Lele Pons is praised for being ‘so real’ after posting a photo of her cellulite

Lele Pons is celebrating the beauty of her natural body.

The 26-year-old social media star, actress and singer put her cellulite on display in a series of photos she posted on Instagram. Instead of sharing posed and edited versions of the pictures for her 52.2 million followers, she opted for the real deal in the name of body positivity.

The post received a lot of love from friends and fans of Pons, including those who thanked her for creating a space where they could embrace their bodies.

"Tears. You know how many years I've spent thinking I was some weird freak because I never saw this anywhere? Thank you," one person commented. Another wrote, "You are so real ! I love that you make all the girls understand that this is all part of life and that perfection doesn't exist!"

Pons came to prominence on the short form video app Vine before the platform was shut down in 2016. The Venezuelan-American creator was ranked as the 3rd most popular on the app and continued to build a following on YouTube and other social media platforms. She recently married Puerto Rican rapper Guaynaa in a wedding attended by stars including Paris Hilton, Anitta, Camila Cabello, Diplo and Steve Aoki.

Aside from her notoriety among big name celebrities, Pons is influential within the community that she's built and hasn't been shy about using that influence for meaningful messages about body image over the past year.

She first shared the words "embrace your cellulite" in April 2022 with a similar Instagram post showing off the natural dimples on her thighs and butt.

"Exposing myself," she wrote in the caption. "I’ve always been super insecure when it comes to my cellulite! I try to hide it as much as i can and edit them out…. But today im [sic] not gonna do it! This is my natural self. Who cares if others judge… Embrace who you are and be confident."

The photos received over 2.5 million likes from people who celebrated her raw appearance, as well as the admittance that she had tried for so long to hide it. "You are the most honest influencer," someone commented at the time. "You raise my self-esteem. You're beautiful."

Pons has since posted a number of other photos flaunting her body as it is for followers who share their appreciation for her openness.

"Women are perfect just the way we are," one person wrote.

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