Jeff H. sent us a link to a post at Salon about the September Self magazine cover that features a very photoshopped Kelly Clarkson:
For a comparison, here’s a recent video of Clarkson:
Here’s a video posted by Self editor Lucy Danziger of Clarkson’s photo shoot:
Danziger argues that magazine covers aren’t supposed to be true-to-life representations, a fair enough argument. She goes on to say,
This is art, creativity and collaboration. It’s not, as in a news photograph, journalism. It is, however, meant to inspire women to want to be their best. That is the point.
Of course, it’s a big leap from “this isn’t a true representation of Clarkson” to the idea that such images will inspire women to “be their best”…that is, closer to that ideal that would make it on the cover.
Danziger then appears to argue that the altered photo presents a more authentic depiction of Clarkson’s personality than an unaltered one would:
Did we alter her appearance? Only to make her look her personal best. Did we publish an act of fiction? No. Not unless you think all photos are that. But in the sense that Kelly is the picture of confidence, and she truly is, then I think this photo is the truest we have ever put out there on the newsstand.
In addition,
Whether she is up or down in pounds is irrelevant (and to set the record straight, she works out and does boot-camp-style training, so she is as fit as anyone else we have featured in SELF). Kelly says she doesn’t care what people think of her weight. So we say: That is the role model for the rest of us.
Notice that immediately after saying Clarkson’s weight is irrelevant, Danziger makes sure to let us know she works out. And the whole point is, if body size is irrelevant…why the need to touch up celebrities’ bodies in the first place? The argument here is that Clarkson is so comfortable with her body…that she doesn’t mind it being retouched to present a “better” her. This is using the language of freedom and self-confidence to justify conforming to beauty standards that undermine freedom and self-confidence for women as a whole.
Also see our posts on evidence of retouching, adding weight to Cameron Diaz, now everybody can retouch photos!, lots of retouching examples, and several more examples, botox = freedom, book explains Mom’s cosmetic surgery to the kids, really–Botox = freedom!, cosmetic surgery as empowerment, and I got Botox for ME!
