Liberty Poole has been praised by fans for sharing a gorgeous unedited bikini pic – and speaking out about the pressure on women to look a certain way.

Taking to Instagram, the Love Island star shared three photos on Sunday, May 21: one of her taken a few weeks ago in Ibiza and two of her from before she went into the Love Island villa two years ago, including an image she says was 'severely' edited.

Liberty admits that she previously posted the edited photo as she felt she needed to make her waist smaller and make her tan darker, in order to be more attractive – but said she wants to speak out about the expectations society set for women and encourage greater self-acceptance.

"Please appreciate this is a really scary thing for me to post. The first picture is me the other week in Ibiza size 10 confident in my curves. Slide two is me eight months prior to going on Love Island I was around size 6-8. The left picture is unedited the one to the right is what I posted on my Instagram. I couldn't find the exact picture to match as this was two and a half years ago," she said.

"It's scary to think I didn't see how severe I was editing my pictures from decreasing my waist to this size and don't get me wrong I love a tan but the fact I felt the need to edit it onto my body and completely change my skin tone I look back and think it's so unhealthy.

"My point is, it's really not about how skinny we are or how big we are or what we look like etc. it's about self-acceptance."

Liberty continued: "This is why tomorrow [May 22] I am starting my mini IGTV [Instagram TV] series on Instagram 'Second Skin' to delve deeper into social pressures and many other topics to challenge our thinking.

"I've always wanted my platform to be a safe space for people and I feel like by talking about this on my Instagram with you guys is going to help make social media a safer place, also it's something I want you to be a part of so if you guys want to share your story on toxic habits, life-changing moments, overcoming an insecurity, what we face into today's society do not hesitate to DM."

Later, she took to her Instagram Stories to give an insight into why she has spoken out. "I don't want people to look at that post and think it's me saying 'oh look at me now, I've put a bit of weight on,' like 'I'm so much healthier' because that's not the case. People still get skinny-shamed, people get fat-shamed, like people for all sorts of reasons get shamed.

"What that post is for me, is me saying even though I was this size, I still felt this need to reach these beauty standards that aren't even realistic and what I'm trying to say with that post is that it's not about size or how you look, it's about self-acceptance and really accepting who you are inside and out and embracing tat that. That's why I'm starting the series on Instagram."

"The reason I chose to call it Second Skin is because second skin is like a barrier we put on or a mask that we put on, hiding what's really going on deep down," she added. "And I just feel like it's not my series, it's our series, I want to speak to real people about real things they've been through."

Liberty added that she's decided to do her series as an IGTV series rather than a podcast or using another platform because she wants her Instagram page to become a "safe space" for people to talk about the challenges they're facing and society's unrealistic expectations.

She said that when she first downloaded Instagram back in 2015, she "struggled with self-esteem" and found herself comparing herself and her body to other women on the platform – and she doesn't want anyone to feel the way she felt.

Fans have praised Liberty for starting a dialogue on the pressure on people to look a certain way and the way in which many people feel they need to edit their pictures to meet expectations of them.

"Massive respect addressing this subject we are all guilty of editing pictures but it's destroying our youth manifesting in serious mental health conditions. Using your platform to address this topic is extremely brave, fair play," said one fan.

"These unfiltered pictures are giving me life Liberty!" said another. "If only more young influencers/role models kept it real like you are now! There would be so much less body negativity and insecurities. You look fab and curvy xx"

"Love this. Don't be afraid. We need more honesty on social media," added another. "Miss Liberty you are beautiful and curvaceous, no changes are needed. Your Second Skin series is gonna be so awesome for this generation to see you will be the voice of change and acceptance," added another.

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