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Parker Coggins

Adam Padgett
English 102- 063
9 February 2016
Does Constant Media Coverage of Female Celebrities Influence Body Image Insecurities in
Some of Their Fans?
Although my field of study at the University of South Carolina is Hospitality
Management, I have always been very interested in the entertainment industry. I am interested
whether or not female celebrities and the Hollywood culture is influencing body image
insecurities in real world females because I have been close with a few friends that have
suffered from an eating disorder. Being a dancer my whole life, eating disorders are very
common among the people around me. We are constantly in tights and a leotard, which can
easily reveal many body insecurities. I have not suffered from a disorder, but the phrase body
image insecurities goes way beyond the serious health issue of an eating disorder. I think this
term implies even the small circumstance of looking in the mirror and thinking that you look fat.
I hope to find out if these insecurities and disorders are mostly influenced by what girls see in
media coverage or if it is caused simply from a personal issue they are struggling with. I think I
am qualified to write on this subject because of my personal experience and my passion
regarding this issue. Body insecurities are a growing problem in society and there must be
reasoning behind this influx.
In my first source the author reviews information from an analytical book titled, Body
Shots: Hollywood and The Culture of Eating Disorders, by Fox- Kales. The article discusses
how the American culture has many issues with females struggling with body insecurities,

causing the rise in eating disorders since the twenty-first century. This source also discusses how
there is constant media coverage of female celebrities (and their bodies) which potentially
pressures fans to want to look like their celebrity idol, therefore categorizing them into the
culture of body dissatisfaction. The major values and interests at stake for this article
surrounds women and gender studies. In this situation women are struggling with body image
insecurities and disorders. The author is reviewing how Fox- Kales is largely concerned with
exposing how Hollywood conventions and reproduction of regulated female bodies impact
female audiences negatively and disallow any feminist progressive potential to emerge
(Siddiqui). Gohar Siddiqui, the author of this source, is affiliated with Syracuse University and
researches English/film studies and Women and Gender Studies, making her qualified to write
this review. Even though the book Siddiqui is reviewing is biased, she is not biased in this source
because her own opinion on the subject is not presented.
My second source discuses the responses to Mary Kate Olsen being admitted into a
treatment facility for her eating disorder. The article explains how some of her fans did not find
images of Mary Kates body alarming, but instead inspiring. One fan had cut out the skinniest
pictures of Mary-Kate and pasted them in [her] journal, because that is what [she was] striving to
look like (Wulff). The pressure celebrities, themselves, feel in the industry to stay looking thin
and glamorous is also presented. Jessica Simpson, whom many girls strive to look like, is quoted
because she has struggled with her own body image. The major values and interests at stake in
this article surround the concerning doings of fans that strive to look like their celebrity idols.
Simpson reflects on the industry and says, There is so much pressure in society to look like the
girl on the cover of the magazine. But [those photos] are airbrushed and have special lighting
That just sets expectations really high for young girls." The author, Jennifer Wulff, is an expertise

in the woman and gender studies and body image/ diet fads subject areas. This makes her
credible because she has written many articles, for People Magazine, on these topics and has
gained knowledge from constantly interviewing real world people and celebrities. I think
Wulff is slightly biased because she seems to agree that Hollywood influences are negatively
effecting girls, like the teen who created the journal of inspiring pictures of Mary Kate Olsen.
However, the article is plausible because Wulff directly quotes celebrities and other patrons as
warrant.
My third source, Stop Blaming the Media for Our Body Image Issues by Lauren
Berninger discusses the opposite argument. The article says that although 92 percent of women
are unhappy with their bodies, the media is not the only influence on body image insecurities
(Berninger). The major values and interests at stake in this article surround the campaigns that
are promoting positive body image, such as #aeriereal (where Aerie began using unedited
photographs of their models in advertisements and in stores). Another major value presented is
the idea that females need to reconsider who their role models are. The author shows biases in
this source because she presents this idea, of finding girls new role models, when she suggests
that we explore the incredible (and often forgotten) women trailblazers throughout history and
get to know local women in your town, from doctors to dance instructors, who are doing what
they love (Berninger). Lauren is the founder and director of Finding the Fabulous, a non-profit
organization that connects young girls with positive role models to show that uniqueness is
inspiring, not inhibiting. She has been presented with many awards for the research and
dedication to this organization, which I think makes her credible on the topic of body image.
My research question is Does Constant Media Coverage of Female Celebrities Influence
Body Image Insecurities in Some of Their Fans? I think this question is arguable because it

allows me, as the writer, to conduct research and take a position on the issue. Some people feel
that constant media coverage of female celebrities (and their bodies) pressures fans to want to
look like their celebrity idol. Others think that the media should not be blamed for these
insecurities, because instead many brands are trying to promote positive body image by
capturing healthy, but glamourous, models and promoting that zero is not a size. Another
argument is that females need to be influenced to explore for different, non celebrity, role
models. I am open to all perspectives I find in each source, but I agree that the media does cause
some insecurities. I think that there can be other influences to negative body image, but, in my
opinion, the media is everywhere, making it easier for females to feel pressured. I might need to
revise my research question to somehow incorporate the counter argument. Im not too sure, but
I definitely want to include more about the different campaigns brands and celebrities are leading
against the negative body image influences in the media in my final research essay.

Work Cited:
Berninger, Lauren. "Stop Blaming the Media for Our Body Image Issues." The Huffington Post.
TheHuffingtonPost.com, 22 Jan. 2014. Web. 5 Feb. 2016.
Siddiqui, Gohar. "A Review of Body Shots: Hollywood and The Culture of Eating Disorders."
Quarterly Review of Film & Video 30.4 (2013): 348-351. Academic Search Complete.
Web. 2 Feb. 2016.
Wulff, Jennifer, et al. "Pressure to Be Perfect." People 62.4 (2004): 72-78. Academic Search
Complete. Web. 2 Feb. 2016.

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