Capture the paparazzi often
Selena Gomez
American singer and former child actress Selena Gomez recently discussed her teenage experiences with paparazzi, revealing that her freedom was "violated" when men photographed her in a bikini at the beach when she was 15.
In a conversation with Vogue, Gomez explained that she dealt with the paparazzi by "trying to say the right thing" and that she was a natural "people pleaser."
As a role model for her younger fans, the former Disney star felt pressured to maintain a "perfect" image even though she was still a teenager.
Gomez's life has been constantly scrutinized by tabloids, from criticism of her appearance to her highly publicized relationship with Justin Bieber.
Her mental health struggles were exacerbated by a diagnosis of lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, resulting in several stints in rehab facilities.
She recently started talking about the media's influence on her throughout her career.
Sadly, Gomez's experience is not unique. A toxic, aggressive culture surrounding young (especially female) child stars often leads to problems that persist into adulthood.
Many celebrities who became famous as children feel that their early fame took a long-term toll on their mental and, in some cases, physical health.
Examples include iCarly star Jenette McCurdy, who recently shared her struggle with an eating disorder, and Miley Cyrus, who has opened up about the pressure she faced growing up and the media's reaction to her more provocative, adult music.
Stars like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears now receive significant media attention for the abuse they endured as young women in Hollywood.
But why is this allowed to continue?
For many young women in the entertainment industry, the relentless pressure to conform to societal expectations of their appearance can be overwhelming.
The intense scrutiny their bodies face by the press erodes their autonomy and can be harmful not only to actresses but also to young, impressionable audiences who are inundated with heavily edited images of their favorite celebrities.
Social media also plays a role, with influencers like 16-year-old Charli D’Amelio forced to reveal her eating disorder online after receiving countless comments about her weight and scrutinizing her appearance.
The focus of scrutiny appears to have shifted from traditional newspapers and magazines to social media, where insults and attacks on women's appearance are common.
Gomez admitted she was "freaked out" when she reached 100 million followers on Instagram and decided to take a break from the stage.
But should women leave the internet to avoid criticism, or should those who criticize them learn to be more careful with their words?
While many former child stars now receive support from the Internet and some media outlets, paparazzi still have a long way to go to curb their sense of entitlement to one's privacy because their careers put them in the public eye.
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