Young Coffs Harbour TikTok star Monroe Mills meets music sensation Lizzo, exposes online bullying
Coffs Harbour’s Monroe Mills – the little girl allergic to the sun – says she’s just trying to live her best life, and has been encouraged to keep going by megastar performer Lizzo.
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Monroe Mills is made of stern stuff – and determined to fight through the cruel words thrown at her on social media.
The 11-year-old Coffs Harbour girl has bravely called out online bullies who have slammed her singing videos on Instagram and TikTok.
Now, she’s received encouragement to be who she wants to be by superstar American performer Lizzo.
Monroe and her mum Sarah Mills were in the crowd at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena when Lizzo noticed a sign the little girl was holding: “Please help me show my haters I’m 100% that bitch”.
The diva invited Monroe to join her on stage and delivered a heartfelt message that “you’re beautiful and talented and incredible”.
Monroe was encouraged to pull off some of her own dance moves, much to the crowd’s delight.
But the backstory to this moment of fame is online harassment, which often takes place well away from the public glare.
Monroe – who suffers rare medical conditions which can cause her skin to break out in hives when exposed to ultraviolet light – revealed the “mean” comments posted on her singing posts had stung.
“They just say things like I’m not good enough and I should quit,” Monroe said.
But she hasn’t and she won’t – and after the chance encounter with Lizzo is more determined than ever to one day be a performer in her own right.
“I love Lizzo so much and she said she loves me and to just keep going,” Monroe said.
Monroe’s mum Sarah said some of the vile words hurled at her daughter were personal, with one commenting on the youngster’s teeth.
That’s a particularly low blow for a little girl keenly aware that she looks different, having had to wear sun suits when outdoors to shield her from the rays.
Thankfully, Monroe’s dual conditions of photo aggravated eczema and solar urticaria have become less onerous.
Ms Mills said Monroe could be outside through winter, while limited exposure to the sun in summer could be managed.
A change in diet and natural therapies have also produced “some improvement”.
“The main thing is that she is older now and can tell us when she needs to go in the shade,” Ms Mills said.
The brief meeting with Lizzo has also proven the perfect pick-me-up.
“I made the sign and thought I might get a wave or a hello,” Monroe said.
“I was so shocked (when asked to come up to the stage).
“I was nervous but also very excited.”
The rap phenom had some sage advice: “You could be the greatest dancer in the world – you have so much time.”
Monroe has taken that on-board.
“I hope other boys and girls feel inspired to chase their dreams and not let anyone bully you away from reaching for the stars,” she said.
* You can follow Monroe on Instagram (monroearia2012) and Tiktok (Sarah & Monroe)
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