Beauty standards in America have created a desire for others to conform to an ideal and unattainable vision of beauty: one that focuses on being tall, thin, tan, and blonde, while neglecting diversity of any kind.
The pageant industry has historically pushed these unhealthy standards since its beginnings in the 19th century, with the birth of swimsuit competitions, fitness routines, and other appearance-based methods of judging contestants. .
With the Suicide of Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst Earlier this year, the pageant industry and its failure to address the mental health crisis within the pageant, modeling and fashion industries was highlighted.
Kryst was known for speaking about diversity and topics like microaggressions on her TikTok page.
Talking about mental health issues or eating disorders is not common in the modeling field or in the beauty pageant industry, it is often swept under the rug if it is ever mentioned to have the image of brands.
Ally McCaslin, a UA senior majoring in addiction and recovery, has been in the pageant world since she was in sixth grade and said it can be a brutal place when it comes to women’s mental health.
“This can be really bad for those who already have mental health issues, it can really have a negative impact,” McCaslin said.
McCaslin won Miss South Carolina Teen in 2017 and went on to compete in Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. McCaslin was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in 2018 shortly after her back-to-back pageant wins.
“It was extremely unhealthy and the only reason it was happening was because of comments others had made about my eating habits or my appearance,” McCaslin said.
McCaslin said she felt embarrassed when she was first diagnosed with her eating disorder.
“I didn’t want to tell anybody what was going on,” McCaslin said. “I don’t think I ever had a conversation with the organization about mental health or my eating disorder, simply because I didn’t think it was in their interest.”
McCaslin has now stepped away from the pageant world, saying it was the best decision for the sake of his mental health.
Courtney Rager, a Murray State University alumnus who has competed in state and beauty pageants since 2010, said she was drawn to the world of pageants to meet other girls her age, but soon realized the comparison. among the girls.
“As much as you want to say you don’t compare, that’s easier said than done,” Rager said. “You may find yourself not trying to be the best version of yourself and instead trying to be like someone else.”
While many pageants no longer host swimsuit categories, Rager said it took a lot of work to get into a comfortable and confident mindset before taking the stage.
“I really had to open up and get comfortable wearing a two-piece swimsuit in front of so many people,” Rager said. “Being mentally fit enough to be able to do that is hard, it’s something I still struggle with personally at the moment.”
The pageant industry is just one of several demanding and visible career paths that can have devastating effects on people.
Jordan Moore, a model, actor and artist from Huntsville, Alabama, said the silence about mental health in the modeling industry makes those struggling less inclined to share their stories.
“Often, it’s not the fact that people don’t care what happens to the models. Most of the time, it’s because the public doesn’t know about or hasn’t been exposed to the problem to help raise awareness about it,” Moore said. “It all starts with intentional and purposeful education and awareness.”
While recent years have seen an increase in inclusion, many marginalized communities are still underrepresented in these fields.
In the 2021 State of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Fashion Survey conducted by McKinsey & Companyblack employees are claimed to report greater inaccessibility to the fashion industry compared to white employees.
“There is a general lack of awareness of the breadth of opportunity within the fashion industry,” the study states. “This is especially true in low-income communities, communities of color and the pre-college portfolio.”
Companies and talent agencies tend to hire models who meet unattainable and exclusive demands, blacklisting people of color and plus-size models from opportunities while rejecting their physical appearance.
Moore said that those who may be considered overweight, underweight, too short or too tall often have a hard time consistently going out on model calls or communicating with agencies.
According to the Mental Health Foundation in 2019Research has found that higher body dissatisfaction is associated with poorer quality of life, psychological distress, and the risk of unhealthy eating behaviors and eating disorders.
“I’ve seen so many people become obsessed with losing weight, covering themselves with makeup, having body or facial alterations just to meet a certain standard, only to be told no or slammed the door in their face,” Moore said. “Some have gotten depressed because they miss out completely or get sick. It is very important to know and understand that sometimes you will be told no, but don’t let that determine your worth.”
Despite some of the mental health issues this industry can cause, many people believe that pageants can bring confidence and personal development to women young and old alike.
Chaney Scott McCorquodale, a UA sophomore majoring in media, is currently Miss Baldwin County and has been competing in pageants all her life.
“I’m very passionate about community service and that’s what I love most about Miss America,” McCorquodale said. “You have the opportunity to start a social impact initiative and have a platform to share about a cause that you are really passionate about.”
McCorquodale said many girls focus their social impact initiatives on mental health and credits the pageant industry for their growth in confidence and personal development.
“It can be a little stressful, but you do it because it’s fun. I have made my best friends through pageants and it is an experience I recommend to everyone,” said McCorquodale. “It has really helped me build my confidence, I feel very comfortable in front of one person or even 1,000.”
Moore said she thinks things are changing to be more inclusive of all body types.
“Look at what Rihanna is doing with her fashion shows. It’s so inclusive of all body types and it’s expanding the industry and the perception of what’s generically considered beautiful,” Moore said. “On the mental health side, I think this also goes hand in hand with what Rihanna is doing, with being so inclusive. Expanding and challenging perception has and is strengthening mental health and the micro-effects of not being wanted, chosen or even wanted in the modeling industry.”
Moore said that, like everything else, representation matters.
“Being able to see yourself ethnically, in terms of gender, race, etc., is not only good for the mind but also for self-esteem. It makes it much more possible to achieve,” said Moore.
