Heidi Montag: The American Plastic Dream?

For years, plastic surgery has been a growing trend with celebrities and wealthy Americans.  There have been those who have benefited from the transformation, with an increase in self-confidence and an enhanced appearance.  There are also those who become “plastic surgery accidents” or, in some cases, plastic surgery addicts.  The latest “celebrity” who claims to be addicted to plastic surgery (or attempting to draw out her fifteen minutes of fame) is none other than Heidi Montag.  Starting on November 20^th, Montag underwent ten simultaneous procedures in an attempt to perfect her appearance.  Montag, who achieved fame through her role on the scripted reality show The Hills, is the epitome of Joshua Gamson’s “fame as manufactured” kind of star.  Since her success on the show, Heidi has become a tabloid fixture, from her relationship with Spencer Pratt to her failed music career to, most currently, her plastic surgery experiments.  At this point, distinguishing between which parts of Montag’s life are genuine and which are for the cameras is almost impossible.  She has essentially alienated herself from the American public because of her insincere and manufactured personality and appearance.  Most people will support celebrities if they are able to identify with them, a theory referred to as vision regime by Sean Redmond.  Through her multiple surgeries, Montag no longer looks like a healthy and natural female in her twenties, thus separating her from the masses.  Even though she has alienated herself, we still have a sick obsession with her story and buy magazines that she is plastered across the cover of.  Although we not respect her as much as a “fame by greatness” star, we still have a fascination with her lifestyle and choices.

Two of her costars, Audrina Patridge and Lo Bosworth, have spoken out about her extensive surgeries, with the latter stating that she hopes young girls across America do not follow Montag’s example.  Young girls are bombarded with the idea that they must have the “Barbie body” in order to be considered beautiful.  Heidi is a living, breathing example of the lengths that insecure females will go to in order to achieve this absurd standard.  If young women believe that this is the norm and that these actions are acceptable in order to achieve that standard of beauty, society is seriously in danger.  Young girls look up to celebrities and icons; they mimic their actions and attempt to recreate their looks.  It would be foolish to blame these standards on the actions of one individual, but Montag’s recent actions may only further cement them into young minds.