Meryl Williams, who triumphed in the first series of the BBC's hit show The Traitors, has opened up about spending a portion of her prize money on cosmetic surgery, following years of enduring cruel abuse about her appearance.
From Prize Pot to Personal Empowerment
The 28-year-old reality star, who was born with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, shared the £101,000 prize pot with fellow winners Aaron Evans and Hannah Byczkowski. She has now revealed that she invested some of her winnings in a forehead reduction and a breast augmentation to address deep-seated insecurities.
Meryl explained her decision stems from a desire to finally feel confident and proportionate in her own body. "I'm not a child and I want to feel sexy," she told The Sun, emphasising her quest for self-confidence.
A History of Heartbreaking Public Abuse
Her choice follows traumatic experiences of public bullying. Last year, Meryl recounted a horrific incident where she was forced to hide in a train toilet after being targeted by four teenagers.
"They got on the train, they sat opposite me... they've said that I need a step ladder to get on the train... I'm a midget, they've watched dwarf throwing," she shared in a social media video. The bullies also took photos and videos of her, mocked her physical features, and laughed at her.
This abuse led her to often avoid long train journeys for fear of repeat encounters. Following the incident, she urged the public to "be nicer and kinder" to anyone who is different or has a disability.
Investing in Confidence and Raising Awareness
Meryl underwent the forehead reduction surgery, also known as a hairline lowering procedure, at the GBA London clinic with Dr Greg Bran. She shared marked-up pre-surgery photos and the final results with her followers, stating it dealt with one of her "biggest insecurities".
This was not her first surgery; she had a corrective spinal operation in 2011 and a breast reduction at age 16. She has now also had an augmentation and uplift, clarifying that she loves her body but the changes would help her confidence.
Meryl originally joined The Traitors to challenge perceptions and raise awareness of her condition. "The whole reason why I wanted to go on the show was to raise awareness," she said on Good Morning Britain in 2023. She wanted to prove she could compete on a level playing field in all challenges.
Her journey highlights the lasting impact of public cruelty and the personal steps individuals take to reclaim their confidence and comfort in their own skin.
