Pamela Anderson talks body image on Dove's new Spotify playlist. (Spoiler alert: we're gripped.)
We’ve become utterly fascinated by Pamela Anderson for two reasons. First, her autobiography Love, Pamela – which is so worth a read/listen; even if you don’t think you’re a Pamela Anderson fan, you will be after this. And second, for her decision basically to give up on wearing make-up. Even on the red carpet. It’s brave and bold and actually, we think she looks completely beautiful, without so much as a swoosh of a mascara wand.
The former ‘Baywatch’ star features in a new Spotify playlist put together by beauty brand Dove, who are launching a body confidence programme. Called ‘Why2K’, the series explores the long-lasting impact of early 2000s beauty ideals – as Dove put it, she reflects ‘on the unrealistic standards she was once expected to embody and how she’s redefined beauty on her own terms.’ Ms. Anderson is interviewed by Elizabeth Day, whose How to Fail podcast is a fantastic listen.
The podcast series is based on findings that three in four millennial women (aged 30-45) say that ‘harmful beauty messages from that era still shape how they feel about their bodies today.’
Dove have put together stats that are definitely food for thought…
• In the UK, nearly two-thirds (64%) of magazine covers featured language that fuelled body-related pressures, from warnings about ‘muffin tops’ to demands to be ‘bikini body-ready’.
• Among the toxic terms most recalled by UK women were ‘bikini body’ (75%), ‘size zero’ (64%), ‘love handles’ (62%), ‘muffin top’ (58%), ‘thinspiration’ (31%), and ‘heroin chic’ (27%).
• The emotional impact still lingers, with the majority of millennial women saying Y2K-era media left them feeling insecure (63%), judged (64%), and not good enough (61%) – and over half (56%) saying it made them feel ugly.
• Two in five millennial women (42%) say the media negatively impacted how they see their own beauty – a perception that remains unchanged today
• Almost seven in 10 women in the UK say say this language helped normalise harsh body criticism (69%) and over half (56%), believe their body image will always be shaped by it.
As our longstanding readers know, we have never used that kind of terminology and always promoted health and wellbeing over a goal of slimness for slimness’s sake – and we are absolutely here for Dove’s drive to shift the narrative, here.
So, do listen. We’ve a hunch you’ll be signing up as a fellow member of the Pamela Anderson Fan Club, alongside us.
The next couple of episodes, meanwhile, are as follows…
Happy Place by Fearne Cotton featuring special guest (airs Thursday 17th July): Self-Care and Body Confidence: a conversation about self-worth, beauty standards, and finding peace in your own skin.
A Millennial Mind by Shivani Pau featuring special guest (airs Tuesday 22nd July) – Friendship and Body Talk: Helping women navigate the impact of friendships on body confidence.
Find the playlist here
