Cancer sufferer, 13, is CoverGirl's honorary face

TALIA Joy Castellano, 13, a cancer sufferer who became a YouTube star thanks to her make-up video tutorials, is now the honorary face of American cosmetics brand CoverGirl.

The beauty giant released a campaign-style image bearing her face yesterday, one month after the teen learnt of the news during an interview with talkshow host Ellen DeGeneres, reported the Daily Mail.

Talia, who developed an interest in make-up when she was first diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma on Valentine's Day in 2007, has attracted over 14 million viewers to her video blog.

The cancer is a tumour that develops from nerve tissue in infants and children.

A few months ago, however, Talia announced she has "neuroblastoma and leukemia at the same time". She said that although the chances of surviving are slim, she will continue her videos "for as long as I can".

Despite the harrowing diagnosis, Talia was bursting with positive energy when she appeared on the DeGeneres show.

Clearly in awe of the host and the standing ovation she received, her eyes welled up at the beginning.

"I'm shaking. I love you so much!" she exclaimed.

Indeed, when asked how she stays so positive, Talia quoted a line DeGeneres used in her role as Dory in Finding Nemo.

"When people ask me that, what do you want me to do, be depressed?" she said.

"I mean a little fishy told me, 'Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!'"

DeGeneres, in turn praised Talia, saying: "I'll keep telling you that too. I'm so glad that a fish told you that."

Talia said her make-up tutorials were conceived out of her distaste for wearing wigs. "I don't like wigs... When I have on a wig I feel, not fake, just not me.

" When I put on my make-up I feel like I can embrace those features that I really like about myself. I feel if someone's looking at me, they're looking at my make-up, not looking at my bald head.

"Having cancer has been a gift but it's a horrible, horrible thing," she said.

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