How Celebrities Perpetuate Body Dysmorphia With Their Unrealistic Aesthetic Goals

In a society where status reigns supreme, it’s impossible to ignore the impact celebrities have on our daily lives. From red-carpet events to social media feeds, the power they yield extends far beyond their talent and achievements, going so far as to shape societal perceptions of beauty.

Whether it’s flawless skin or flat stomachs, the narrative they spin is becoming increasingly harmful, with several studies pointing to the effect celebrities have on body dissatisfaction and disordered eating.

Influence of celebrity lifestyles

Yet it’s not just aesthetics and beauty standards regular people aspire towards. Unfortunately, celebrities’ ostentatious and indulgent lifestyles don’t help either. Despite the fact that regular people know that what seems to be a never-ending bank account is an unattainable goal, it’s still something they aspire to have one day. No matter how unrealistic this objective may be, the reality is that many people end up feeling inadequate.

For some, it gets to a point that making every bit of extra money to have at least a fraction of the supposed fulfilling life these stars seem to have, will fill that void. And they do so by taking up all sorts of odd jobs, side hustles or pastimes: from cutting coupons to save on their next supermarket trip to even looking for the best no deposit casino sites. Anything to potentially increase that digit showing in their bank account.

Body Image

Celebrities are often guilty of perpetuating unhealthy body ideals that the average individual will never be able to attain. Their flawless appearances, achieved through makeup, styling and editing, can be seen plastered all over social media feeds and magazines, resulting in unrealistic expectations.

Moreover, the constant bombardment of retouched and digitally manipulated celebrities with perfectly preened bodies can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, leading to dissatisfaction with one’s own body.

Additionally, for young people already struggling with their own self-esteem issues, seeing this imagery can exacerbate an existing problem, pushing them to crash diet or maintain previously unhealthy patterns.

Studies found that young women who are exposed to images of unrealistic bodies are more likely to fall into disordered eating. The Girl Scouts Research Institute also found that half of their 13–17-year-old participants expressed that they wanted to look like models they see in magazines.

Recent statistics revealed that most children own a smartphone by the age of 10, and as such, this desire to emulate an ideal body is starting worryingly young. Speaking to a group of young individuals, the youth charity YMCA found that 62% of 15-16 year-olds found that images on social media changed their understanding of what a normal body should look like. Unfortunately, celebrities are continuing to promote these unhealthy ideals, despite these concerning results, with Kim Kardarshian recently documenting the extreme measures she took to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s dress for the Met Gala.

Dangerous Trends 

Celebrities’ undeniable influence on the public’s reception of what is seen as attractive has also pushed more individuals to go under the knife in an attempt to emulate a particular body shape.

While thin was the ideal for many years, the Kardashians helped popularize the “slim thick” body shape consisting of toned thighs, a thin waist, a flat stomach, and a large derriere appearance, which can only be achieved through cosmetic surgery. However, this has also led to a worrying number of individuals seeking out black market surgeries to achieve the look for less, resulting in numerous health complications and sometimes even death.

Yet another trend taking over Hollywood at a rapidly alarming rate is the weight loss drug Ozempic, which many celebrities refuse to admit that they are on. Originally only prescribed to people with diabetes, the drug surged in popularity once it was shown to trim fat.

Officially Hollywood’s worst kept secret, it appears that more celebrities are on it than off it, with Jimmy Kimmel even calling the use of the drug at this year’s Oscars. However, using the drug for unintended purposes can cause some dangerous side effects, including gallstones and kidney issues.

While it’s important to remember that celebrities often succumb to societal pressures to look picture perfect at all times, they also have a duty to be more transparent around the use of filters, plastic surgeries, and weight-loss drugs. They also have a responsibility, along with media outlets, to the young individuals that follow them and consume their content to advocate for body positivity and self-acceptance rather than play into worrying trends