Latest news with #TheSwan
Vox
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vox
The internet hates Botox and filler — but only when it looks bad
is a culture writer interested in reality TV, movies, pop music, Black media, and celebrity culture. Previously, she wrote for the Daily Beast and contributed to several publications, including Vulture, W Magazine, and Bitch Media. It wouldn't be a season of Love Island if viewers weren't discussing someone's plastic surgery. In June, Love Island USA contestant Vanna Einerson enjoyed a brief stint on the show before being eliminated by her castmates. But before she left, she caused a stir on social media for what many deemed 'too much' facial filler. Users circulated a screenshot of her facial profile and announced their disbelief that she was only 21. Medical professionals on TikTok posted their own videos dissecting what they believed had been done to her face and detailing where her injector supposedly went wrong. Vanna has since claimed that her swollen face was caused by an allergic reaction — but it was too late. Overnight, the short-lived reality star was branded a cautionary tale for young women tinkering with their faces at an earlier age. 'Vanna from Love Island is the exact reason we need to stop telling young women that Botox and filler is preventative,' one user said in a TikTok that received over 10 million views. This negative response to a stranger's altered face seems ironic in a culture that isn't exactly against cosmetic work. On TikTok, cosmetic surgery trends like 'Barbie noses' and 'fox eyes' go viral every few months. Meanwhile, impressive plastic surgery is gawked at and emphatically praised. Just a couple of months ago, TikTok was applauding Kris Jenner for her impressive facelift and labeling her as inspo. Even more recently, users were amazed by the drastic results of a woman who went viral after she received the same procedure in Guadalajara. While discussions about plastic surgery have never been more open, our attitudes around it have never felt more muddled. Is plastic surgery empowering or capitulating? Why are the intentions of people who receive less-than-perfect results questioned, while the more fortunate are lauded? What does our collective disgust at women who receive 'bad' cosmetic work say about us? It's common wisdom not to inquire about a woman's age or comment on people's weight (although, that's becoming less of a thing these days, thanks to Ozempic). But it's hard to say that, as a society, we've adopted any sort of coherent etiquette around discussing plastic surgery. The topic has long prompted a free-for-all of speculation and ridicule. From Michael Jackson's reported rhinoplasties to The Hills star Heidi Montag's infamous trip to the plastic surgeon in 2010, celebrities 'messing up' their faces and bodies has made for some of the most talked-about tabloid headlines. Meanwhile, makeover shows from the early 2000s, like The Swan, Extreme Makeover, and Addicted to Beauty, framed plastic surgery and the people who receive it as a spectacle worthy of its own genre of entertainment. Today, plastic surgery has become much more normalized and attainable, and the way we talk about something common has shifted. Once viewed as an option only for chronically vain and insecure people, interventions like injectables, nose jobs, and veneers have now become status symbols and luxury experiences that many people aspire to have. A 2023 RealSelf Culture Report found that nearly a quarter of Americans received some sort of cosmetic work or procedure. 'It used to be that you work hard, and, as a reward, you get a handbag,' says Amy Odell, writer of the Back Row newsletter and author of the upcoming biography Gwyneth. 'People would go into a Louis Vuitton to buy a bag, and it's a mark of their accomplishment. Now it feels like we're getting to a place where you're buying a face.' Chalkboard sign advertising Botox, fillers, and facial treatments in California. Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images It's not that everyone is necessarily undergoing drastic transformations. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' 2024 Procedural Statistics Report, while only 1.5 million surgeries were reported, approximately 28.2 million minimally invasive procedures — such as Botox, fillers, or non-surgical facial tightening — were performed that year. That's more than twice the amount reported a decade prior. Dallas-based plastic surgeon Dr. Raja Mohan says that he sees more patients opting for 'enhancements that look natural' and offer 'quick results.' He also viewed the demand for minimally invasive work as a part of a 'cultural shift toward self-improvement and wellness.' 'Cosmetic surgery is often viewed as just another way to feel better about yourself, similar to going to the gym or eating healthy,' Mohan said. With an increased demand for cosmetic work comes concerns over the ways people receive them. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 17 different cases of women who felt sick after receiving counterfeit Botox, either from an unlicensed individual or in a licensed setting. The FDA also issued a warning in 2023 about unapproved injectables that are being sold directly to the public. Most people's questions don't seem to concern health and safety; rather, they focus on the aesthetic outcomes of these treatments. It seems like one of the worst offenses you can commit as a woman online is paying money to make yourself look worse. It's the same strain of righteous ridicule that follows celebrities and influencers who've supposedly 'ruined their bodies' by losing too much weight on Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs. It's not a surprise that bad or overly noticeable cosmetic work is seen as a mark on a woman's character. Beauty culture critic Jessica DeFino, who writes The Review of Beauty newsletter, says that beauty exists as an 'ethical ideal in society,' prompting a lot of judgment around how it's obtained. Related How the brow lift went mainstream 'Judgment of beauty is often entangled with judgment of naturalness,' says DeFino. 'For example, studies show that we judge people who've undergone obvious cosmetic work as morally inferior — it's associated with lying.' She continues, 'The underlying message is that a 'good woman' with 'good work' conceals the labor they perform to make the entangled constructs of beauty and womanhood seem natural. A 'bad woman' with 'bad work' exposes the entangled constructs of beauty and womanhood as unnatural.' This sort of moral outrage was on display when Vanna appeared on Love Island this season — plus, it's seen whenever the UK version of the dating show airs. Last year, the women cast members of the UK show's 11th season instantly went viral for their noticeable cosmetic work, prompting immediate negative commentary from plastic surgeons and users alike. One doctor even posted a mocking video of himself guessing the women's ages and the work they had done. This backlash can also strike average people. This past May, a woman posted the results of her rhinoplasty that made her nose stick upward. Despite telling her followers that her nose was still healing, she prompted days-long discourse about Black women supposedly 'ruining their faces' in pursuit of smaller noses. Overall, it seems like the main concern around the demand for cosmetic work right now is that it's making (some) women less attractive. Even more thoughtful criticisms around cosmetic work and toxic beauty standards seem to always be pegged to women whose work supposedly looks bad. All this creates a toxic feedback loop where women are constantly encouraged to pursue beauty at all costs but criticized if those attempts backfire. DeFino sees more urgent problems to be addressed within our current plastic surgery boom. She says, when it comes to critiquing beauty culture, the 'smartest place to focus our attention is not on the outcome of beauty work, but the input.' She says that women and gender non-conforming people, especially, are conditioned to funnel an inordinate amount of time, money, and effort 'into meeting an unrealistic and oppressive standard of beauty.' It's these messages that need to be adjusted, not necessarily their results. For now, though, the internet seems to get more joy out of humbling women for their bad decisions. There's no worse crime than falling into a trap society set up for you.
Tokyo Weekender
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Emperor Naruhito To Play Viola With Mongolian Orchestra During State Visit
Emperor Naruhito will perform on the viola with the Mongolian State Morin Khuur Symphony Orchestra on July 8 during a state banquet hosted by Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa and First Lady Bolortsetseg Luvsandorj. The event will take place at a hotel in Ulaanbaatar, where the emperor and empress are staying during their official visit. The emperor will perform two pieces — one Mongolian and one Japanese — in a musical collaboration symbolizing friendship between the two nations. It will be his second time playing alongside the Morin Khuur Orchestra and a rare public display of his long-held passion for music. List of Contents: 2007 Visit: A Surprise Performance as Crown Prince Visit Marks First Trip to Mongolia by Reigning Japanese Emperor Related Posts 2007 Visit: A Surprise Performance as Crown Prince This is Emperor Naruhito's second visit to Mongolia, the first being in 2007 as Crown Prince to mark the 35th anniversary of Japan-Mongolia diplomatic relations. During that visit, he surprised audiences at a concert in Ulaanbaatar's National Opera and Ballet Theatre by performing The Swan by Saint-Saëns with the Morin Khuur Orchestra. In a notable gesture, he requested to perform the duet with a local violist rather than solo, believing it would better serve the spirit of cultural exchange. The former Ambassador of Japan to Mongolia, Yasuyoshi Ichihashi, who accompanied the then-Crown Prince, told the Yomiuri Shimbun , 'Mongolia is a country with deep attachment and pride in its ethnic culture and music. His Majesty was able to close the emotional distance with the local people through his viola.' Visit Marks First Trip to Mongolia by Reigning Japanese Emperor The emperor and empress arrived in Mongolia on July 6 to a warm welcome from Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg and other dignitaries. The visit is the third overseas trip of Emperor Naruhito's reign and the first by a reigning Japanese emperor to Mongolia. While in Mongolia, the imperial couple will also visit a memorial for approximately 1,700 Japanese detainees who died there after World War II. They will attend the Naadam Festival opening ceremony, and visit schools, hospitals and local children's facilities with strong ties to Japan. Related Posts Emperor Naruhito Welcomes Brazilian President Lula at the Imperial Palace 10 Things You Didn't Know About Emperor Naruhito The Life and Love of Japan's New Emperor
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Gateshead road flooded after water main bursts
Part of a road has been closed off after a water main Water said the pipe leak happened outside The Swan pub in Heworth in Gateshead firm said staff were at the scene within an hour and successfully isolated the leak.A section of The Drive, off Sunderland Road, was excavated and the street remains closed. A water company spokesperson said: "The water has all gone and we are supporting those impacted."We're sorry for the inconvenience this has caused and would like to thank residents and road users for their patience and understanding while we get things back to normal." Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Are You Hot? Cruel reality show where models brutally judge people's looks resurfaces and horrifies viewers
People have been left appalled after rediscovering a 2003 reality show where contestants had their physical appearance cruelly scrutinized by a panel of merciless judges. Are You Hot?: The Search for America's Sexiest People saw a string of hopefuls line up to have their looks torn apart in the hopes of winning a $50,000 cash prize. Contestants varied from traditionally attractive personal trainers and aspiring models all the way through to your average Joe. The genetically-blessed judges included hunky Renegade actor Lorenzo Lamas, Kiwi supermodel Rachel Hunter, and fashion designer Randolph Duke. The trio would judge the scantily-clad contestants on three different categories: face, body, and sex appeal. Lamas even used a laser pointer, dubbed the 'flaw finder,' to highlight imperfections. One woman was told that her hips were 'too wide,' while another was told to 'eat a cheeseburger' because she was too slim. While judging one male contestant on stage, Hunter remarked, 'I'm gonna give you a five because you're way too muscular.' She added, 'Like I said, it's too ape, gorilla looking. It's just too much.' Fans on social media were horrified after recently rediscovering the series. 'I'd love to see how Rachel would have critiqued her ex Rod Stewart if they brought him on stage,' commented one. 'Never heard of this but OMG this is horrific. And people critiqued America's Next Top Model for being harsh, while this is literal body shaming,' wrote another. A third wrote, 'Sign up for a show called Are You Hot? and ya gotta live with the answer!' Are You Hot? was canceled after one season due to low ratings and viewer backlash. While it was axed, it didn't stop Fox from airing an equally controversial series just a year later with The Swan. The series took 'average' women who felt insecure about their looks and gave them extreme makeovers - which included plastic surgery. However, the series came with an unbelievable twist. The women didn't know they were actually competing with each other until the very end, when two of them were judged head-to-head to decide a winner. One would then go on to the final beauty pageant and be crowned 'The Swan.' The Swan premiered to high ratings and averaged around nine million viewers during its first season, but was canceled by its second season. It's best remembered for starring Dr. Terry Dubrow as one of the show's plastic surgeons. Dubrow went on to star in E!'s Botched and The Real Housewives of Orange County.
Rhyl Journal
11-06-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Rhyl pub with new landlady will host RNLI fundraiser weekend
Naomi Clarke, 43, who is 'born and bred in Rhyl', is the new landlady of The Swan, on Russell Road. She started running the pub in late March, and has organised this weekend's fundraiser at the venue (June 14-15). Rhyl has its own RNLI lifeboat station on East Parade – it was established in 1852 and is now one of the busiest in Wales. Its new boathouse was completed in 2001, and it houses both an all-weather and an inshore lifeboat. Naomi said: 'We're looking for local businesses to donate raffle prizes and help our local RNLI crew with vital funds that are needed every day to help them save lives at sea, and to help with all of their hard work for us in our community. 'We will be having live music all weekend, with great offers on drinks (with our new price range added), and will also be celebrating Father's Day on Sunday, too. 'There is no better place to be this weekend.' The Swan is situated just off Rhyl's town centre. The property also features a dining area, five bedrooms, an enclosed external patio/garden, and a separate shop premises available in addition to the pub. After taking on the running of the pub, Naomi told the Journal in April: 'It's my first pub as a landlady. I've lived here all of my life, and it's one of the oldest pubs in Rhyl. 'It just appealed to me in every way.'
