![]() ![]() When superstar singer Kelly Clarkson was digitally slimmed down almost beyond recognition on Self’s September 2009 cover, people noticed. Read more about our thoughts on Seventeen here. The teen magazine decided to feature that as a teaser on the cover, right above a much larger headline for “Get an Insane Body - It’s hard, but you’ll look hot!” This juxtaposition of providing an outlet for a young actress to open up to young fans about a disorder that “ripped her life apart” next to a story promoting the thin ideals that drive many girls and women to such extremes in eating is appallingly irresponsible. The February 2014 cover of Seventeen featured “Pretty Little Liars” star Troian Bellisario, who opened up about her past problems with an eating disorder. 2014 cover of Seventeen, featuring Troian Bellisario Here are a couple interesting (and appalling) case studies from Seventeen and Self magazines to showcase this very issue: Though we hear about digital manipulation controversies all the time (check out our Photoshopping Phoniness Hall of Shame for tons of examples), media executives and producers continue to use it to an unbelievable extent and they violently defend it as a perfectly acceptable thing to do. This unrealistic form is consistently represented across almost all media forms, along with blemish-free, wrinkle-free, and even pore-free skin, thanks to the wonders of digital manipulation as an “industry standard” that is openly endorsed and defended by magazine editors and media makers the world over. Essentially, “the feminine ideal is tanned, healthy slenderness, with no unsightly bumps, bulges or cellulite, and bodily and facial perfection that results from hours of labor: exercise, makeup and hair care” (Coward, 1985) – and 30 years later, plastic surgery and Photoshop. One of the main strategies used to reinforce and normalize a distorted idea of “average” is media’s representation of women as extremely thin (meaning much thinner than the actual population or what is physically possible for the vast majority of women) – either by consistent use of models and actresses that are underweight or extremely thin, or by making the models and actresses fit their idea of ideal thinness and beauty through digital manipulation both on screen through computer-generated imagery (CGI - shown in the Britney Spears music video example) and in print media. Whichever side of the fence you're on, Huda's post has certainly started a thought-provoking conversation.A before-and-after image from Britney Spears’ 2013 “Work B****” music video obtained by the Daily Mail, which shows the digital slim-down Britney’s body received via CGI. ![]() And that’s before you even talk about all the hours of hair and makeup for the shoot and setting her up in the best possible lighting." It just serves to continue to reinforce unrealistic beauty standards. "There will be plenty of people who just see the billboards and not the post. ![]() I don’t think this is groundbreaking because if she’s going to carry on, yes she’s been transparent, but only for people who follow her on Instagram. The unnamed beauty enthusiast continued on to say, "I don’t think that just sharing the process is enough when she made it seem like she intends to carry on doing this, especially when the difference is so stark, adding abs and slimming her face. They even Photoshopped her make-up and I can’t help but wonder whether that would break advertising guidelines, if it misrepresented what the products are capable of creating." One anonymous Huda fan told Cosmopolitan: "While I applaud Huda for her transparency and it’s really refreshing to see, I feel a bit conflicted that this was for an advert for some of her brand’s products. However, others weren't happy that the image in question was used as part of an ad campaign. Grateful you share your behind the scenes." Model Nilam Holmes added, "It’s hard when people tell you to be YOU then criticise you for doing just that □ I think you are perfect as you are ❤️ saying that I’m sure most of us would probably admit we feel nicer with a little filter and edit. Many were quick to jump in the comments and praise the MUA and influencer for showing both pictures, with one writing, "Love that you’re showing us what’s real and what’s not! You don’t need photoshop! You’re perfect either way! Love you queen." At the end of the day you have to do what makes you feel good and showing myself in all aspects is personally important to me to help shape a more honest beauty narrative." "Its truly difficult when I choose not to edit I get called fat and if I ever choose to edit, i'm called fake. "To be completely honest guys, I do feel uncomfortable showing belly rolls, and moments where my flaws are highlighted, especially on social where things are so perfect," she continued. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |