How many times have you looked in the mirror and said something positive about your appearance? If you have reached that breakthrough point where you appreciate everything about yourself, from your skin to your shape, you’re in a great place, SERIOUSLY. But, if you still compare yourself to others, especially celebrities, then here’s a newsflash for you.
Recently, Sonam Kapoor wrote an article for a leading publication clarifying that no one wakes up looking picture-perfect. She said something gratifying and powerful which stuck to me, “So, for every teen girl leaning into her bedroom mirror, wondering why she doesn’t look like a celebrity: Please know that nobody wakes up like this. Not me. Not any other actress. (Not even Beyoncé. I swear.)”
You must understand that while you wake up and get ready to complete your daily tasks including going to school, college or work, a celeb’s routine, especially before you see them, is completely different. “Before each public appearance, I spend 90 minutes in a makeup chair. Three to six people work on my hair and makeup, while a professional touches up my nails. My eyebrows are tweezed and threaded every week. There’s concealer on parts of my body that I could never have predicted would need concealing.” she revealed. Elaborating further on her ‘army’ she said, “It’s someone’s full-time job to decide what I can and cannot eat. There are more ingredients in my face packs than in my food. There’s a team dedicated to finding me flattering outfits and then, of course, there is always photoshop.”
Even some of the best faces from Hollywood and Bollywood are not as perfect as they appear on screen and they want you to remember that the next time you yearn to look like that girl on screen.
Just like her, many Hollywood artists have spoken about their body and looks and the time and effort that goes into them looking a certain way. While some others have fought these social norms and the society’s idea of beauty in their own little (or large) way.
Kim Kardashian, though usually flawless, has been very open about psoriasis in one of her interviews. “I thought it was just a rash caused by the fabric, but then the rash was COVERING my legs and my mom was like, ‘I think you have psoriasis!!!’ She has it, too, and it’s hereditary, so she spotted the symptoms immediately,” she revealed. She added that now, “every few years, I get a cortisone shot to help combat the inflammation from my psoriasis.”
If you want to start thinking body positivity, Chrissy Teigen is the perfect person to go to. She embraces her body, her stretch marks and poses on red carpets like a true diva, every-single-time. She explained in one of her interviews, “when I drink wine I say ‘whatevs’ and sober Chrissy doesn’t like it. I do not post stretchies for the praise. I post it because the wine, also I like the pattern and they’re so soft.”
These were celebrities, now let me say something to you. Let me remind you of something that is very important, millions of people on this planet are waking up looking absolutely different, at a different time, with a completely different set of problems. But, they are all waking up in their own skin, owning their shape. You need to realise that if you learn to appreciate yourself, the colour of your skin, the zit that’s appeared at the wrong place, the scar that’s not leaving, you’re still winning and that’s your superpower! You’re still the owner of your body, you’re your own high point and it’s much, much better than comparing yourself to somebody else! Get inspired, don’t compare yourself to anybody, not even Beyonce! Your flaws are your unique thumbprints and what you need less of is the negativity that you subject yourself to.
We respect all the stars who try to inspire people and especially teen girls around them. More power to them.
Stop being so hard on yourself friend, go forth, be you, BE AWESOME!
