Lea Michele and J-LO have just bared new belfies – but are they good or bad for a healthy body image, wonders Vanessa Chalmers
For those not familiar, a belfie is defined as ‘a bottom selfie’ by Urban Dictionary, usually posted by female celebrities who aren’t afraid to bare all for their millions of followers. And for their many more to come; after Kim Kardashian’s original belfie in February 2015, she gained 19 million more followers in just seven months. She then turned up the heat with a racy mirror shot in 2014, a few months after giving birth to North, which has since received over one million likes. It seems Kardashian’s behind has ballooned in size during her social media hiatus, and after constant plastic surgery speculation, she finally revealed cortisol injections in her bum for skin condition psoriasis is the reason.
A wave of celebrities has jumped on the butt selfie bandwagon, most recently Glee star Lea Michele took a side-view shot of herself posed on a bed whilst wearing a low cut black leotard. The photo, taken on Sunday, is almost identical to that of JLO’s posted last Thursday, where she too shows a plentiful amount of side boob and sassiness. She has gained 1.4 million in less than a week.
We all know JLO was once the bum-queen back in the 2000s, before Kim Kardashian took centre stage, and the 47-year-old is reclaiming her title whilst Kim lies low on social media following the Paris robbery. Lopez captioned her photo with a self-love message ‘Loveyourselffirst’ and hashtagging #feelingempowered and #healthybodyhealthymind, while Kardashian was keen to let everyone know hers had #NoFilter.
This got us all talking in the Healthista towers. Is a belfie female empowerment, or female objectification? Here are our views, please give us yours!
Carly Cochrane, beauty and fitness writer
9 out of 10 times I am jealous and I’ve wished I looked like that and had the confidence to do it. I think it gives a mixed message. It’s good because they love their body etc. etc. but young people and people like me scroll through Instagram, and feel a bit crap about ourselves!
It’s kind of pressuring people to look a certain way, but that’s never going to go away
These belfies are a bit of a fashion trend, because celebrities like Kim Kardashian get the trend going, and magazines like Vogue recently declared that big boobs aren’t in fashion anymore. It’s kind of pressuring people to look a certain way, but that’s never going to go away.
Parisa Hashempour, multimedia writer
What are they? Bum selfies? I think it’s great and all, in terms of female empowerment, its great they’re not afraid to get their bums out. But at the same time it must be difficult to be young right now with this influence. When I was a teenager, it only really mattered if you were skinny and weren’t too fat. But now you need a big bum, a tiny waist, and to be really toned.
I think there is an element of narcissism involved
But I do think there is an element of narcissism involved. The selfie culture itself is narcissistic, but at the same time I think people are trying to seek reassurance posting them, and to rank up those likes. I guess it all depends on the reasons people do it. I haven’t fully made my mind up; it can be damaging as well as empowering.
Anna Magee, editor
I think body pride is really fantastic. When I was growing up it was all about being thin, and that was just another unattainable ideal. So I think it’s great we are celebrating another size and shape of women. But I do worry that everything being about bums can objectify women’s body parts. Especially a particular shaped bum at that. Some of us have small bums, and if we are healthy that can be a really beautiful thing as well. For me, health, strength, and vitality can come in all shapes. So I think I’d love to see people with all sorts of shapes posting their belfies, not just those with that perfect peachy round bum.
For me, health, strength, and vitality can come in all shapes.
I don’t think we should be dictated to, and bullied by celebrity culture to have a certain shape or sized bum. However, I wouldn’t post my own on Instagram because I don’t feel like mine is the right shape, it’s not big enough. But I would certainly like to celebrate it, and I would if there were more different shapes out there. My trainer is always saying we need to build up my bum, but I think it’s healthy and fine as it is!
Vanessa, food and lifestyle writer
My first reaction when I see these photos is ‘eugh, another scream for attention and likes’. But at the same time, what’s to say celebrating a beautiful bum is any worse than if I were to post a selfie or bikini shot myself? It’s great they are confident enough to do so, and I love how we as women can embrace our sexuality and bodies more than ever (just look at Miley Cyrus).
what’s to say celebrating a beautiful bum is any worse than if I were to post a selfie or bikini shot myself
But not everyone can and not everyone feels sexy enough to do that, and only seeing perfection on Instagram beats those people down more. It’s a tricky one. I’d also like to add I cannot stand the Kardashians. I don’t feel they use their status for a good cause, which I would respect a lot more. They and their bodies are just there for people to praise; it makes me feel a bit sick. However, I have recognised that Kim essentially turned a humiliating sex-tape scandal into a business empire… that’s skill and a successful woman there.
They and their bodies are just there for people to praise; it makes me feel a bit sick
Give us your views:
(p.s. there are even belfie sticks to get your perfect shot, you’re welcome).
For the perfect belfie,, a body scrub will rejuvenate the skin. For your chance to win Sukin Renewing Body Scrub with green tea and jojoba, head to our Twitter page @HealthistaTV and RT. Competition ends 11/11/2016.
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