Melissa Sloan, a 47-year-old mother from Kidderminster, is known for being one of Britain’s most tattooed individuals. With over 800 bold tattoos covering her body, Melissa has faced judgment and discrimination from others, making it difficult for her to find employment and causing people to stare at her in the streets.
During Halloween, Melissa faces even more challenges as children are often scared of her appearance. She shared that she doesn’t need a Halloween costume because her tattoos are enough to scare the kids. This makes it hard for her to fully enjoy the spooky season with her own children, as some neighbors are afraid to answer the door when she takes her kids out trick-or-treating.
Melissa often has to hide in the bushes or down the road while her kids go trick-or-treating, as she is aware of the reactions she might receive from others. She has also experienced children running off or avoiding her house altogether when she opens the door to give out sweets. This has led her to feel upset and isolated during what should be a fun and festive time.
Despite the challenges she faces, Melissa continues to embrace her unique appearance and sees her tattoos as a form of self-expression and creativity. She has been banned from certain venues and avoids going food shopping due to the unwanted attention she receives. Melissa now wears makeup to cover up her face tattoos when she’s out in public, in an attempt to avoid judgment and discrimination.
Melissa hopes that people will one day understand and accept her for who she is, beyond her tattoos. She believes that her ink is a part of her identity and a way to share her creativity with the world. Despite the difficulties she faces, Melissa remains true to herself and encourages others to look beyond appearances and embrace individuality and self-expression.
