Teens today have such a struggle with body images and body positivity, especially with social media influencers portraying their bodies as the perfect beauty standard. As a teen gir,l it is hard to avoid comparing yourself to others especially when it comes to your appearance and body. People today are now over-using ozempic and many other weight loss medications creating a standard that teens wish to achieve.
Hollywood celebrities add to this pressure by constantly showcasing unrealistic body images on red carpets and social media. Their influence makes many teens feel like they have to look a certain way to fit in, which can lead to harmful habits, low-self esteem, and a never-ending cycle of comparison.
Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are medications originally developed for diabetes management, but they are now widely known for their appetite-suppressing effects and ability to keep the nutrients in your body longer resulting in feeling more full. As a result, many celebrities in Hollywood and even social media influencers are rumored to have tried or currently use these medications to maintain a slim appearance and always look camera-ready.
Many Hollywood celebrities now appear extremely thin, and as a body conscious teen, it is unsettling to witness the lengths some go to in order to stay slim. Recently, the award-winning musical “Wicked” and its sequel “Wicked: For Good” have dominated media discussions, particularly with the involvement of Ariana Grande. What’s even more noticeable is that nearly every actor featured in the film has seen to become progressively thinner, which fuels the conversation about body standards in Hollywood.
In the interviews I’ve seen with Grande, she’s mentioned her diet and being vegan as well. This includes the fact that she’s had many rigorous dance rehearsals for both of the musicals. This mostly explains why she’s extremely skinny, but she’s always been thin which isn’t as concerning, but seeing other celebrities’ bones and ribs through their clothes and in photos can send an unsettling message to fans who look up to them. Celebrities and influencers often say we should feel confident in our own bodies, but it’s hard to believe that message when social media is filled with images of ultra-thin figures. This constant exposure makes it even more difficult for teens to feel good about themselves and can increase the risk of eating disorders.
As we all know famous singers like Megan Tranior and Lizzo started their careers solely based on body inclusivity and positivity but now when you look at them they’re starting to lose the reason why and how they became famous. Don’t get me wrong, becoming healthier is always the right idea but it also depends on the way it’s done.
The further you discover the truth about Hollywood celebrities, you reveal the disheartening reality of the 2000’s and how mistreated they were to create these standards of “you have to be skinny,” “no tummy rolls,” and “all of the size 0’s.” .
Now that is what teens are starting to believe in, the next generation of beauty standards. There is the constant reminder of pursuing perfection and being fueled by high social media standards. Social media is how teens compare and contrast themselves with other people who set impossibly high standards for our bodies and what they should look like, what they should eat and how they should dress.
A constant reminder that I tell myself is that everyone’s version of “healthy” is different from mine. Yes, it’s easy to fall into the cycle of impossible standards set by the world, which is constantly obsessed with appearances. But truly, at the end of the day, what actually matters is your confidence and self-acceptance, and that you never have to fit into someone else’s mold.
To push back against the Hollywood skinny craze, we can remind ourselves that social media and movies don’t always show real life. It helps to follow people and brands that show all body types, talk with friends about these pressures, and focus on what makes each of us unique. Most of all, we should support and encourage each other to be healthy in our own ways.
