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How Reality Lost the Real?

When did reality become fantasy? How is it that the right makeup and the right clothes can completely alter the way one looks, feels and even acts. It has been said so often that when you feel confident you will look confident. However, isn't it more often that when we look beautiful, we look confidant.

There has been so much controversy in the past few years over retouching on magazine covers and the need to be super skinny and well pretty much flawless. Young girls see the covers of these magazines or the kids from the "O.C." with all the best clothes, hair, jewelry and makeup and wonder "am I enough". Even reality t.v., which is supposed to be real, is filled with "beautiful people". How do all the contestants on "Survivor" seem to be exquisite after being stranded on an island for weeks at a time. Obviously producers and casting directors know if the players look good, ratings will be higher.

"The Real World" has become more like "The Beautiful World". As America tunes into the audition shows of "American Idol" we see real people with real talent. But it seems that there talent is not enough. These regular people with true talent are somehow transformed into stars. They go from "no one" to "someone" over night. If you compare how they looked in the beginning, just plain, everyday people to when they start singing live in front of hundreds of people with flawless skin, great makeup and hip clothes, it's a total transformation. If this concept can propel a "no one" into becoming a star then why doesn't everyone get the opportunity to look glamorous and flawless. It cost a lot of money and takes a lot of time. For most people this opportunity is reserved for special occasions such as prom or your wedding day.

It is amazing how much the public thrives off of seeing a celebrity with no makeup hanging out in their pajamas. Or with a zit on their face. Somehow that makes us feel a little better about our own flaws. Why is that though? It is sad that people don't realize that a person is a person, celebrity or not. No one is perfect and no one should be made to feel like they have to be. And why do stars get upset when these photos are published. Everyone has less than perfect pictures. Sure there's are out there for the world to see but why feel the need to always look good. It is refreshing to see people like Britney Spears, Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck just being themselves. Going out for coffee in sweats, hair in a messy ponytail, no makeup. That is "real" reality.

Somewhere along the way, reality lost the real. The new reality is that beauty sells. Looking our best is great but we need to remember that the people on magazines and television have teams of people to make them look the way they do. We could all look that beautiful if we had the time and the money. Living our own reality is beautiful enough.

- by Natalie Pearson

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