Love islander Molly-Mae as ‘Social influencer’ – Amelia Potter
Aside from the unrepresentative display of body size, the insistant wearing of clothing less than underwear, the initial ‘coupling up’ decided purely and only by looks, there is one particular thing that I have picked up on from love island that confuses me the greatest.
Molly-Mae. A ‘social influencer’ by job title, her platform being Instagram from where she no doubt aims to influence her 159k followers.
Well let’s see how she’s done that so far.
- Firstly, she models with a body far less than the average size in society today. Promoting this image in the way she does is a false display of what is normal. It encourages many people to compare themselves and as a result for some, reduce their self worth. I’m not saying it’s wrong to be skinny or thin isn’t beautiful, it is, of course, but it is not the only thing in any way. It is just that her constant presentation of her ‘best’ self, over time, creates an image of that being her true self. Not something that is truly attainable outside Instagram. Perhaps it is not only molly that is an example of this concept, and I wouldn’t expect her to take it personally, but I just think if you are a social influencer and lucky enough to inspire people as a profession then really, what you should influence, is somebody’s drives, aspirations, displaying an inspiring way of life, and if all her followers are aspiring to be like her, little will fulfill such a drive.
- Something perhaps controversial, but When presented with flowers on the show, an act of courtship and romance, she expressively displays her negative opinion calling it the ‘cringes thing’ and showing little gratitude. I wouldn’t say I’m a great romantic but it was sad to see good old fashioned courting styles go out the window and be laughed at.
- Not only does Molly mae have a high potential in her position to influence our perception of courting styles, our vocabulary too could be under-threat. Unclear phrases such like ‘you’re a sort!’ were one of her first on the show. It may just be her dialect and I don’t mean to criticise her vocabulary but what do you mean Molly? Say what you mean!! A sort-of risk perhaps? a sort-of nice guy? a sort-of human? A little elaboration wouldn’t go amiss. I find it hard to agree with her position of influence when she fails to display the need and value of honesty.
- Molly later displays what she ‘goes for in a guy’ to be ‘tall, teeth and tan’. Right. So do we care at all about their morals? What about if they have a filling but are kind? What if they’re you’re height but lovely? Personalities seem underrated under such an influence. Later, Molly extends her explanation saying, ‘I find his job attractive!’ another example that displays a superficial romantic tone. Perhaps not the influence we should be under, defining people by their particular job or uniform.
A couple of smaller points:
- If ever considering to take Molly’s advice on nature, do refrain. A dragon fly flies past Molly, she is shocked and exclaims, ‘no that is a bird not a dragon-fly’. No Molly, that was a dragon fly. Different thing.
- Looking at her arm, “I’ve got really hairy arms” she points out.
- “Gross” she exclaims. One of the few natural things left, so it’s gross ? Great message, well done.
Recently more than ever, I feel that anybody with just a small platform under their feet, should use it in such a way to POSITIVELY influence the society they display themselves in front of. And therefore, what perhaps aggravates me the most, is the unfulfilled potential Molly-Mae has within her status.
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