Hollywood beauty was once skin deep.† Now it's bone thin. Although the rumors that an Ally McBeal production had closed down due to star Calista Flockhart's anorexia turned out to be false, the rumors were herald of an epidemic plaguing Hollywood, specifically the pressure on performers--specifically females-- to stay bone thin. With no regard for health, the show biz industry has imposed impossible standards for women. Calvin Klein's popularized the fashion phenomenon known as heroin chicfeaturing ads with emaciated models. The rest of the fashion industry not only followed suit, but also pushed the destructive and false archetype of beauty to the forefront of popular culture. Starlets Nicole Richie, Linsday Lohan, and Kate Bosworth are well documented in the tabloids for their dangerous and rapid weight reductions that make them more akin to concentration camp survivors than teenage role models. The problem isn't necessarily a new one. It is well known that the old Hollywood studio system guarded Elizabeth Taylor from caloric consumption and that diet pills were religiously prescribed for Judy Garland. The problem was well articulated by actress, Andie MacDowell, "They want me to look like a girl, and I'm a woman". For too long, beauty has been defined by narrow, stifling stereotypes. But thanks to campaigns like Dove and shows like Oprah and Ellen Degeneres who are bringing this issue to the forefront, this will challenge today's stereotypical view of beauty. The campaign launched by Dove has been trying to change those stereotypes. They believe real beauty comes in many shapes, sizes and ages and that real beauty can be genuinely stunning. Dove's Global Campaign for Real Beauty aims to change the status quo and offer in its place a broader, healthier, more democratic view of beauty. A view of beauty that all women can own and enjoy every day.The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty is a global effort intended to serve as a starting point for societal change and act as a catalyst for widening the definition and discussion of beauty.The brand's commitment to the mission starts with using real women, not professional models, of various ages, shapes and sizes to provoke discussion and debate about today's typecast beauty images.These women proudly show off their wrinkles, curves and bumps provoking a debate through communication initiatives including advertising, interactive Web programs, attention getting billboards and now even, short films on Youtube.In 2005, a global study was commissioned by Dove to explore self-esteem and the impact of beauty ideals on both women's and girls' lives.Surveying 3,300 girls and women between the ages of 15 and 64 in Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, Dove reached some startling conclusions: 90% of all women 15-64 worldwide want to change at least one aspect of their physical appearance (with body weight ranking the highest). 67% of all women 15 to 64 withdraw from life-engaging activities due to feeling badly about their looks (among them things like giving an opinion, going to school, going to the doctor). 61% of all women and 69% of girls (15 to 17) feel that their mother has had a positive influence on their feelings about themselves and their beauty. It seems as though Dove's global effort has began to scratch the surface on our cultural views of beauty, which will in turn affect the pop culture mavens who run Hollywood and Madison Avenue. Hollywood is beginning to embrace the concept of Real Beauty,recognizing that the next generation of women will benefit from increased self-esteem, and a belief that their true potential is not restricted by the way they appear in the mirror. Kelly Clarkston, Cate Blanchett, and America Ferrera arewonderful examples of women in Hollywood who have spoken out and embraced their "real curves" proudly. Young Hollywood believes that whether it's your freckles that you love or the dimple on your Mom's face when she smiles, every one of us is unique and fabulous in a billion different ways.

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