Rajee Narinesingh: How One Woman Overcame a Nightmare to Inspire Others

Rajee Narinesingh, a transgender woman, became widely known in the mid-2000s after receiving illegal black-market cosmetic procedures that caused devastating physical damage — and earned her the cruel nickname “Cement Face” in the media.

Her story began when Rajee, who was assigned male at birth and raised in Philadelphia, realized at a young age that she identified as a woman. Determined to live in a body that matched her identity, she began pursuing gender-affirming treatments. But like many in the trans community, she faced serious financial barriers when it came to medical care and plastic surgery.

In 2005, Rajee turned to the black market, where she met Oneal Ron Morris — later infamously known as the “toxic tush doctor.” Morris claimed to be a plastic surgeon, but instead injected Rajee with a dangerous cocktail of cement, superglue, and tire sealant. These substances were injected into her face, breasts, hips, and buttocks for just $100 per session. Between 2007 and 2010, Rajee endured ten of these procedures.

The consequences were heartbreaking. Her face became severely deformed, with hard, unnatural lumps forming under her skin. Her once bright spirit was buried beneath layers of trauma, shame, and physical pain.

But Rajee refused to give up.

In 2012, she began working with Dr. John Martin at Coral Gables Cosmetic Reconstructive Surgery in Florida. Through a series of treatments including laser therapy and softening injections, Dr. Martin helped reduce the damage and slowly gave Rajee her confidence back.

Then, in 2016, Rajee appeared on the hit TV show Botched, where she underwent four surgeries in seven weeks to remove as much of the toxic material from her body as possible. Though some nodules remained in her breasts and buttocks, the transformation gave her a new lease on life.

“For the first time in years,” Rajee said, “I could look in the mirror and see myself again.”

Rajee’s journey from victim to survivor has made her an important voice in the transgender community. She shares her story to raise awareness about the dangers of black-market procedures and the need for accessible, safe healthcare for trans people.

In 2017, Oneal Ron Morris was sentenced to 10 years in prison after one of her patients died from similar injections. Though Morris claimed to have been released early, Rajee said she wasn’t due to be out until 2026. Recently, Morris reached out to Rajee on Instagram asking for forgiveness — and Rajee, showing incredible grace, accepted her apology.

Today, Rajee Narinesingh is not only a survivor — she’s an advocate, a speaker, and a symbol of strength and healing. Her story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of love, acceptance, and safe, affordable care for all.

We’re inspired by her courage and wish her nothing but happiness and peace in the next chapter of her life.