Celebrity Image and the Effects on Youth Essay Example

a significant role in promoting unhealthy body images, contributing to the increasing number of people with anorexia. According to a recent survey published in Psychology Today, the mass media greatly influences women's perception of thinness and beauty. Out of 3,452 female respondents, 23% admitted that movie or television celebrities influenced their body image during their youth and another 22% acknowledged being influenced by fashion magazine models.

According to Thompson (1999), only 13% of men and 6% of women reported being influenced by movie/television celebrities or fashion magazine models. The accessibility of websites like 'pro-ana' sites is noticeable among young people as a simple Google search for pro-ana yields many easily accessible results, including links to websites like www.pro-thinspo.com. These websites feature over 60 different galleries, showcasing extremely thin celebrities, with some images even being Photoshopped to make them look even thinner.

These websites glorify thin celebrities like the Olson twins and Nicole Ritchie, who are seen as role models. According to Nichter and Nichter's (1991) study, teenage girls perceive models in fashion magazines targeted at their age group as the perfect image. This perfect image is described as having blonde hair, blue eyes, being 5'7", weighing 100 pounds, and wearing a size 5. However, this ideal is dangerous because it is unrealistic for most girls. In fact, someone meeting this description would have a body mass index (BMI) of less than 16, indicating anorexia. Heinberg and Thompson (1992) found that exposure to images of thin celebrities caused young girls to unfavorably compare their own bodies and feel dissatisfied with themselves. This kind of thinking can start as early as age 12 when youths are more susceptible

to developing eating disorders.

However, it's not all negative. Celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, and Kim Kardashian are considered highly desirable women and praised by the media for their curvy figures. They frequently pose for men's magazines while endorsing multiple products at the same time.

These women have helped young people become more comfortable with their bodies by featuring curvier women on TV shows like "How to look good naked" and "What not to wear". These shows display images of curvier celebrities and praise their looks, normalizing larger sizes in society. Additionally, shows like "Extreme Makeover" offer individuals the opportunity to change aspects of their appearance that make them unhappy. Although low self-esteem and confidence are common issues for many young people, the chance to improve these should not necessarily be seen as negative. Most makeover shows demonstrate that participants are willing and grateful for the opportunity to transform themselves, resulting in positive outcomes that please both themselves and those close to them. However, even seemingly harmless makeover shows treat individuals as commodities by showcasing how they respond within a consumer-driven strategy.

According to Turner (2010), more and more celebrities are expressing concern about the media's promotion of unhealthy body images. Actress Kate Winslet recently spoke out against this trend, stating that Hollywood is creating a new generation of anorexics. She expressed her desire to encourage people to eat without guilt. However, it is important to consider whether celebrities bear sole responsibility for these issues. King, Touyz, and Charles (2000) conducted a study examining how female undergraduate students' own satisfaction with their physical appearance affects their perception of female celebrities' body image.

Female students were presented with distorted

images that showed some individuals as larger or smaller than their actual body size. The study revealed that women who were dissatisfied with their own body image perceived female celebrities as thinner or significantly "fatter" than they really were. Conversely, women who were content with their body image accurately assessed the images. This demonstrates that the media not only greatly influences how women perceive themselves but also that women who are already unhappy with their appearance will interpret media images, whether distorted or altered, in a way that perpetuates their insecurities about body image. In conclusion, celebrity images can serve as a catalyst for young individuals to develop confidence issues, low self-esteem, and even eating disorders. It is not solely the fault of the celebrities, as mass media plays a significant role in presenting an idealized image of an excessively thin body, fostering the belief that such appearance is the standard for beauty. The fashion industry further reinforces thinness as the epitome of beauty by employing models whose bones are visible beneath their skin.

The accessibility of pro-ana websites, with their galleries of overly thin celebrities, models, and the general public, has a strong influence on young girls and their susceptibility to anorexia. The convincing text on these websites poses a dangerous threat to vulnerable youths. However, there is also a positive influence on body image when looking at celebrities like Beyonce and Kim Kardashian, who are admired for their curves. Hollywood's evolving standards have shifted towards showcasing and idolizing curvier women as role models for younger generations. This shift in perspective celebrates the curvier figure and downplays the ideal of a thin body. With the

presence of these curvier celebrities and makeover shows on TV, more individuals feel happier in their own bodies. The youth becomes more confident and builds self-esteem when they witness bigger women being embraced as beautiful and desirable, as opposed to the smaller and frailer-looking celebrities.

According to King, Touyz, and Charles (reference: https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2007/02/12/kate-winslet-speaks-out-against-anorexic-role-models/), women who are dissatisfied with their appearance engage in the practice of altering images of famous individuals. This manipulation involves either enlarging or reducing these photographs, with the purpose of comparing themselves to the modified versions.