THE POWERFUL PORTRAYAL OF FAMOUS WOMEN IN MASS MEDIA
YOUNG PEOPLE DESERVE BETTER EDUCATION ON CELEBRITY MEDIA.
Mass media has been carefully curating a consumer experience from its inception that influences what we wear, say, do, and accept. It does this effectively through the portrayal of celebrity images. The most notorious influences on women and girls have been Hollywood's sweethearts, scandal subjects, and sex symbols:
the It Girls.
Adolescent girls are especially susceptible to the power of this kind of celebrity image, and are not well-educated on how to consume media critically, or on their power as a consumer. This is what we hope to change.
Through this website, students and teachers can explore the portrayal of famous women in mass media from the mainstream introduction of film to now, with a focus on Western representations! This website includes information on historical and current celebrity image constructions, biographies of iconic It Girls, lists of movies and shows with It Girl depictions, and classroom resources.