Attraction

Beauty is what everyone is after and what everyone wants. It makes life easier and more accessible. When one becomes beautiful options open up that they did not open up before, and do not open up for most regular people. One can receive endless amounts of attention from the opposite sex, which makes the decision making process for choosing a partner easier. One can friend zone at their leisure and be more selective of who one wants to be serious with. One’s smile can then be enough to make someone’s day, simply because a beautiful person acknowledged them.

One instantly has a loyal social media following where one is guaranteed to receive flattering comments like, “you’re so beautiful” or “I which I could look like you.” When receiving this type of praise one can begin to feel they are special and uniquely attractive. Because of this, it is easy to take advantage of the societal privileges that beauty lends. Privileges, like always be taken at your word, always being lent a hand whether needed or not, and being viewed as intelligent and desirable. There are also unique opportunities to become social media famous by becoming a Tik Tok or You Tube star. Once that platform is reached one can start collecting endorsements and collecting free merchandise by advertising for companies because of one’s unique popularity. All is going well at this point. Now getting paid to live an easy life where all one does is smile, laugh, take cute selfies or dress in fine suits, and make videos so that fans get a glimpse of the [celebrity lifestyle].

Even if this is true (and it is). the darker side to be being beautiful is not talked about nearly enough. Celebrities, because they are more high profiled, learn to take criticism and unwanted attention with a grain of salt. We (non-celebrity social media users) could learn a lot from how celebrities handle social media abuse. With so many different types of celebrities to choose from these days, it is necessary to define what is meant by the term “celebrity.”

Celebrity then, is anyone who has a platform that can reach an audience where they can influence one’s attitudes, beliefs, or values. Whether through music, the performing arts, theater, movies, sports, political avenues, or anything else deemed attractive by society. This also includes social media stars of all types.

With this definition now in place I will be describing four ways a woman’s beauty has been used against the beautiful woman in regards to her celebrity status.

1. Often Viewed as not “Human”

What do I mean when I say viewed as not “human”? People think that they can say or do whatever they want to these celebrities because they are speaking through some form of a screen. Critics might say that this can happen to anyone, especially in regards to social media. This is true, but it happens far more to those who have a prominent voice within society. If athletes speak up about social justice, they are told to stick to sports. If an actor/actress speaks up about a political issue, they are told that “we” only want to hear you speak if you are in that show or movie “we” like. And if social media stars try to be aware of any important issues by sharing their opinion, they are shamed for not only having an opinion, but thinking that they are a celebrity worthy to share an opinion. The issue with all of these examples is that the “celebrity” is viewed as not human. They are knocked down to a single dimension of who they fully are. While these reactions can come for any number of reasons to many celebrities, if a beautiful celebrity speaks up they are shamed for simply being beautiful, and having an opinion. Basically, people are saying I don’t think this person has problems because they are attractive.

2. Reduced to One’s “Beautiful” Attributes

Being beautiful in our society automatically gives one more opportunities. Better healthcare, free gifts, better job opportunities, healthier foods, increased salary, among others benefits. Two benefits, however, that are not easily given to the beautiful are intelligence and being allowed to have problems. Stereotypes most of the time work in the favor of the beautiful, but these are two areas where it does not. If a beautiful celebrity is hired for a job it is automatically asserted that they were only hired to be “eye candy.” Unfortunately, this assertion is true and it still happens today, but there are many beautiful celebrities who are very intelligent. As a matter fact, I have encountered many smart, yet beautiful capable women in my own life. Therefore, I know that is an unfounded stereotype that is not true. Even more important, beautiful people are not allowed to be anything but happy. If they express any unhappiness or frustration, they are brushed off, and comments are made about how their problems are not real problems (but rich problems). This is very disconcerting. Many people in this category can feel like their only option is suicide because they do not have any room to share.

3. Not Allowed to be Intersectional with Who they are

Celebrities are only allowed to be what brought them into their fame. For example, being an athlete, comedian, or being attractive. It is only those who are viewed as exceptional who are able to avoid these typecasts. For everyone else one type of skill set is allowed. This leads to an identity crisis where one can start to question everything that brought them to their fame and if it was worth it. At its simplest, this can cause the celebrity to drop from the lime light in an attempt to live a normal life. At it most extreme, the celebrity may “act out” or “go crazy.” Cutting one’s hair, dramatic change in musical style, or becoming a speaker who speaks on the issues that they went through. This is usually what happens to child stars. They are in a life in which they are awarded endless attention and fame, yet they have no identity, and life can be overwhelming if not helped through by trusted family and/or friends.

4. Knowledge of Field is Often Questioned

For some reason if one is perceived as “easy on the eyes” it is really difficult for many people to respect that persons skill as for the reason they were hired. Beauty, while being a great help in being able to open the door for opportunities, it can be a great hinderance in being able to show one’s knowledge. One can often be told that “your opinion does not matter,” “you’re only here because you’re pretty to look at,” or “stick to what you know. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” This can be triggering, especially when understanding that these comments are based purely off of stereotypes and unfair judgments. They do not know one’s education, skill, love for one’s talent, or how one has grown up. The treatment of those who are oppressed and treated unfairly is constantly talked about as it should be. However, the same should be done for those who are beautiful. They are human and they do have problems. They are just like you and I.