Female influencers like Kelsey Calemine, Sydney Carlson, and Gabbriette are creating food content that blends indulgence with unattainable beauty standards. They present a fantasy where they eat lavish meals, stay thin, and maintain an alluring appearance, all without addressing the pressures they face to look a certain way. This content taps into viewers' desires for both indulgence and attractiveness, but it’s underpinned by a sense of unreality—viewers watch these women consume, yet suspect that the influencers are carefully controlling their diets off-camera. The phenomenon reflects broader societal contradictions about food, beauty, and consumption, reminiscent of the unrealistic claims made by supermodels in the 2000s.
These influencers stand in pristine kitchens, wearing glamorous outfits, often creating content that feels relatable but is clearly curated. Unlike past influencers focused on strict nutrition, they make comforting meals like casseroles and pasta, offering a carefree image while getting thinner and thinner. This fantasy is alluring but unnerving, especially in a culture increasingly fixated on appearances, weight, and indulgence.
Discussion (2)
Its so true that female influencers, especially in the food space, are navigating this weird dichotomy where they show indulgence but maintain this perfectly curated, glamorous image.
I think its insane how influencers have turned something as basic as eating into a performance art, but it's also kind of unsettling that it reinforces such unrealistic standards.
As if women cant even eat without having to prove they're still “desirable” while doing it 🙃