The Media’s New Message on Body Image: A Trend of its own

Recently, the Internet (including my Facebook newsfeed) has been brimming with posts from bloggers and social media news pages commending celebrities and vloggers for their inspirational videos about women’s body image.

John Legend, who’s no stranger to emotional ballads and meaningful music videos, was applauded for his latest video for You & I (Nobody In The World). The video has already earned 8 million something views on YouTube; not just because the clip features Legend and his wife Chrissy Teigen or Laverne Cox from Orange is the New Black, but because it presents ordinary women in their most genuine and natural forms. Whether she is an athlete, a model, a cancer survivor, or a young girl with Down syndrome, she is the epitome of a woman. She smiles in the face of adversity and is not afraid to be herself.

Then there’s Colbie Caillat’s video for Try, which was also released about a week ago and picked up a staggering 10 million views. The video, which appears to emulate a Dove Self-Esteem Campaign Ad, consists of women, including Caillat, in white tank tops removing their makeup and singing to the song. Caillat was praised for choosing to reveal an unedited version of herself and for taking a stance against the use of Photoshop.

Though the video may empower young girls to be comfortable in their own skin, it’s also created some controversy for reprehending wearing makeup and looking sexy.

And finally, Anna Akana’s YouTube vid about How to put on your face went viral since it was posted a month ago. What appears to be just a makeup tutorial actually turns out to be a play on metaphors. It is a great makeup tutorial offering the most important advice ever. Perhaps Anna sends a better message than Caillat had intended to in Try.

These videos can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. While the messages may be different, the motive behind these posts is quite similar; to change the way women are perceived in mass media and to celebrate and embrace womanhood.

What do you think? Do these videos inspire you to love yourself (imperfections and all)? Or are they just another trend in the media that will pass as quickly as the summer does?