Part 6/11:
The discussion then ventures into the more complex and controversial territory of body representation in advertising. They observe that genuinely embracing diversity often requires a nuanced understanding that these efforts are primarily about consumer perception—whether consumers want to see themselves reflected, or whether they prefer aspirational imagery that reinforces desirability and status.
Specifically, they suggest that when brands use models who resemble everyday people—especially those far from traditional attractiveness—they risk demotivating their target audience. Rather than inspiring desire, such images might evoke dissatisfaction or disdain, making consumers less likely to associate the brand with their own ambitions of self-improvement.