Woman Transformation Into Vampire

Maria Jose Cristerna, a former attorney and mother of four, transformed herself into the Vampire Woman through extreme body modification including tattoos,steel implants and dental work to make her teeth look like fangs as a way to deal with an abusive childhood. She currently uses her appearance as a way to bring attention to the issue of domestic abuse.

She has developed her artistic talents into a new career as a tattoo artist, and attends several industry conventions annually, including some in California.She is in her thirties, and spends much of her time raising her children. Although not the most pierced or tattooed woman in the world, her body mods have made Maria famous, and a wax likeness of her has been added to the “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” Museum.  She continues to modify her appearance, and says that her new image and its artistic components are symbols of freedom and strength.

At first people were interested in my looks because it was cool, because it attracts attention and because it’s something different,” she said. “But I see it as something good among all the bad, because I’m giving a message. I won’t be able to change the thinking of the entire world, but I’m always there to help the people that need it.”