Have you heard about the recent tweet from the popular Bravo fan account @yolanda_parody? They made a cheeky comment about Heather Gay from Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, suggesting she would probably take the substance from the body-horror film The Substance. The film stars Demi Moore as an aerobics instructor who injects herself with an elixir to become younger. It’s all in good fun, but certainly not a compliment.
Reality TV stars like Heather Gay sign up to share their lives with the world, knowing that their personalities and behavior will be scrutinized for entertainment. But should their physical appearances also be fair game for criticism? Comments like the one from @yolanda_parody are relatively tame compared to the full range of insults these women receive about their looks. They’ve been called names like Shrek and Miss Piggy on camera by their own costars, so you can only imagine the hurtful comments they receive in private messages.
I’m not here to police your conversations or judge anyone’s appearance. We all notice when someone undergoes a glow-up between seasons, and that’s totally fine. But as a fandom, audience, and culture, perhaps we need to reconsider our obsession with physical perfection and stop expecting women to justify the choices they make to achieve that standard.
Heather Gay, like many Housewives before her, has been open about the cosmetic procedures she has undergone. She’s spoken about getting Botox, lip fillers, Sculptra, and more to enhance her appearance. As a self-proclaimed “bad Mormon,” she co-owns a med-spa in Utah, catering to locals who strive for perfection. While Mormonism may play a role in the Salt Lake City Housewives’ lives, youth and beauty seem to be the ultimate goals for all the Housewives across different cities.
It’s important to remember that behind the glamour and drama of reality TV, these women are real people with feelings. Let’s celebrate their individuality and accomplishments rather than tearing them down based on their looks.
