Abstract:
The ultimate objective of this study was to establish whether female celebrities portray the beauty ideal and
have
influence
over
young
females
today.
The
literature
review
presents
an
analysis
of
feminism,
beauty
ideals,
self-‐
objectification,
and
the
influence
of
media
and
celebrities,
in
an
attempt
to
establish
whether
celebrity
images
are
of
a
‘self-‐made’
hypersexual
nature
and
whether
these
images
influence
young
females’
self-‐concept
and
role
in
society.
The
literature
was
further
triangulated
with
a
combination
of
primary
and
secondary
data.
Images
of
females
within
the
famous
Kardashian/Jenner
family
were
studied
in
an
attempt
to
understand
how
female
celebrities
portray
themselves
today.
Furthermore,
a
focus
group
was
conducted
in
an
attempt
to
understand
whether
female
youths
are
to
some
extent
influenced
by
female
celebrities.
Through
the
research
conducted
it
was
evident
that
female
role
stereotypes
still
prevail
in
contemporary
media.
Furthermore,
two
themes
prevailed
throughout
the
study,
which
was
that
women
can
use
their
bodies
for
profit
and
as
a
means
of
power,
and
the
conflicting
nature
of
femininity
versus
feminism
today.
