Shivangi Joshi on lifelong acne struggle: 'Don't want to show my face'
Synopsis
Shivangi Joshi's candid moment on Lock Upp cuts through reality-TV noise: the actress, who faced years of online trolling over her acne, revealed she empathised with rival Shreya Kalra's facial allergy precisely because she knows what it feels like to not want to show your face. It is a rare, unscripted admission of vulnerability from one of Indian television's most-watched stars.
Key Takeaways
Shivangi Joshi revealed on Lock Upp that she has battled facial acne and skin insecurities throughout her life.
She said Shreya Kalra 's repeated 'Annabelle' comparisons had genuinely hurt her.
Despite the hurt, Shivangi said she empathised with Shreya when the latter developed a facial allergy during the show.
She also defended daily soap actors after remarks allegedly made by Shreya and Shilpa disparaging the genre.
Shivangi had previously faced online trolling over visible acne marks during her stint on Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai .
Television actress Shivangi Joshi has opened up about battling facial acne and skin insecurities throughout her life, making the candid revelation during a conversation on the reality show Lock Upp. The actress said she deeply understands how appearance-related remarks can affect a person's confidence.
The Annabelle Remark and Its Impact
The disclosure came during a discussion with fellow contestant Ram Kapoor about the controversy surrounding Shreya Kalra, who had repeatedly referred to Shivangi as 'Annabelle' — a reference to the haunted doll from the popular horror film franchise. Shivangi said the repeated comparisons had genuinely hurt her.
'When Shreya got an allergy on her face, I tried my best to make her feel comfortable. Somebody who knows how insecure you are about your face... I have had this acne and all these skin problems all my life. I know how insecure I am about all these things,' she said on the show.
Empathy Born from Personal Struggle
Rather than retaliating, Shivangi explained that her own experience with skin issues made her empathise with Shreya when the latter developed a facial allergy during the show. She said she could relate to anyone who felt reluctant to be seen in public due to skin concerns.
'So, I can understand if someone is going through something and feels like, ‘I don’t want to show my face.’ Then people make fun of my face and my make-up. It’s so hurtful,' she added.
Defending Daily Soap Actors
Shivangi also took exception to remarks allegedly made by Shreya and another contestant, Shilpa, about television daily soaps, questioning why such work was looked down upon. She pointed out that Shreya herself had come from the daily soap circuit.
'Even when they were talking about Harshad and daily soap acting, I was like, ‘Is doing daily soaps a bad thing?’ You are also from daily soaps,' she said, noting that Shreya had reportedly admitted to giving several auditions without success.
Background: Online Trolling Over Acne
This is not the first time Shivangi's skin has been a subject of public attention. The actress, best known for her long-running role in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, had previously faced online trolling over visible acne marks during episodes of the show. Her candid admission on Lock Upp marks one of the first times she has addressed the issue directly and at length.
Her remarks have resonated widely, drawing attention to the persistent stigma around skin conditions in the entertainment industry — and the outsized scrutiny actors, particularly women, face over their appearance.
Point of View
Mental health, and appearance pressure remains far behind where it needs to be.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Shivangi Joshi reveal on Lock Upp about her skin?
Shivangi Joshi disclosed on Lock Upp that she has struggled with facial acne and skin insecurities her entire life, saying she deeply understands the feeling of not wanting to show one's face. The admission came during a conversation about fellow contestant Shreya Kalra's 'Annabelle' remarks.
What is the 'Annabelle' controversy on Lock Upp?
Contestant Shreya Kalra had repeatedly referred to Shivangi Joshi as 'Annabelle,' a reference to the haunted doll from the horror film franchise. Shivangi said the repeated comparison hurt her, though she chose empathy over retaliation when Shreya later developed a facial allergy.
Why did Shivangi Joshi empathise with Shreya Kalra's facial allergy?
Shivangi said her own lifelong experience with acne and skin problems made her understand what it feels like to be insecure about one's face. She said she tried her best to make Shreya feel comfortable despite the earlier hurtful remarks.
Was Shivangi Joshi trolled for acne before Lock Upp?
Yes. Shivangi, known for her role in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, had previously faced online trolling over visible acne marks during episodes of the show. Her Lock Upp statement is one of the first times she has addressed this publicly and directly.
What did Shivangi Joshi say about daily soap actors?
Shivangi pushed back against remarks allegedly made by Shreya and Shilpa that appeared to look down on daily soap acting, questioning why it was considered inferior. She pointed out that Shreya herself came from the daily soap world and had reportedly auditioned for such roles.
