I watched the weak premised, semi-self reflexive, self esteem-based finale of Bridalplasty last night and honestly I wasn't impressed. They still reinforce the idea of perfection, but somehow tie it to a brides desire to have the perfect wedding- somehow more acceptable? Then they add a more social aspect where a bunch of pathetic celebrity-worshipping idiots try to persuade each other that they have personalities. P.S: the host of the show is some quasi-celebrity that I've never heard of, and the girls were way too impressed to see her.
Double P.S: The show also featured "Alexandra"- some girl who got voted first off The Biggest Loser- and whose boyfriend proposed to her "ON TV!"- clearly she is addicted to reality game shows.
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| The former picture features Bridalplasty and the latter The Swan. Does Bridalplasty really look any less gross? |
Yes, The Swan was a horribly messaged, fragile self esteem destroying eye-bruiser. But that's why we watched it. Just because we don't televise it, doesn't mean this mess doesn't exist, and the people's motivations to do this aren't real.
Why is it TV and the fashion industry's jobs are now to cater to our self esteem? If we're buying into their unrealistic bodies and damaging plot lines then obviously something about it resonates with us.
Today I even saw a disclaimer on The Shopping Bags's new show Anna and Kristina's Beauty Call- a show where Anna and Kristina attempt to dress a random girl for a challenge and are rated on their success to flatter her color palette and body type- and usually fail miserably.
The disclaimer read something like: These are our opinions (read: Sorry if you're old and we dissed a piece of outdated clothing that's hanging in your closet) and It's the beauty on the inside that counts (read: incase you only watch the fashion network to search for lawsuits-we've just outsmarted you).
If you know me, you probably know that I despise Dove's campaign for real beauty. Firstly, they're a health product company :deodorants, soaps and moisturizers, they have no business showing people with glowing skin and pitting themselves against people that sell beauty products. They're selling health, and while health is beautiful, it's easy for them to display the effects of their product without adhering to the conventions of our society.
Secondly, my self-esteem doesn't depend on what people who are trying to sell me soap tell me.
I feel that given the opportunity, people will respond to what's real. If at any point models start to look malnourished- people won't respond to the advertisements- they won't be able to relate to them. We don't need body fat percentage regulations on the fashion industry because it's really self moderating.
Furthermore, I expect the people modeling my clothes to have unattainable bodies. It's their job whether it's healthy or not. I doubt being a lawyer is very healthy at all, what with the little sleep ridiculous amount of stress and disturbing scenarios but if it's what they want- I expect them to do a stellar job of it. Besides, everybody knows that these people are have had surgery and are heavily photoshopped, hell, we in CreComm study the photoshop methods it takes to make them look that way- why would we ever let it get to us?
Bring back The Swan! - you all know you watched it.
Watching the second link, the girl was by no means unattractive- it was however obvious that she was tired, and she hadn't showered. I'm sure this poor self esteem comes from within and not from her appearance and pressure from outward sources, because it looks like she didn't even value herself enough to keep herself clean when she's appearing on TV.
Season 2 Swan Finale- Listen for the spin that the host puts on it- gross.
This one features the complete transformation of a sad girl.
i feel like i just lost a year off my life after watching that video. Poor Christie. At least her outside reflects her inside... Fake.
ReplyDeleteLooks fade, in ways that liposuction, face lifts, and botox can't fix.
but who gives a crap?! we're young, might as well look good.
ha.