by Sydney, LiveGirl Marketing Intern, Sacred Heart University ‘20
Dear Khloe,
I am a 21 year old college student and I have admired the hustle and drive of you and your sisters for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, I have lost trust in your values since your continued support of the Get Flat Tummy shakes, better known as an unhealthy laxative product.
The media is fixated on creating a universal image of what a female should look like. This involves controlling what my hair should look like, what makeup products I use, the apparel I wear, and how much I should weigh. I am tired of being fixated on keeping my tummy flat, when in actuality, I should be prioritizing just being happy and healthy.
Many young girls look up to you, they see the glamorous life you live and will do anything to be like you. Being in the spotlight 24/7 must be torturous; having everyone judge and watch your every move. But with that power, you have the ability to share so many things and make tremendous change. Start working with companies that have real health solutions, with strategies that are backed up by actual science.
This false advertisement is failing to acknowledge that you achieve your body alongside a personal trainer, nutritionist, a private chef, and surgery, which is not accessible to the everyday people that make up your audience. This is not meant to be a personal attack, but when I flashback and think how scared I was three years ago going to college for the first time, I was fixated on my appearance and what I needed to do to fit in. If I saw this product three years ago, I would have purchased it right away to avoid the “freshman 15” when I was unmotivated to actually go to the gym.
You have a daughter of your own now. Especially since she is growing up in the spotlight, how would you feel knowing the habits and diets you are promoting could lead to her possibly developing body dysmorphia? “When teens don't measure up to the ideals endorsed by social media, they feel inferior, which has a powerful negative impact on their self-esteem,” says Barrie Sueskind, Licensed Therapist
Not only has this industry led you to become fixated on your appearance, you now as a role model are providing today’s youth with the wrong standards on achieving health. I understand advertising deals must come flooding in, but it’s time to take more consideration when deciding what you're going to publicly support.
Best,
Sydney, Sacred Heart University ’2020
