Disney Stars Gone Wrong:
Josh Kersjes
The amount of actors and actresses to go through Disney at a young age is innumerable. But what happens to these celebrities after their fame takes a toll through the paparazzi? As their life becomes the front page of a magazine, the “good girls” of Disney have to sustain the image of what the media perceives them to be, which is a role model young lady. What the media perceives is what the public believes, and as the tabloids hit the stands on Hilary Duff, it is evident that the media can take it's tole on any young Disney star.
While getting her start with Disney on the film Casper the Friendly Ghost, Hilary Duff’s career took off once she landed the lead role on the hit television teen series Lizzie McGuire. The series was based on a young teenage girl who dealt with the daily teenage struggles. Hilary Duff was the morally just girl, who was always there for her friends. She later went on to create a movie based off the series, then starred in multiple movies. Among these include Agent Cody Banks, Cheaper by the Dozen, and Cinderella Story. Further, Duff created a musical career, releasing four albums; as her songs matured so did she. Her songs becoming increasingly popular, she began to mature and sing and perform in a more adult manner to audiences across the world. Beyond these accomplishments, Duff came out with her own clothing line and even wrote three young adult novels. These accomplishments led to riches, riches that were given to charities: “Blessings in a Backpack,” “Think Before You Speak Campaign,” and the Hurricane Katrina efforts
Hilary Duff appeared to be the perfect role model for young girls, girls idolizing the famous singer, actress, author, and designer. Sadly, the perfect role model was flawed in this media-exploiting society. This Disney star was scrutinized for her appearance by the media. Rather than viewing the efforts Duff had done for society, the media exploited her on one thing: her body. Pictures appeared of her everywhere as magazines featured the Disney stars flabby tummy and loose arms walking off stage from one of her concerts. Duff even went as far to get veneers applied to her teeth to give her a more picture-ready smile, but this backfired and the media soon began to critique this change, many people stating that she had a "horse" mouth. Magazine titles began to wonder what happened to the skinny Lizzie McGuire, only furthering Duff's grown hatred of her body. The pressure built on Duff and she wanted to rid the judgments of her body image. Unfortunately, she fell into an eating disorder. The media published articles on Duff’s incredible transformation, even though it was an unhealthy downfall on Duff’s body and mental health. However, Duff had the help of her family, which allowed her to end this unhealthy journey. Yet, she soon distanced herself from the innocent and wholesome image that Disney created.
Her music and role in films became more mature and provocative. Duff began posing in scandalous photo shoots for magazines such as Maxim, a popular sexualized magazine. “Queen of teen to breakout sex symbol” the magazine stated, as Duff desired to show the media she was not the same chubby girl walking off stage from her teen years. Media pressures such as Duff underwent are enlarged in the media’s eyes; the stars of today are faced with the stresses and temptations the media wants their celebrities to look like.
Stars such as Hilary Duff have the worries of what the public views them as. Duff has fallen victim to trying to impress a much different, older crowd than she began with her career— from a Disney’s television star to a pop sex-goddess. Disney helped many of these female stars such as Duff fulfill their dreams of fame, but when the Disney dream Is over, the basis of reality comes into play. These stars changing themselves due to the way the media perceives them to be. Changing their maturity, attitudes, and appearances for the sake of the front page of a magazine, doing whatever they can to stay in the praised spotlight of the media.
Works Cited:
"Top Ten Disney Stars Gone Bad." BlogSpot. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2013. <http://taradisneygonebad.blogspot.com/>.
"Biography for Hilary Duff." IMDb. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2013. <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0240381/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm>.
"Hilary Duff." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilary_Duff>.
Josh Kersjes
The amount of actors and actresses to go through Disney at a young age is innumerable. But what happens to these celebrities after their fame takes a toll through the paparazzi? As their life becomes the front page of a magazine, the “good girls” of Disney have to sustain the image of what the media perceives them to be, which is a role model young lady. What the media perceives is what the public believes, and as the tabloids hit the stands on Hilary Duff, it is evident that the media can take it's tole on any young Disney star.
While getting her start with Disney on the film Casper the Friendly Ghost, Hilary Duff’s career took off once she landed the lead role on the hit television teen series Lizzie McGuire. The series was based on a young teenage girl who dealt with the daily teenage struggles. Hilary Duff was the morally just girl, who was always there for her friends. She later went on to create a movie based off the series, then starred in multiple movies. Among these include Agent Cody Banks, Cheaper by the Dozen, and Cinderella Story. Further, Duff created a musical career, releasing four albums; as her songs matured so did she. Her songs becoming increasingly popular, she began to mature and sing and perform in a more adult manner to audiences across the world. Beyond these accomplishments, Duff came out with her own clothing line and even wrote three young adult novels. These accomplishments led to riches, riches that were given to charities: “Blessings in a Backpack,” “Think Before You Speak Campaign,” and the Hurricane Katrina efforts
Hilary Duff appeared to be the perfect role model for young girls, girls idolizing the famous singer, actress, author, and designer. Sadly, the perfect role model was flawed in this media-exploiting society. This Disney star was scrutinized for her appearance by the media. Rather than viewing the efforts Duff had done for society, the media exploited her on one thing: her body. Pictures appeared of her everywhere as magazines featured the Disney stars flabby tummy and loose arms walking off stage from one of her concerts. Duff even went as far to get veneers applied to her teeth to give her a more picture-ready smile, but this backfired and the media soon began to critique this change, many people stating that she had a "horse" mouth. Magazine titles began to wonder what happened to the skinny Lizzie McGuire, only furthering Duff's grown hatred of her body. The pressure built on Duff and she wanted to rid the judgments of her body image. Unfortunately, she fell into an eating disorder. The media published articles on Duff’s incredible transformation, even though it was an unhealthy downfall on Duff’s body and mental health. However, Duff had the help of her family, which allowed her to end this unhealthy journey. Yet, she soon distanced herself from the innocent and wholesome image that Disney created.
Her music and role in films became more mature and provocative. Duff began posing in scandalous photo shoots for magazines such as Maxim, a popular sexualized magazine. “Queen of teen to breakout sex symbol” the magazine stated, as Duff desired to show the media she was not the same chubby girl walking off stage from her teen years. Media pressures such as Duff underwent are enlarged in the media’s eyes; the stars of today are faced with the stresses and temptations the media wants their celebrities to look like.
Stars such as Hilary Duff have the worries of what the public views them as. Duff has fallen victim to trying to impress a much different, older crowd than she began with her career— from a Disney’s television star to a pop sex-goddess. Disney helped many of these female stars such as Duff fulfill their dreams of fame, but when the Disney dream Is over, the basis of reality comes into play. These stars changing themselves due to the way the media perceives them to be. Changing their maturity, attitudes, and appearances for the sake of the front page of a magazine, doing whatever they can to stay in the praised spotlight of the media.
Works Cited:
"Top Ten Disney Stars Gone Bad." BlogSpot. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2013. <http://taradisneygonebad.blogspot.com/>.
"Biography for Hilary Duff." IMDb. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2013. <http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0240381/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm>.
"Hilary Duff." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Nov. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilary_Duff>.