147 pages (paperback) '07

Ever wonder why some women are more celebrated by the media than others? Or why it seems like most pop stars, models, and starlets all have the same look? If so, then this is the book for you! Dive in and find out why the definitions of beauty and success set by celebrities are so powerful–and how to reclaim star power for yourself.

A former model and editor for major teen magazines, Audrey D. Brashich uses her insider’s perspective to make sense of confusing media messages and impossible beauty ideals. She takes you behind the scenes in the modeling world and in Hollywood to show you what’s real and what’s all made up. Don’t miss this funny, fascinating, and informative look at all the celebrity hoopla, where it comes from, and why it’s cooler to just be you.

CONTENTS:

1 – I Believed the Hype
2 – Models, Stars, and Celebrities
3 – The Media
4 – The Look
5 – Boys
6 – Real Role Models
7 – Let’s Celebrate

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Audrey D. Brashich has worked in teen and women’s journalism since 1993. She’s been an intern, editor, freelancer and writer for magazines such as Sassy, Jump, YM, Seventeen, Elle Girl, Cosmo Girl, Teen People, Girls Life, Lucky, Mademoiselle, Working Woman, Elegant Bride, Shape, Ms., Health, Healing Lifestyles & Spas and others. Much of her work focuses on body image, understanding media influences, self-esteem and positive opportunities for girls and women. As a child and adolescent, Audrey modeled for several prominent companies and magazines including Clinique cosmetics, J.Crew, Modern Bride, Sassy and Seventeen, which helped shape her understanding of the power of the media in the creation of self image.

Q&A WITH AUTHOR AUDREY BRASHICH

What is All Made Up about?
All Made Up questions why we’re on a first-name basis with women who are famous for being thin and pretty, while other accomplished women (doctors, lawyers, poets, environmentalists) are nearly invisible in popular media—and don’t share the same cultural status. It also gives girls tips for making changes.

Why did you write it?
Because when I was a teen I wanted to model desperately—and it wasn’t until I started working at teen magazines like Sassy, YM and Jump where I handled thousands of letters from girls who wanted to be models, actresses and pop stars that I realized how many young women are influenced by the fact that in our society women who look good are more celebrated than women who do good. Plus today, celebrity worship is more intense than ever: gossip magazines report on every pound stars lose and include “how-to” diet plans, breast augmentation has become a popular high school graduation gift, pro ana websites chronicle girls’ battles with eating disorders as they strive to copy the images they see, and the young women most frequently pictured in the media do little more than party, shop and work hard to look good. I want girls to know that they can help redefine beauty and success instead of feeling pressured to conform to existing ideals.

Who is the book for?
The book is written for girls ages 11-15, but it’s really for anyone—parents, guidance counselors, teachers, older sisters, women’s studies students—who cares about body image and the impact of celebrity hype on girls.

What’s the most important point in the book?
That popular definitions of female beauty and success are shaped by mass media and the manufacturers they work for, both of whom have a financial stake in defining beauty and success in a way that benefits them. The world spends $18 billion on makeup annually, and a haircut with bicoastal stylist Sally Hershberger (who counts Meg Ryan and Renée Zellweger among her clients) costs $600. They’ll be out a lot of cash if young women start to realize that it’s not their bodies that need to be fixed (and plucked, waxed, tanned, toned etc), but today’s commercially-driven beauty standards.

What’s the problem with having so much focus on celebrities? Isn’t it just entertainment?
Girls see that women who achieve celebrity beauty standards enjoy the best rewards: fame, high salaries, and being considered beautiful. So naturally, some girls want that for themselves. They’re growing up in a culture where Nicole, Paris and Lindsay are showered with praise and attention while female computer programmers, environmental activists and teachers are nearly invisible, even though they embody the values (hard work, intelligence etc) that we say we want to instill in young women. 

REVIEWS:

 “The subtitle of this book says it all. It addresses the media’s obsession with celebrities and how that can adversely affect a teen’s self image. The author admits her own attempt to become a model because of the media’s image of the lifestyle and the adulation that models receive…Readers are reminded that magazines and other media outlets depend on advertisers for funding [and] it’s to the advertisers’ advantage for consumers to believe that certain products will transform them into thin, glowing, shiny-haired beauties like the ones in advertisements. The authors points out the injustice in holding celebrities up as role models when there are totally unknown women in the world making real contributions to society…The one of the book is breezy and conversational without seeming preachy and condescending, and the author’s own experiences give credence to her advice…”
—From VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) 

"This vitally important, engaging, and illuminating book offers girls insight into the harm done by celebrity hype. Even more important, it gives them the tools to fight back and inspires them to celebrate positive role models and real beauty. Required reading for girls and everyone who cares about them."
—Jean Kilbourne, author of Can't Buy My Love: How Advertising Changes the Way We Think and Feel