America the Beautiful

After watching this video and following Gerren Taylor through her story of starting modeling at a very young age, modeling as women twice her age, and then falling and ending her modeling career, I have learned many new impacts the modeling world can have on people. The modeling world has shown me that the industry is harsh.  Towards the end of the video when Gerren was in Milan to try to get booked for jobs, the women at the company told her she was obese and ugly and that they weren't looking for her to do the job. Being stick thin, Gerren was told she needed to lose weight around her hips, that in order for her to get the job she needed to become skinnier so they could save money by using less fabric. As a 12 year old, Gerren was hired for numerous modeling jobs; she knew she was beautiful and talented. As she got older, the industry kept denying her the jobs because they said she was 'too fat' and 'not pretty enough' bring her self-esteem and self worth plummeting down. I believe that my experience as a young women living in todays society has been altered by the ideals and expectations of society. I am constantly reminded that there are women prettier, skinnier, more talented, and smarter than me everywhere I turn.  It is having the confidence and the power to face those constant reminders and say that just being yourself is enough.