Social media provides a platform for self-expression, communication, and community, but it often presents an idealized version of reality rather than a realistic representation of everyday life. Users tend to compare themselves to others, even though most social media posts are inaccurate depictions of a person's “normal” life.
Social media users, especially celebrities, often curate their images to be the best version of themselves. Many social media platforms have tools for editing and filtering photos and videos. Celebrities and other users may use these features to enhance their appearance or manipulate their content.
Between the rise of plastic surgery and the photo-editing app Facetune, celebrities often create unrealistic standards for their followers to compare themselves to, whether they know it or not. Many users have become obsessed with appearance, and because they have easy access to celebrities' lives through social media, they often comment on celebrities' appearances.
Comments about a celebrity's appearance can cross boundaries, especially if the comment is rude, invasive, or critical. Although they may seem harmless to some, these comments can be harmful, contribute to body shaming, and perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards.
Comments about celebrities' weight, especially women's, are often filled with criticism.
For example, pop singer Lizzo is constantly criticized for her weight. She is known as a “plus size icon” because Lizzo is one of the few people in the music industry who expresses her body type. Although she is often praised for her body positivity, she continues to receive body shaming on the internet.
Twitter user Raya Heilpern commented, “How is Lizzo still so fat when she keeps moving so much on stage?!” I wonder what she's eating. ”
Lizzo, who usually ignores such comments, responded on Twitter with a round of applause.
“I just logged into the app and this is what I see every day,” Lizzo said.
On the other hand, celebrities such as Ariana Grande, Bella Hadid, and Kendall Jenner are often criticized for being too thin. After all, some Internet users comment on the bodies of celebrities, regardless of their size.
Celebrities often make the news for changes in their appearance, whether it's plastic surgery allegations, weight loss, bulk, or new hairstyles. These types of comments can sometimes cross the line, especially when the health of a celebrity is concerned.
Duchess Kate has recently been in the news for not being seen in public for several months after undergoing abdominal surgery in January. Rumors about Middleton's health flooded the internet after a Kensington Palace photo of her and her family appeared to have been digitally altered.
These conspiracy theories have taken social media by storm. Some users thought she had gone missing, had another surgery, or died. Middleton eventually posted a video in which she explained that she was battling cancer and wanted privacy while she accepted her diagnosis.
Another example of this kind of intrusion into the lives of celebrities is Scott Disick, who recently made headlines for his sudden weight loss. Disick's photo showed him looking frail and much thinner than usual, his face covered by sunglasses. There were rumors that Disick had an “Ozempik face” and that he was using drugs.
Actor Chadwick Boseman was also commented on before his death in 2020. Boseman posted a video on Instagram in which he talked about his social media initiative #Operation42, where he looked noticeably thinner than usual. Some were concerned about his health in general, while others made jokes and memes about his appearance.
Shortly after, Boseman's family released a statement on Twitter saying he had died of colon cancer. After Boseman's death, his fan Haley Ruth Spencer took to Facebook to highlight the ignorance of the comments on his Instagram post.
“I remember people just making jokes and tweets and memes about his change in appearance,” Spencer said. “They used to call him 'crack panther.' And now we all know he changed because he was dying of colon cancer. I took it as a warning, especially not to comment on weight changes.”
Boseman's death sparked debate about public comment on public figures' appearances, but led to little change. People continue to comment on the appearances of celebrities such as Middleton, Lizzo, and Disick.
Social media users continue to criticize celebrities' bodies, no matter how many lines they cross.
ch525822@ohio.edu
