Feature Article

Woman… Supermodel or Celebrity?
Is One a Better Role Model Than The Other?

Many of us have a certain celebrity or supermodel that we look up to, inspire to be or want to dress like, whether or not the qualities that they portray are good qualities or bad qualities. It does not matter what type of qualities they have because we will still look up to that certain celebrity or supermodel. Some good qualities that we look for in a role model are intelligence, generosity, successful, courageous, strong, brave, inspiring, powerful, honest and happy with their selves in a non-selfish way. Bad qualities that we try to avoid in a role model are excessive partying, drug abuse, arrests, rude public behaviour, anti-Christ religious views and parental issues. Normally the bad qualities outshine the good qualities because they are more interesting to read about and are highly publicized. When choosing a role model it is a very personal experience, we normally choose someone that have similar qualities and goals as us and then aspire to be like them. But recently most celebrities have been getting themselves into a lot trouble whether is it personal or with the law. Where as a higher percentage of supermodels have mainly managed to keep themselves out of serious trouble. My question to you is who would you rather have as a role model a supermodel or a celebrity or since they are both famous does it matter? Keep on reading this article and maybe you will be able to make a decision.
Over the past 7 or more years there has been a drastic increase of celebrities that have been taking over magazine covers, which have replaced supermodels. This has had a huge influence of the celebrity becoming the new role model. Women of every age have been looking up to more and more celebrities since they have replaced supermodels on the covers of magazines. Posted by KylieW on August 14th 2007 on www.celebrity.org.au “Models, generally speaking, are paid to look good. Not to think. Not to have an opinion. But to look good. Their good looks sell products. Is that really the kind of person you want your kids to look up to? Someone with no opinions or thoughts, but who looks good in a bikini.” When reading that quote, KylieW makes an excellent point but now most supermodels have ventured into different business fields (i.e. acting, designing clothes, singing etc.), which have allowed them to get out of the supermodel stereotype. This has giving them more influence, respect and recognition across the industry. Most supermodels have managed to keep themselves out of the tabloids and the public eye in a negative way. This has increased the amount of girls looking up to them and calling them their role models. Do not get me wrong there still has been a couple of supermodels that have gotten themselves into trouble such as Kate Moss’ cocaine bust and Naomi Campbell’s abusive behaviour towards her assistants, to name a few. But, there have also been many models that have stood up to the tabloids such as the pictures of Tyra Banks looking overweight in a bathing suit. Which then created Tyra Banks’ “So What” campaign. Also, pictures and interviews showing off Heidi Klum's devotion to be a good wife and mother. These have had a major influence on women of all ages. It looks like the supermodel is going to be making a comeback. As KylieW stated Cleo Magazine will no longer be having celebrities on the cover of their magazines but will be reintroducing the supermodel to their covers. This is because even though supermodels are still in the public eye they are not as over exposed as celebrities, which will keep the supermodel as a top choice role model for a longer period of time than the celebrity.
With the lifestyle of a celebrity becoming more and more desirable to the average human being, more and more people are striving to be like them. But should being really good at something make them a role model? Absolutely not. As well as being good a something a celebrity also has to have some good qualities about them that will attract similarities between the women or girl and their role model. Take Britney Spears for example, she was a huge success by the time she was 16, which made her a role model to many teenage girls and young women. Then she started partying too much which involved heavy drinking and drug use and because of this behaviour many teenage girls and young women decided after all of her hard work and success she should not be a role model to women. Even though a celebrity starts as a huge role model to millions and millions of women does not mean that they will maintain that role model status throughout their entire career. Where as Mandy Moore, who started her career at the same time as Britney Spears, has managed to keep her morals and beliefs which have kept her out of the tabloids and that trashy category of young women that are in the spotlight today. You have to remember that celebrities are people too and that they do make mistakes and do things that are unacceptable, but it is the way that they handle it that makes them a good role model or not. A look at their past also helps make us decide whether or not what they did will reoccur or if it was just a one time mistake. Even though all celebrities and people in general all have good and bad qualities, their good qualities have to outshine or outnumber their bad qualities to be a good role model and stay at that role model status. Not all celebrities want or are ready to be role models but they have to realize that it comes with their job. It does not matter how famous or popular they are, women and girls will look up to them and aspire to be like them no matter what.
In conclusion both supermodels and celebrities have the ability to be a successful role model to millions of women and girls in the world. It is just how they act which determines how long that celebrity will be a good role model for and also how many women and girls will still consider them as their role model. Keep in mind your role model represents similarities in both your personality and attitudes. You should not just choose your role model because they are a huge celebrity or role model. So, when choosing your role model keep in mind their good and bad qualities and try to make sure that their good qualities outshine their bad qualities. There are a lot of amazing women out there waiting to be your role model; you just need to find the one that is right for you.