Martina Big, a 36-year-old glamour model from Germany, has drawn international attention for dramatically altering her appearance and identifying as Black—despite being born white. In 2019, she took part in a baptism ceremony in Kenya, where she was given the Swahili name Malaika Kubwa, meaning “Big Angel.” She told FEMAIL that this religious milestone was a powerful moment in her personal journey, which began in 2017 after she began using Melanotan injections to darken her skin, claiming, “it’s better to be Black.”
Big and her husband, Michael Eurwen, also white by birth, both used the hormone to change their skin tone. While Michael developed a moderate tan, Martina says that just three doses turned her skin completely dark. Since then, she has spent around £67,000 transforming her physical features—including her skin, eyes, and hair—to match what she describes as her “Black identity.” Her transformation has been widely criticized, with many accusing her of cultural appropriation and engaging in Blackface.
Nonetheless, Big insists that she now fully sees herself as a Black woman and considers herself a “bridge” between racial groups. She has traveled to Africa three times and says she receives emails from people asking for advice on altering their own looks. Responding to criticism, she claims to be simply living her truth and wants to foster better understanding between communities.
Martina’s physical transformation has also included numerous cosmetic surgeries such as rhinoplasty, liposuction, and multiple breast augmentations—procedures she says she will continue. She previously sparked outrage by suggesting that her future children would have dark skin due to her transformation, a claim many questioned.
Martina Big’s story continues to generate controversy and discussion about race, identity, and the boundaries of personal transformation.
