For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: Let's get away from the campaign and the New York Times for a change and discuss how stars prepare for the Oscars with mink eyelashes, cleavage buffing, and underarm Botox!
Those celestial bodies are the product of power-bleach, armpit botox, stiletto foot surgeries, cleavage facials, antianxiety drugs and last-minute liposuction. And when the world's most beautiful people are chatting about who designed their fabulous gowns, bags, jewellery and shoes, don't expect them to thank the real people behind their look: the personal trainers, cosmetic surgeons, podiatrists, facialists, dermatologists and dentists who got them there.
More and more, the "perfect" look out of Hollywood is manufactured. Even worse, pictures of models and stars in magazines are being computer-enhanced to eliminate flaws and increase "attractiveness."
Does all this tinkering create a body type ideal that 99 percent of Americans can't possibly achieve setting the physique bar so high that most in our nation will feel second-rate? And what does this do to teenagers that typically have self-esteem issues anyway?
