Why Do Sistas Hate on Models?
Watch & Learn - “It ain’t easy being beautiful!”
I was at a social gathering recently when the topic between four of us women turned to reality TV. As an Entertainment writer and self-professed junkie of at least two shows, my ears perked up a little more. The conversation volleyed such shows as “Survivor,” “The Amazing Race,” and without a doubt, “American Idol.” Why do we envelope ourselves in these shows? we asked each other. Then the sister just to my left came out with it. “I love ‘America’s Next Top Model,’ she admitted. “I think part of it is because I just like seeing pretty women fail.” And we all laughed. But was it funny and truthful? Through eight seasons (so far), I’ve glued my eyes to the Tyra Banks creation that pits bubbly, easy-on-the-eye, 20somethings against each other for the chance at a prosperous modeling career. What am I gaining from it, exactly? I’m no fashionista, and my petite frame (and age) dashes any chance I have of a stepping on a catwalk. So am I purely entertained or do I, like this sister, kinda dig seeing attractive woman, who clearly believe they’re attractive, flounder under pressure? I never believed I was one of those jealous women who lack the confidence to support a genetically blessed woman.
So I dug a little deeper to recuse myself and find out why the sister’s comment struck me. Which groups generally receive the bulk of envy from others: the rich, the powerful and the beautiful. Models, at least those of super-status, seemingly have all three. And they seemingly have achieved it all effortlessly. Born with the “right” traits, models are draped in expensive fashion, pose before flashing lights and bring home big bucks. Where’s the sweat? Where’s the pain? Where’s the challenge? We don’t see it, and therein lies the problem. Studies in scholarly journals have even shown that those who possess beauty and/or height have a greater chance at success in life. In other words, you’re more likely to fail if you aren’t tall and gorgeous. So I get what the sister jokingly said at the party. American society overwhelmingly celebrates a certain kind of beauty that most of us, especially Black women, can’t relate to. But I’m not on her team. Tyra, who wears her flaws on her fashionable sleeve, partly developed this show to show the world how easy modeling isn’t. Contestants scratch and claw for attention, face tough critiques about things they can’t change (a short neck, a wide forehead, big gums), put up with stuff I never would and then crumble to tears when the judges send them home. If I find any comfort at all, it’s in watching women, whose beauty is simply different from mine, struggle to get ahead. Worse, they have to count on their exterior, which is sad, but is what it is.
