In Hollywood, there’s a lot of pressure to look flawless, which is why magazines and promotional photos are often heavily edited. However, many celebrities are now challenging this trend and embracing their natural appearances. They believe that altering photos to smooth skin or change body shape harms self-esteem and sets unrealistic goals for everyone. These stars are using social media and interviews to show the stark contrast between unedited and retouched photos, hoping to encourage more realistic and diverse representations of beauty in the media.
Zendaya
A former Disney star called out Modeliste Magazine after noticing they had altered her body in a photoshoot. She shared both the original and edited photos on Instagram, pointing out that her hips and waist had been made to look much smaller. The actress explained she didn’t want to contribute to unrealistic beauty standards. The magazine responded by removing the issue and publishing the unedited photos as she asked. Many applauded her for encouraging self-love and body positivity, especially among her younger fans.
Kate Winslet
The Academy Award-winning actress has a firm agreement with L’Oreal prohibiting them from digitally altering her appearance in advertisements. She famously insisted on keeping an intimate scene in ‘Mare of Easttown’ unedited, even when the director offered to remove a shot of her stomach. She also disapproved of a promotional poster for the show because it made her skin look unnaturally flawless. She argues that digitally removing signs of aging harms women by denying them realistic representation. This dedication to embracing natural aging has established her as a prominent advocate against ageism.
Keira Knightley
The British actress decided to do a topless photoshoot for Interview magazine, but only if her photos weren’t altered. She wanted to make a statement against the common practice of digitally enhancing her chest in movie ads and magazines. She’d seen her body artificially changed for years and wanted to show people what she truly looked like. She believes women’s bodies are often unfairly scrutinized and that their natural shapes aren’t considered good enough. The resulting photos were praised for being real and honest.
Jameela Jamil
Jameela Jamil, known for her role in ‘The Good Place,’ started the I Weigh movement to help people define their value beyond how they look. She often criticizes magazines and advertisers for editing photos to hide natural bodies, calling airbrushing a harmful practice that profits from women’s insecurities. She uses her social media to raise awareness about the negative effects of digitally altered images and personally refuses to allow any retouching of her own photos, leading by example.
Lorde
The New Zealand singer recently called out the editing of her concert photos on Twitter. She shared a before-and-after comparison, showing her skin with natural acne scars next to a heavily smoothed version. She emphasized that everyone has imperfections and that it’s normal to have skin issues. The artist has consistently chosen to present a real and authentic image, rejecting the typical flawless pop star look. Her honesty resonated with many young fans who struggle with similar skin concerns, helping them feel more validated.
Lupita Nyong’o
The actress was upset when Grazia UK edited her hair on their magazine cover to make it appear straighter and more aligned with European beauty standards. The magazine removed her natural ponytail and smoothed her hair without asking her first. She publicly stated that her hair and heritage are important parts of who she is and shouldn’t be changed to appeal to a wider audience. After she spoke out, the magazine apologized for altering her appearance.
Lady Gaga
During her speech at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards, the famous singer spoke out against a digitally altered photo of herself that appeared on a magazine cover. She explained that the picture made her skin look unreal and didn’t represent her true appearance. She encouraged everyone to challenge the pressure on women to look artificially perfect. While she acknowledges using makeup and costumes for performances, she believes digitally changing her image went too far. She’s calling for the entertainment industry to rethink how it presents celebrities.
Ashley Benson
While working on ‘Pretty Little Liars’, the actress was surprised and upset by a promotional poster that had been heavily altered. She pointed out that she and her fellow cast members looked unrecognizable due to the studio’s extensive use of airbrushing. She used Instagram to let fans know the perfect images on the poster weren’t realistic, and argued that the cast’s natural appearances should be celebrated instead of a fake, digitally created standard. Her comments led to a broader discussion about the excessive editing of young actresses in the media.
Lili Reinhart
The actress from ‘Riverdale’ publicly criticized Cosmopolitan Philippines for digitally narrowing her waist and the waist of a co-star in published photos. She shared the original, unedited images to highlight how unnecessary the changes were, even though they were already thin. She worried that these kinds of edits could contribute to body image issues and eating disorders. The actress stated she won’t hide her natural body or try to meet unrealistic expectations in the entertainment industry, and she’s continuing to promote the idea of accepting bodies as they are.
Camila Mendes
The actress joined her colleague in protesting Cosmopolitan Philippines after becoming upset with how her body was made to look slimmer in a photo. She explained that she’s dealt with an eating disorder in the past, and seeing the digitally altered image was deeply upsetting. She’d worked hard to accept and love her natural body and didn’t want it changed. By speaking out, she hopes magazines will rethink their editing practices and be more open about what they’ve altered in their photos.
Demi Lovato
The singer recently did a photoshoot for Vanity Fair with a bold concept: no makeup, no clothes, and absolutely no editing. She wanted to share her progress in overcoming an eating disorder and embracing who she is. The photos showed her natural skin, freckles, and body shape, completely unretouched. She felt incredibly empowered by the experience and saw it as an important part of her healing. The shoot demonstrates her dedication to being open and honest with her fans.
Kerry Washington
The actress from ‘Scandal’ shared her reaction on social media to a heavily edited cover photo for Adweek. She said it felt unsettling to see such a changed version of herself, even though she appreciated the feature. She then started a conversation with her followers about how digital editing can impact how we see ourselves, pointing out that retouching often goes too far.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
A famous actress appeared on the cover of Maxim India, but the magazine digitally altered a photo to smooth out her underarms, making them look unnaturally perfect. After online criticism, the actress shared an unedited photo of her own underarms, playfully pointing out that real skin isn’t flawless. This caused a widespread discussion about the unrealistic beauty standards placed on women. She continues to speak out, encouraging people to celebrate natural bodies instead of striving for digitally enhanced perfection.
Beyoncé
The famous singer reportedly wouldn’t approve an H&M swimwear ad campaign unless they used photos that hadn’t been altered. H&M had initially edited her photos to make her look thinner, but she demanded they show her natural body in the ads. The final images released featured her actual figure, without any slimming effects. This decision further cemented her reputation as a role model for body positivity.
Melissa McCarthy
The actress, known for her comedic roles, was shocked to see how much her face and neck had been digitally slimmed down on the movie poster for ‘The Heat’. She said the changes were so noticeable that even her husband didn’t recognize her in the image. The star has long been a champion for showing women of all body types realistically in the media. To help address this, she started her own clothing line offering stylish clothes for women often overlooked by the fashion industry. She feels that altering people’s appearances in media is harmful to everyone.
Shailene Woodley
The actress from ‘Divergent’ has been very open about what goes into creating the glamorous images seen on red carpets and in magazines. She’s explained that those perfect pictures actually take hours of work with hair, makeup, lighting, and digital editing. She once saw a magazine feature where her appearance had been significantly altered – her chest was made to look flatter, and her skin tone was changed. Because of this, she’s determined to make sure young fans understand that her public image isn’t natural or effortless, and she wants to break down the unrealistic idea of celebrity perfection.
Jennifer Lawrence
I’ve always admired this actress, especially how she handled the criticism around those early Dior ads. She was so honest about enjoying Photoshop, but also really clear that those images weren’t meant to be realistic. Since then, she’s become a real advocate for showing more natural bodies on screen and in magazines. I was so impressed when she refused to lose weight for ‘The Hunger Games’ – she wanted to be a positive role model! She truly believes in being healthy and strong, and that’s way more important to her than a digitally altered image. It’s refreshing to see!
Gisele Bündchen
The supermodel teamed up with BLK DNM for a campaign where she appeared with no makeup or digital editing. She explained she was frustrated with how much images are altered, creating an unrealistic standard of beauty. She wanted to celebrate what makes everyone different and naturally beautiful, and showcase real skin texture and features. She hopes this encourages the fashion industry to embrace authenticity over artificial perfection.
Lena Dunham
As a film and TV lover, I remember when Lena Dunham, the creator of ‘Girls,’ got caught in a really interesting debate. A feminist website actually offered money for unedited photos from her Vogue shoot, and her response was brilliant – she asked why everyone was so focused on seeing ‘real’ images instead of just appreciating the artistry of the photos themselves. But then she had a change of heart. Seeing how much her body had been altered on a Spanish magazine cover really bothered her, and she decided she was done with retouching altogether. She publicly stated she wouldn’t allow her image to be used if it wasn’t authentic. That really resonated with me, because ‘Girls’ was so important for showing realistic bodies – not the overly polished, Hollywood standard – and she wanted her own image to reflect that same honesty.
Jessica Simpson
The singer and businesswoman graced the cover of Marie Claire magazine with no makeup or digital editing, aiming to empower women to embrace their natural beauty without relying on products or filters. The photoshoot intentionally showcased her real skin and features, creating a raw and honest portrayal. Having personally dealt with harsh criticism about her weight, she’s using her voice to challenge body shaming and promote a message of inclusivity and acceptance through her brand, celebrating all body types.
Meghan Trainor
As a film and music video enthusiast, I was really impressed with how this singer handled a frustrating situation. She noticed editors had digitally altered her waist in the ‘Me Too’ video, and she immediately called them out on it! She shared a before-and-after on Snapchat to show everyone what had been done without her permission. She rightly insisted the video be fixed to reflect her actual body before it went back online, explaining that it totally went against the song’s message of self-love and confidence. Thankfully, they listened, and the corrected version was released pretty quickly. It’s awesome to see artists taking a stand against unrealistic beauty standards like that.
Troian Bellisario
The actress, known for her role in ‘Pretty Little Liars,’ has spoken out against the heavy editing often used in the show’s marketing materials. She shared unedited behind-the-scenes photos to highlight the contrast between how things looked on set and the polished final images. Having previously been open about her struggles with mental health and eating disorders, she believes the entertainment industry should prioritize the well-being of young audiences by presenting realistic images and promoting a healthy lifestyle rather than unattainable beauty standards.
Coco Rocha
The supermodel has spoken out against the practice of heavily editing photos in the fashion industry, saying it makes models look unrealistic. She was upset after seeing a magazine cover where she barely recognized herself because her image had been so smoothed over. She feels models should be able to maintain their natural features and personality in photos. She also guides young models, helping them deal with the pressures of the industry and resist unrealistic beauty standards. Ultimately, she’s pushing back against the trend of completely removing any imperfections from photos.
Jamie Lee Curtis
As a lifelong movie fan, I was really moved by this iconic actress’s recent photoshoot for More magazine. She bravely posed in her underwear, completely barefaced and without any styling, wanting to show everyone her authentic self. She’s even spoken about having had plastic surgery years ago, but realized it didn’t actually make her happier. She wanted the photos to be a wake-up call, a contrast to the often overly-perfect images we see in magazines. What I admire most is her message about aging gracefully and accepting the natural changes that come with time. It’s sparked such an important conversation about the pressures and fears surrounding aging, especially for women in Hollywood, and it’s incredibly inspiring.
Drew Barrymore
The actress and talk show host created her makeup brand, Flower Beauty, with a commitment to honest advertising – she vowed never to digitally alter images. She feels makeup should be about enhancing your features and having fun, not about hiding imperfections. She wants customers to see how the products look on real skin, so she often shares unedited selfies online to promote a more natural view of beauty. Her focus is on being genuine and enjoying makeup, rather than trying to meet unrealistic expectations.
Alicia Keys
The musician started a trend of going without makeup, choosing to appear on red carpets and in interviews with her natural look. She also asked that her photos not be altered or smoothed. In an essay, she explained she was done with feeling like she needed to hide and wanted to embrace her authentic self. While some people applauded her decision and others criticized it, she stayed true to her beliefs. She continues to be featured in major advertising campaigns, proudly showing her natural face.
Viola Davis
The award-winning performer has discussed how freeing it felt to accept her natural hair and skin tone, especially in an industry known for pushing people to change their appearance. She now wishes she hadn’t worn wigs at past events, admitting she once felt pressure to conform to Hollywood’s standards. Today, she often showcases her natural afro in magazines and movies. She feels being true to herself is essential for both compelling stories and personal happiness, and her presence is helping to redefine beauty standards in film.
Helen Mirren
As a L’Oreal spokesperson, this woman asked that her photos for the Age Perfect campaign not be altered. She wanted to demonstrate that beauty exists at every age and that wrinkles are a natural part of life. The campaign received praise for featuring a woman over seventy as her authentic self. She’s long championed a shift in how we talk about products for mature skin, preferring the term “pro-aging” to promote a positive view of growing older.
Andie MacDowell
The actress caused a buzz at the Cannes Film Festival by showing off her natural gray hair. Despite her managers suggesting she dye it, she felt confident and true to herself with her silver hair. She points out the double standard where aging men are admired, but women feel pressure to hide their age. She’s choosing not to color her hair to fit the industry’s unrealistic standards of youthfulness. Her bold look has inspired other actresses to embrace their natural hair colors, too.
Bella Thorne
The actress recently did a photoshoot for GQ Mexico and asked that the photos not be altered or retouched. She shared details on Instagram, explaining she wants to be open about her insecurities and challenge unrealistic beauty standards. She pointed out that the entertainment industry often creates a false impression that celebrities have flawless skin, and she believes it’s important to remember that everyone has imperfections. The photos showcased her natural skin and body, celebrating authenticity and self-love.
Chrissy Teigen
This model and cookbook author is well-known for sharing unfiltered photos of her body, including stretch marks and bruises, on social media. She avoids using editing apps to smooth her skin or change her shape, wanting to show people that even models have real, natural bodies. By being so open, she challenges the unrealistic image of perfection often portrayed by celebrities. She also uses humor to point out the unreasonable expectations placed on women.
Rihanna
Rihanna made a deliberate choice to showcase her natural body in the ‘Work’ music video, rejecting the typical practice of digitally altering images. This commitment to authenticity extends to her Fenty brand, which features diverse models with a wide range of body types and skin tones, also without heavy editing. Rihanna believes that celebrating diversity should be the norm, not something special. Her approach has encouraged other beauty and fashion companies to rethink how they represent people, and she continues to be a strong advocate for realistic and inclusive imagery.
Emma Roberts
This actress took part in Aerie’s Real campaign, which doesn’t allow models to be retouched. She admitted she was initially anxious about being photographed without editing, but ultimately found it empowering. She wanted to demonstrate to her younger sister and fans that her natural self is beautiful and sufficient. The campaign itself champions self-acceptance and discourages the use of digital enhancements. She remains committed to supporting companies that value mental well-being and positive body image.
Yara Shahidi
This actress is a champion of natural beauty, working with Aerie’s Real campaign and speaking out about the importance of seeing unretouched images. She believes showing real bodies and skin in the media—and openly discussing how race impacts beauty standards—is vital for building self-esteem, especially in young girls. Beyond her acting career, she’s dedicated to advocating for authentic representation in all forms of media.
Iskra Lawrence
This model became well-known for rejecting unrealistic editing and questioning the label “plus-size.” She shows how simple changes in posing and lighting can quickly alter how someone looks. As an ambassador for Aerie and through her body wellness platform, she inspires her followers to focus on inner qualities instead of appearance. Her honesty has fostered a large and supportive community built on self-love and acceptance.
Ashley Graham
This supermodel made history as the first size-16 model featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She often requests that her natural body, including cellulite and back fat, isn’t hidden in photoshoots, believing these are normal parts of being a woman. She openly discusses the often-unrealistic world of modeling through her podcast and social media, and her career is centered around promoting acceptance of all body types.
Keke Palmer
This performer, who is known for many talents, has been very open about dealing with adult acne and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). She often shares unedited photos of her skin with her large social media following to show what she’s really going through. She challenges the idea that celebrities always need to look perfect. By sharing her own experiences, she hopes to help others feel more comfortable and less isolated when dealing with their own skin issues. Her openness breaks down the unrealistic image of flawless beauty often seen with celebrities.
Florence Pugh
Scarlett Johansson often shares unedited photos on Instagram, showcasing her real skin and body. She’s spoken out against the pressure in Hollywood to conform to certain body standards for roles, and she’s committed to staying true to herself by avoiding diets and cosmetic surgery. Johansson believes an actor’s job is to portray a character’s inner life, not to achieve physical perfection, and this authenticity has made her an inspiring figure for younger generations.
Selena Gomez
The singer and actress created her Rare Beauty line to encourage self-acceptance and celebrate individuality, rather than trying to cover up what makes people unique. She’s been open about her own insecurities, sharing photos of her kidney transplant scar and unedited swimwear pictures. She also discusses the negative impact social media comments about her weight have had on her mental wellbeing, and encourages people to disconnect from the internet and focus on real life. As part of this commitment, her brand supports mental health organizations and resources.
Emily Ratajkowski
The model and writer criticized Madame Figaro magazine for digitally altering her appearance on their cover, specifically changing the size of her lips and breasts. She shared the original, unedited photo to highlight how the magazine had minimized her features to conform to a particular French beauty standard. In a post, she expressed her frustration and emphasized the value of embracing individuality. She believes everyone has insecurities, but that fixing them through editing isn’t the answer, and she continues to raise awareness about the way women’s bodies are often treated as commodities.
Sarah Hyland
The actress from ‘Modern Family’ has dealt with public criticism regarding her changing weight, which is due to a kidney condition she was born with. She openly shares photos of her surgical scars and the side effects of her medication to help people understand her health journey. She’s determined not to hide how her ongoing illness affects her appearance. She also responds to those who wrongly accuse her of having an eating disorder or getting plastic surgery. By being so open, she’s raising awareness about the challenges of living with conditions that aren’t always visible.
Saoirse Ronan
The actress made a deliberate choice to show her natural skin, including acne, in the movie ‘Lady Bird’. She didn’t want to hide it with makeup or digitally remove it later, feeling it was important to portray a realistic teenage experience. She pointed out that genuine skin texture is rarely seen in films and she wanted to help change that. This decision made her performance feel more authentic and received a lot of positive attention. She’s committed to using her work to reflect the realities of life.
Rachel McAdams
The actress intentionally included a working breast pump in a recent photoshoot for Bustle, even though she was wearing high-end jewelry. She asked the photographers not to remove it, wanting to show the reality of balancing work and motherhood. This follows a previous decision to leave her underarm hair visible in another shoot, as part of her effort to challenge traditional beauty standards and normalize natural bodily functions. Through these choices, she’s bringing attention to the often-unseen work and dedication involved in being a mother.
Kate Hudson
The actress prefers her photos to be unedited, wanting to present a realistic image to her fans. She prioritizes health and fitness over striving for perfect looks, believing true happiness comes from feeling strong and confident, not just appearing flawless. She champions women supporting each other on their paths to wellness, and her brand, Fabletics, celebrates movement and activity for all body types.
Amy Schumer
The comedian proudly posed for the Pirelli calendar in her underwear, showing her natural body – including visible stomach rolls and skin texture. She felt beautiful and empowered, and wanted to capture that feeling. Known for using her comedy to discuss body image and unrealistic Hollywood expectations, she firmly refuses to be ashamed of her body. Her self-assurance is a powerful statement against the limited beauty standards often seen in entertainment.
Tell us which celebrity stance on natural beauty resonated with you the most in the comments.
Read More
- 2025 Crypto Wallets: Secure, Smart, and Surprisingly Simple!
- TON PREDICTION. TON cryptocurrency
- The 10 Most Beautiful Women in the World for 2026, According to the Golden Ratio
- Bitcoin’s Bizarre Ballet: Hyper’s $20M Gamble & Why Your Grandma Will Buy BTC (Spoiler: She Won’t)
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Nikki Glaser Explains Why She Cut ICE, Trump, and Brad Pitt Jokes From the Golden Globes
- TSMC & ASML: A Most Promising Turn of Events
- Six Stocks I’m Quietly Obsessing Over
- Enduring Yields: A Portfolio’s Quiet Strength
- New Supergirl Spot Reveals More of Jason Momoa’s Lobo
2026-01-28 06:20