The New York Times did a little blurb about this trend of actresses being featured more than models on magazine covers these days. This seems like a subtle shift (they’re all still celebrities after all), but I think it could be beneficial for readers. Though actresses still have high standards of beauty and just as much airbrushing, there’s more room for variation. Models uphold a completely singular standard of beauty: tall and gaunt. Some actresses also have this look, but it’s not a requirement. You’re much more likely to see an actress that’s shorter and has more muscle or fat on them than a model. I’ve come to believe that in the great debate about beauty standards and representation, variability is the key. Media will likely always project a high standard of beauty, but if we can see more variation in the ways that one can be beautiful then we’ve taken a step in the right direction.
3 years agoUnSpun
Where the media meets sarcastic criticism (and sometimes praise), where even the dregs of pop culture merit thought, and where spin gets unspun.
May 5, 2009
Actresses Are Edging Out Models on Magazine Covers
