Social media has fundamentally exposed that most of us are curious creatures in the most dedicated way. The followers that celebrities amass through their social media reflect that we have a profound interest in the fine details. From what they are wearing, to what Brand of underwear they wear, to what they add to their Green Juices and what highlighter they are wearing, we have leaned in. On the most part, celebrities are generous with us and make us privy to aspects of their lives, most of us hold as sacrosanct. However, with sharing so much of themselves and reaping the rewards that come with a mammoth following, do celebrities owe full disclosure about their cosmetic procedures to their followers?
On the bare face of it, absolutely not. We sign up to be a fan or follower at our own volition and at our own risk. Following celebrities who are in the most plainest terms, strangers to us, is a union of inequity. It’s a relationship where they get all the tangible benefits, while our only payoff is viewership.
This question alone points to an element of shame that still surrounds cosmetic procedures. It points to owning flaws that necessitates fixing and lays bare one’s most personal insecurities that would leave anyone feeling vulnerable. The shroud of secrecy that some maintain also suggests there perhaps is a sense of failure involved, that one’s natural self does not measure up and cheating methods had to be employed.
Brazilian Butt Lift. Procedure that employs liposuction to remove fat from the stomach, thighs, and back, to place it in the butt and hips.
On one hand, one can assert that what a celebrity who is essentially a stranger does to their bodies is none of our business. However, if we’re talking about preserving the humanity in us all or more precisely, preserving sisterhood, then full disclosure is a discussion that shouldn’t be tabled. Women follow other women to co-op on their beauty, style, intelligence or humor. We often measure ourselves and our value against other women and I think we are all acutely aware of this. Perhaps, Celebrities fail to realise or are at least apathetic to how their visibility vastly impacts others in both positive and negative ways. Disclosing surgeries or procedures allows followers to cement realistic ideas of beauty and how it is obtained and maintained. If they knew about these enhancements, then followers are able to measure their own beauty with fairness and levity. They can finally cut themselves slack. Kim Kardashian for example wields her beauty for the purpose of making money and Her popularity incentivises brands to perpetuate her as a beauty ideal. In the infancy of Kim’s meteoric rise to super stardom, she dealt with invasive questions about her beauty, one being is her booty real or shop bought? Her show that she shares with her family, wasted no time in managing this rumour by orchestrating a visit to the doctor who through the clever science of x-ray, dispelled any notion of any butt implants. However, many savvy observers know that in regard to Kim’s derriere to date, it is biologically impossible for the size of her thighs to carry the rotund size of her booty naturally, or In simple terms, her legs and bum do not match. On the face of it, it is very clear to those discerning of muscle mass ratios that she has had procedures performed to increase the size of her behind. Has she admitted to this? Nowhere on record, but does Kim K et al owe us this disclosure? Is there a definitive answer to this question? Well, that’s what is at question here.
Kim Kardashian. Does the thighs and butt match?
Do some people owe us full disclosure more than others? Some may argue, yes. The Fitness Industry has been on an inclining surge over recent years, thanks to social media and we are seldom short of gym shark cladded Insta trainers selling programmes to aid the masses to transform into their best selves. Many could argue that selling Glute building or weight loss programmes without disclosing BBL or liposuction procedures is false advertising and needs to have the full weight of the kibosh laid down on it, much like what was done to using false lashes in mascara ads. Simply put, it is more than fair to say that leaving followers to believe or have ambiguity that a surgically enhanced body is entirely gym born can’t be anything short of deceptive and unethical.
Plastic surgeons like Dr Miami and Dr Ghavami, have become celebrities in their own right and have procedures booked in 3 years in advance. It is not so unusual today to see budding celebrities being plumped and primed with cocktails of filler, using this transparency for social capital. Yes, there are some that are bold and use social media to narrate their filler escapades, breast surgeries and BBLs. They attract large number of views and followers that show that people are either curious, appalled, fascinated, inspired or all of the above. Though these cosmetic procedures are more visible, more accessible, more affordable, why do some women choose to keep schtum about their surgical dalliances?
Kimberly Smedley, convicted in 2012 for facilitating illegal but shots recently went on a press tour promoting her book, “The backside of the story”. In several interviews, she has narrated her journey injecting illegal silicone injections into the butts of trans gender performers, strippers and celebrities. After her 3-year prison stint, she is now using the wealth of her knowledge and experience to paint a realistic picture of silicone injections and the permanency of them. However, the well of her candidness quickly turned dry when asked for the names of the celebrities that she knows have had these injections, particularly the ones that she has performed injections on. This coyness may be down to her own personal ethics or she simply does not want to anger those who have had this procedure by spilling their secrets.
Kimberly Smedley
Celeste Barber, making us all feel better.
Celeste Barber, comedian and writer, has 4 million Instagram followers that reveal our need for realness. Her comical and outrageous imitations of the flawless images of celebrities and models, that many times stoke the fire of insecurity is a welcomed breeze. Her popularity is a signifier that the jig is up. We know full well that the beauty that is bestowed to a few, isn’t the litmus test of beauty for us all. She makes us feel better, realness makes us feel better and disclosure has the potential to makes us all feel better.
NDA- Never Disclosing my Ass-Shots. Social media has fundamentally exposed that most of us are curious creatures in the most dedicated way.
