For a considerable time, the entertainment sector has influenced millions of individuals globally regarding how the public views beauty. Social media, TV shows, movies, and ads all continuously promote one certain idea of what is seen as attractive.
Unfortunately, most people find this ideal to be extremely unrealistic and unachievable, which has created a society that values beauty above all else. These limited conceptions of beauty have a role in a number of social and psychological problems, such as body dissatisfaction.
It’s time to examine the beauty standards of the entertainment business more closely and acknowledge that a significant change is required.
The Origins of Unrealistic Beauty Ideals
Although there have always been standards of beauty, the entertainment industry has brought them to a whole new level. Historically, the standards of beauty were far more varied, with different civilizations placing importance on different physical attributes.
For example, in the Ancient Egypt era between 1292 and 1069 B.C., an ideal woman was described based on the following features:
- Slender figure
- High waist
- Narrow shoulders
- Symmetrical Face
In the Ancient Greece era between 500 and 300 B.C., the ideal features were:
- Light skin
- Plump
- Full-bodied
In the Italian Renaissance era (1400 – 1700), the depiction of beauty was based on the following:
- Ample bosom
- Fair skin
- Full hips
However, as global entertainment has grown, especially in Hollywood and fashion, a single, Westernized definition of beauty has progressively taken center stage.
This ideal usually encourages young, lean bodies with European-centric features, symmetrical facial features, and clean skin. Similarly, thigh gaps, large breasts, and big butts are also considered attractive in today’s world.
People who don’t match this certain image are frequently written off or put in less appealing parts in movies, TV programs, and commercials. Despite efforts to broaden representation and casting, the general perception of “beauty” is still strongly biased toward these unattainable standards.
The Impact on Mental Health
The pressure to live up to these standards of beauty can be detrimental to one’s mental and self-worth. People, especially young ladies, frequently think that their personal appearances fall short of the attractive characters they see on film. A vicious circle of discontent is produced by this comparison culture, where people believe they are never quite measuring up to society’s expectations.
As stated in an NCBI study, the mental health problems arising due to these high beauty standards are a global concern. Strong adherence to these unrealistically slender standards is found worldwide, with few variations. In such circumstances, body image problems are particularly frequent and likely to be the largest among those with minoritized identities, such as:
- Women
- Fat or obese people
- Minoritized racial and ethnic backgrounds
- Sexual and gender minorities
The ability of celebrities and influencers to present flawlessly manicured personas on social media has worsened the issue.
These popular individuals may further skew what is natural and possible by making themselves look immaculate with the help of filters. In response, followers could go to considerable measures to imitate these appearances, which would raise the prevalence of eating disorders, anxiety, and sadness.
According to studies, viewing idealized representations of beauty can lead to severe body dissatisfaction. The entertainment sector is heavily involved in the production and dissemination of these representations.
As an article from The New York Times states, many students are being the victims of unrealistic body image through social media. The students say that it had a “detrimental” effect on how they felt about their appearance. They do know that social media doesn’t show the entire picture of a person’s life. However, they cannot help but prevent themselves from making comparisons and being dissatisfied with their body.
In the entertainment industry, this issue becomes far worse as physical appearance is given a lot of importance. For instance, age perception is a huge problem that women in this industry face. They often have shorter careers compared to men due to their aging appearance. When you consider the age of over 40, a man is likely to get more lead roles in a film than a woman.
The good thing is that there is a way to get rid of the pressure while improving your appearance. There are several cosmetic procedures whose demand has increased due to this pressure. For instance, something like Botox (Botulinum Toxin) can help delay the signs of aging.
According to Dr. Busso, it works by temporarily relaxing the muscle contractions that cause wrinkles on the face. As there are fewer contractions, the chances of wrinkles appearing on the face are delayed for an extended period. This can help people from the entertainment industry maintain their youthful appearance.
These procedures have become extremely useful, especially in places where a lot of people from the industry reside. For example, Miami is one of the most celebrity-populated cities where you can easily find many popular individuals. A-list celebrities like Tiger Woods, Pitbull, Dwayne Johnson, Jeff Bezos, Sydney Sweeney, Shakira, etc., own houses in Miami.
In fact, it is also considered one of the best cities for aspiring actors to live in. That’s because Miami is a global hub for filming, producing, and distributing movies. Some of the iconic movies filmed here include:
- Scarface
- Goldfinger
- Moonlight
- The Birdcage
Even popular TV shows like Dexter, Miami Vice, and The Glades were shot here.
Whether you are in the entertainment industry or aspiring to be a part of it, Botox injections in Miami can be an ideal solution. In fact, anyone who wants to maintain their youthfulness should consider it. The results of Botox can be seen quickly and lasts for three to six months.
The Economic Side of Beauty Standards
Together, the entertainment and beauty industries, especially in Hollywood, form a formidable commercial force that preys on impossible standards. Many companies, from fitness programs to beauty products, rely on customers who are unsatisfied with their looks to promote sales.
Celebrity support for cosmetic treatments and goods further solidifies the idea that striving for perfection is not only necessary but also feasible. Brands spend billions on marketing beauty as a product that can be bought, which creates a toxic cycle of consumption.
It is claimed to viewers that by making the appropriate investments in items, clothes, or treatments, they may appear just like their favorite star. In actuality, the majority of these beauty criteria are unreachable for the typical individual without a mix of professional assistance, significant grooming, and genetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do beauty standards in the entertainment industry affect common people?
Since they promote unrealistic expectations, beauty standards in the entertainment industry can have a harmful effect on individuals. People may feel under pressure to live up to these unattainable standards when they witness performers or celebrities with seemingly flawless looks. This can result in harmful habits like binge eating or cosmetic surgery, as well as poor self-esteem and body dissatisfaction.
How can Botox give you a younger appearance?
Botox causes the injected muscles to become “paralyzed.” This interferes with the nerve signals, making it impossible for the muscles to contract. Your facial muscles will relax, and wrinkles will reduce if these impulses are inhibited. Since Botox keeps your facial muscles from contracting, it can also halt new wrinkles from forming.
What is the best age to start Botox?
The solution to prevent early fine lines from becoming wrinkles might be preventative Botox. Most experts agree that people in their mid-to-late 20s and early 30s are good candidates for prophylactic Botox treatments. Botox is approved for use in patients who are at least eighteen years old.
The unattainable beauty standards of the entertainment industry have long fostered constrictive ideas that can lower self-esteem and encourage negative conduct. Time for a reality check. The entertainment industry has the chance to redefine beauty by promoting diversity, advocating for increased representation, etc. We may shift from a culture of comparison to one of self-acceptance as soon as more people understand that genuine beauty comes from originality.
