Sharing His Story
Billy Corgan has started to talk about the birthmarks he’s had since he was a kid to support body positivity.
He felt encouraged by Carlotta Bertotti, a model with a facial birthmark, to speak out. “I’m a fan of body positivity movements because at the end of the day it is about celebrating what makes us ‘us,’” he said on Instagram. He shared her picture, praising her grace in embracing her difference.
Reflecting on his past, Corgan admitted he used to hide his birthmarks due to relentless teasing during childhood. Even long-time acquaintances are often surprised when they notice them.
People sometimes stop him on the street, not recognizing him but worrying about his health because of the birthmarks.
“Whoever you are, I hope you find peace with who you are because: I would like to know that person and no one else,” he wrote, leaving a positive message.
Port wine stains, or "nevus flammeus," are birthmarks present from birth that can become more pronounced over time. They result from stretched capillaries, though the exact cause is unknown.
Fans might remember his birthmark most prominently from the cover of his 2005 solo album, TheFutureEmbrace, where he frames his face with his hands. Despite this, he rarely discussed it publicly, except in a 1995 interview archived on Starla.org, where he talked about feeling like a “freak” during his childhood.
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Corgan once shared, “I have a really big birthmark on my left hand, which as an adult is obviously not that important, but as a child you feel like you have a completely deformed arm.” He explained how it made him feel different despite being fully functional and normal.
Corgan and his band recently released their 13th album, Aghori Mhori Mei. They are currently touring North America, mainly supporting Green Day.
