
Bekah Martinez’s journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-acceptance and challenging societal norms. In a world that often pressures individuals to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, her story encourages others to embrace their true selves, hair and all.