https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM4Xe6Dlp0Y

 

“Looks aren’t everything, believe me, I’m a model”- Cameron Russell

 

Cameron Russell is an American model. She has walked several fashion shows for various designers like Chanel, Versace, Prada, Victoria’s Secret and so many more. She has also appeared in fashion magazines like Vogue and W. In this TEDtalk, Cameron speaks on the modeling industry and the illusion it creates. She demonstrates that looks can be deceiving, and also mentions that looks aren’t always fulfilling. Beauty doesn’t bring happiness, as some of the most insecure females can be found in the industry. She touches on the issue of race, the lack of representation of colored models, and how the standard of beauty in society is white.

I chose this speech because of the effective way in which it was given. Also, because the various issues that were discussed appealed to me as a woman, and model of color.

Cameron begins her speech with a wardrobe change on stage.  This immediately brings her character down-to-earth, she immediately transforms into someone easily relatable to. She establishes common ground with the audience by choosing to be a normal regular person, instead of wearing a dress that flaunts her privilege.

Despite her accomplishments, she doesn’t brag. She is honest, no matter how uncomfortable it might’ve made anyone I the audience feel. This fact also builds her credibility, because now the audience knows that whatever she says is unbiased.

She uses a series of pictures for evidence to support the statement of retouch. She states that the pictures of her in magazines aren’t “pictures of her, but constructions built by professionals like the hair stylist, make-up artists etc.” She uses a side by side of her as a regular person with a regular life, and of her in a magazine, on the same day, the photos were taken.

She also talks about race. She speaks on how she gets ahead in life due to her race, while others pay a price due to their race. After mentioning the lack of representation of models of color in the industry, she makes a counterargument by mentioning famous models of color, then she rebuts the counterargument by using numbers to point out how few those models are compared to the overall total of models in. a given show.

Her delivery was very calm, especially while speaking on issues that may be so uncomfortable. She states that she is the biggest beneficiary of an oppressed system, yet that doesn’t bring her happiness. She used humor and very efficient visual aids to explain and support her points.

At first, I didn’t like that she kept repeating that she had a privilege and being white helped her get where she is. However, it is true, and she was simply owning it. Repetition allowed for people to face the fact and the truth of white privilege. My biggest takeaway from Cameron Russell’s speech would be how to deliver such an uncomfortable topic in the most sincere and comfortable way. I would also employ the use of repetition, so listeners could take my ideas and points at face value.