Welcome back you! Or if you're only new, where were you for the first one??? Anyways, we're all here discuss how reality tv stars influence ordinary people to modify their appearance. Whether this be from digitally modifying the shape of their nose on facetune to plastic surgery, do you ever feel pressured to change your appearance after seeing social media posts of others? Let's figure out who & what is influencing these individuals!
Let's chat about the influence of reality shows on everyday people, there seems to be a new one each day that I can't keep up... with the Kardashians (I know, I had to!). Do you watch any reality tv shows?The choice ranges from KUWK, Love Island, Selling Sunset, Too hot to handle... the list goes on forever. I hate admitting I love some of them as you get the side eye of some people but I am sure they are watching reruns of Coronation Street for fun, sorry to the corrie fans reading I am just a diehard EastEnders fan! I definitely feel the rise in reality tv popularity, especially KUWK, has increased the pressure for everyday people to achieve 'body goals' which is utterly impossible in some circumstances without a qualified plastic surgeon, a 24/7 personal trainer and a nutritionist and personal chef controlling their meals each day.
Two words: The Kardashian's. Yes, we all of know them for various reasons.. though we especially know what they look like. It seems that every plastic surgeon is thanking them, "Thank you Kardashian family... I owe you so much", stressing that the most popular reference photo is Kim's (Daily Beast, 2021). It is clear that these celebrities and influencers are creating an unhealthy trend as they continue to get procedures to make them appear 'perfect', without admitting their actions and crediting it to natural options. Whether it be the big lips, going all the way back to the Kylie Lip challenge in 2015.... I know you tried it, we all did unfortunately even with the extreme health risks. Or it may be the Brazilian butt lift to get the signature Kim K look which she credits extreme exercise too (head aggressively shaking). Although individuals may feel more confident after these procedures and if you are one of those people, then more power to you, if it is for positive reasons. There are more safer ways of achieving the body or look you want, makeup and exercise are definitely up there!
With the photo above, it is clear why the most dangerous procedure is the most popular globally. With Kim's 259 million Instagram followers, the pressure to look 'perfect' online is resolved easily quicker through the Brazilian Butt Lift, though it has the highest risks in terms of cosmetic surgery's. "The morality rate from BBL is estimated at 1 in 3,000 to 5,000", this procedure is not widely available in the UK due to extreme risks (Fulvio Urso-Bairda, 2020). The main risk is that "the injected fat can cause a blockage in a blood vessel in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)" which could result in death (NHS, 2021). Even with these risks, people are still paying thousands over many intense sessions to achieve the Kim K signature look. Is it really worth the risk that it holds? If the procedure is done incorrectly it can leave clients with extremely botched proportions leaving the client in extreme discomfort.
I am sure most people reading this blog have Instagram, an app that is basically to show off to other people what you are up to. Whether its posting holiday bikini pics or the long awaited night out with the girls, one thing is for sure...we all want the photos to look good! Have you ever thought of why we strive so hard to ensure our photos get the most likes or are aesthetically pleasing? I have found myself retaking selfies until the point I do not like any of the 5000 I have took which can definitely create a negative mindset towards your appearance.
Many of the 1.074 billion Instagram users have started using Facetune, this app allows a user to digitally modify their appearance such as slimming their waist to appear skinnier (Oberlo, 2021). It is easy to judge those who use these type of apps and post photos where they do not remotely look like themselves, though it is extremely sad that girls and boys feel the pressure to look a certain way to feel good about themselves. A new study discovered that 81% of respondents admitted they would never post a photo without editing themselves, due to an extreme amount of celebrities and influencers admitting to the use of the app it was perceived 'normal' (Grazia, 2020). With all of this editing and retouching, people may like the person who they see in a modified photo and create an illusion of this fake reality where they are the double of Khloe Kardashian. The perfect example of a false body advocate for her followers and beyond. A celebrity who tries hard to be 'relatable' to the everyday people's insecurities such as stretch marks or bloating, it is very clear she photoshops each Instagram post that her 190 million followers see. Surely this is unfair on young people viewing these posts, hoping one day their unhealthy habits will allow them to look like this?
Well written and very true. Women especially young women and more men are succumbing to the pressures of social media and the need to portray a perfect image.
ReplyDeleteThat is the biggest downfall of social media unfortunately. I hope it will change soon.
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