Speaker uncovers truth about beauty

Feb. 10, 2005
By Mike McGivern
Staff Writer

Camille Cooper visited the St. Ambrose campus on Jan. 25 to discuss the ways the media can be held responsible for many of the eating disorders hurting America’s youth.  Cooper, who has had a career in both film and television, spoke to the students about the pressures the film industry can put on a young person.

Cooper commented on how all forms of media are propagandists, using certain tactics such as “fear marketing.” Fear marketing has existed as long as magazines have been sold in grocery stores or gas stations.

Magazines such as Glamour, YM, and Seventeen are placed at the check-out lines where women can see the beautiful, skinny models staring back at them.  Cooper points out that this usually results in food being placed back on the shelves - foods that could be needed to keep people healthy.

As a young actress Cooper found herself being pressured by film directors and casting directors. “I walked into an audition and got the part.  Then they told me to lose the baby fat.  I couldn’t understand what they meant, I was only 125 pounds,” Cooper said.  “I started comparing myself to other actresses that were skinnier than I was, so I started dieting.”

Coopers realization that making role models out of actresses or super models can be harmful to young people.  She stresses the dangers that could take place if a teenage girl starts to compare herself to an older model.

Back to the NEWS-PAGE or "The Buzz" HOMEPAGE