Are celebs’ body posts harmful or harmless?

Nicola McClean and Sophie Kasaei debate it...

towie nicola mclean sophie kasaei

by Daisy McLure |
Updated on

Our Instagram feeds are often packed with celebrities and influencers racking up their likes and earning money by showing off their “perfect” bodies.

But the uneasy quest for “perfection” was highlighted recently when an unfiltered image of Khloé Kardashian was leaked online, reportedly by mistake by her assistant, that looked drastically different to the one shared online the day before.

The 36-year-old Kardashian sister immediately received an angry backlash for not being “genuine” or “real” with her followers.

But Khloé – who owns workout brand Revenge Body and often posts snaps of herself in bikinis – defended the untouched pic by posting a video of her “real” body in an Instagram video, adding that she likes sharing filtered pics because of the “unbearable” pressure to be perfect after being branded the “fat” and “ugly” sister.

She added she had been conditioned to feel she was unattractive after years of having “every single flaw and imperfection” analysed, saying, “You never quite get used to being judged and pulled apart and told how unattractive one is, but I will say, if you hear anything enough then you start to believe it.

“This is an example of how I have been conditioned to feel, that I am not beautiful enough just being me.”

Her raw post led to actress and activist Jameela Jamil – who has openly criticised the Kardashians for promoting health and fitness fads to their young fans – calling on Khloé to admit to having had plastic surgery and using editing apps to alter her appearance.

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Khloe back in 2011 ©Getty Images

Reality star Vicky Pattison, 33 – who released a best-selling fitness DVD, before taking to Instagram more recently to promote “body positivity” with images of her curves and cellulite – supported Khloé and admitted she has edited images in the past to make herself feel better.

With stars raking in millions of pounds from their body posts, we ask two celebrities if sharing unrealistic snaps on social media is harmful…

Nicola McLean: ‘Being honest about how you look is better for people’s self-esteem’

Former glamour model Nicola McLean, 39, says those who airbrush their pictures to look “unrecognisable” are “deluded”.

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Nicola has spoken up ©Shutterstock

She tells Closer, “Retouching your pictures here and there is fine, but you have to be transparent about it. Until two weeks ago, my Instagram bio had a disclaimer for three years that read, ‘I’m not perfect, I like to filter my picture to make me look perfect.’ I filter all my pictures, but I don’t airbrush them or use the FaceTune app, and I’m honest about it. I had to take the disclaimer off because the rest of what I wanted to say couldn’t fit in but it’ll go back on at some point.

“Khloé looks great in her natural pictures – it’s just a bad light. I’ve been a model for 15 years and, back then, there was no retouching. I know how to pose for a picture; I know good lighting and I know my angles, so I don’t really need to retouch anything. When you’ve heavily filtered a picture, you can’t moan about it when you get caught out.

“It’s better to accept what you really look like. It’s not the pap’s fault; it’s not a picture that’s caught you off-guard – it’s your own fault for lying. Some people become really deluded and start to think they look like their airbrushed pictures, which is unhealthy. Being honest is better for everyone’s peace of mind and their self-esteem.

“The problem with going so extreme is that people no longer look like themselves. I like to think I look in reality how I look in a picture. I don’t want people coming up to me in the street for a selfie and saying, ‘You don’t look like that.’ You can’t moan about an unfiltered picture if you’ve filtered the s**t out of one to look unrecognisable.”

Sophie Kasaei: ‘Not everyone is confident enough to post unedited photos’

Geordie Shore star Sophie Kasaei, 31, reveals that filters help her earn a living and feel good about herself.

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Sophie is known for her role on Geordie Shore ©Getty Images

She says, “I think it’s OK to edit pictures if it makes you feel good. I get a lot of paid posts and I wouldn’t be able to work with anyone if I posted an image of myself looking like rubbish every day. That’s the honest truth.

“Brands work with you to use your image. As long as you wear good clothes, you look good and you’ve got the right lighting, brands will keep working with you and it’s good for your profile and your bank balance. If I post a photo where I look like crap and it’s unflattering, no one will want to work with me. It’s a harsh game.”

Check out: AXED Geordie Shore cast then and now

Gallery

AXED Geordie Shore then and now SLIDER

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Charlotte Crosby in 2011

Charlotte Crosby takes to the red carpet before appearing in the first ever series of MTV's Geordie Shore.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Charlotte Crosby now

Charlotte's had a massive transformation over the years, and has been smashing it in her career since her Geordie days. She hosts Just Tattoo Of Us' has released books and fitness DVDs, and a show all about her.

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CREDIT: Tony Kyriacou/REX/Shutterstock

Holly Hagan in 2011

Before her Geordie Shore debut, Holly Hagan looked like this.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Holly Hagan now

Now, it would seem that Holly's taken some inspo from Kim K, as her look has drastically changed.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Greg Lake in 2011

Greg appeared in Geordie Shore from the very beginning, but didn't make it past series one.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Greg Lake now

Greg was married to Hollyoaks star Jennifer Metcalfe, with whom he has a baby.

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CREDIT: MTV

Gaz Beadle in 2011

Here's Gaz before embarking on his long-running career on Geordie Shore.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Gary Beadle now - aged 29

In terms of poses not much has changed. But, believe it or not, this Geordie hunk has left the dating scene behind, because he's loved up with wife Emma McVey.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

James Tindale in 2011

James's debut on Geordie Shore saw him spend 90% of his time at the gym and the remaining 10% flexing his muscles in the mirror.

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CREDIT: Instagram

James Tindale now

Looks like he stuck at it!

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Jay Gardner in 2011

'The dad of the Geordie group' Jay was the oldest member of the show. Who could forget those iconic 'brows...

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Jay Gardner now

And, years later, his brows are still on fleek.

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Vicky Pattison in 2011

Fiesty Vicky has had quite the transformation over the years...

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CREDIT: Instagram

Vicky Pattison now

But she's since dropped her wild days and is now engaged to Ercan Ramadan.

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Sophie Kasaei in 2011

Sophie joined Geordie Shore show in series one, but was axed for her unacceptable behaviour two years later. She later returned to the show in 2016 with a slightly newer cast!

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CREDIT: Shutterstock

Sophie Kasaei now

She's since glowed upppppppp, and is now back on the show.

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CREDIT: MTV

Ricci Guarnaccio in 2011

Ricci joined the show in series two, and had a rollercoaster of a relationship with Vicki Pattison.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Ricci Guarnaccio now - aged 31

He now works as a DJ and occasional film actor.

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CREDIT: MTV

Rebecca Walker in 2012

Rebecca also joined the show in series two, and was known for her bust-ups, dramas and fallouts.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Rebecca Walker now

Now, she's ditched the party days and has become a mum of three.

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CREDIT: MTV

Daniel Thomas

Dan joined Geordie Shore in the fourth series and left at the end of series five.

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Daniel Thomas now

He doesn't look all that different now, but he's certainly been enjoying life (and the gym).

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Scott Timlin 2013

Life and soul of the party Scotty T joined the show in series four.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Scotty T now

And WHAT a career this Geordie has had. Fromwinning Celebrity Big Brotherto landing a cameo appearance in Neighbours to even having a girlfriend, he's definitely seen success in the media industry.

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CREDIT: MTV

Marnie Simspon 2014

Marnie entered the house in series seven. Back then, she described herself a "natural beauty".

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CREDIT: Instagram

Marnie Simpson now - aged 25

Marnie had several cosmetic procedures done since being on the show, including a nose job, lip fillers and a boob job.

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CREDIT: MTV

Aaron Chalmers then

Tatted-up Aaron Chalmers joined in the eighth series and had an infamous on-off relationship with Marnie. It was SO juicy to watch.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Aaron Chalmers now

Aaron quit Geordie Shore to focus on his career as an MMA fighter, along with his spending more time on his relationship.

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CREDIT: MTV

Kyle Christie then

How young does Kyle look?! We barely even recognised this Geordie Shore star.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Kyle Christie now

Well HELLO there Kyle. Talk about a transformation people.

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Marty McKenna

Marty McKenna was the cheeky chappie who joined the cast along with Chantelle Connelly who didn't quite cut the mustard with the all alpha boys – especially after he played Chloe and tashed on with Charlotte behind Gaz's back.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Marty McKenna

Marty was axed from the show along with Scotty T for bad behaviour, but while Scotty was reinstated and is now one of the longest serving Geordie Shore cast members EVER, Marty didn't make the cut.He's grown some stubble, and is dating a fellow Geordie lass called Kat.

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Chantelle Connelly

Pint size Chantelle Connelly was determined to cause chaos when she entered the house, and certainly made some enemies during her brief stint on the show.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Chantelle Connelly

Chantelle baffled the world over when she shared a picture of herself with some impressive abs at five months pregnant, leading some fans to speculate she was faking her pregnancy.

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Abbie Holborn

The longest lasting housemate from the prolific Radgie Rampage series, Abbie Holborn initially set her sights on Love Island's Sam Gowland before he got together with Chloe.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Abbie Holborn

Abbie wasn't in the promo for series 19, but denied she'd been sacked when she took to Twitter to say, "Oh, I've been sacked apparently..."She later turned up a caused a stir by snogging new boy Beau Brennan, who'd been getting close to new girl Bethan Kershaw.

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Elettra Lambourghini

Quite frankly, we couldn't understand why Elettra ACTUAL Lamborghini, heiress to the actual Italian car business, was even in Newcastle in the first place.

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CREDIT: Getty

Elettra Lamborghini

Elettra has returned to Italy to pursue her one true dream of becoming a popstar.

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CREDIT: Getty

Eve Shannon

As part of a fresh line up of cast members for the Radgie Rampage series for 2017, Eve Shannon broke the mould with BLONDE HAIR (shocker)

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CREDIT: Instagram

Eve Shannon

Eve had been living her best Insta-influencer life and posting plenty of sexy lingerie selfies on her social feeds. She's also got an Only Fans account, favourited by fellow G Shore alumni Holly Hagan.

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CREDIT: MTV

Billy Phillips

Brought on for the same season, Billy Phillips didn't make enough of an impression and was axed from the show after just one series.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Billy Phillips

Still doing the rounds as a lad about 'toon, Billy looks to have settled down with a nice Geordie lass. Hiscousin Nat has joined the show for series 19.

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CREDIT: Getty

Chelsea Barber

Also to leave was Chelsea Barber, who fell out with long time pal Marnie Simpson in the house over Aaron Chalmers.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Chelsea Barber

Chelsea dated Kyle Christie long before either of them joined the G Shore cast, and claimed that after his split from Holly Hagan he was right back in touch.

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Sam Bentham

One Radge Academy to make the cut slightly longer term was Sam Bentham, who reportedly dated Charlotte Crosby way back in 2014 after meeting at one of the infamous Geordie Shore house parties.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Sam Bentham

Now heavily tattooed, Sam has put his reality TV past behind him and opened up a trendy barber shop in his native Hoults in Newcastle, and has styled the hair of Kyle Christie and Marty McKenna.

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CREDIT: MTV

Sarah Goodhart

Sarah Goodhart was enrolled into the Radge Academy thanks to her links to Marty McKenna. The two dated as teenagers, and sparks instantly few between her and Marty's current squeeze Chloe Ferry.

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CREDIT: Youtube

Sarah Goodhart

Sarah now has 23k subscribers to her YouTube channel, where she makes honest, emotional videos about her time on Geordie Shore. Recently she uploaded an 18 minute one where she claimed producers had manipulated and taken advantage of her, leading her to quit her job before she was made permanent.

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CREDIT: MTV

Zahida Allen

Zahida Allen entered the Geordie Shore house fresh from the more exotic coastlines of Ex on the Beach, claiming she had 'unfinished business' with Gaz Beadle.

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CREDIT: Twitter

Zahida Allen

Zahida was reportedly dropped from Geordie Shore after she failed to act upon her 'unfinished business' wit Gaz, leaving producers disappointed.

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CREDIT: MTV

Grant Molloy

The casting of Grant Molloy was contentious from the very beginning, after Chloe Ferry threw a tantrum demanding he was removed after hearing bad things about him from friends on the 'toon. It was especially awkward when he made firm friends with Chloe's boyfriend, Sam Gowland.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Grant Molloy

After just one series on Geordie Shore, Grant returned to focusing on his two true loves – playing rugby and getting lots of tattoos.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Alex MacPherson

Another day, another Geordie shake up. For series 17 the cast moved over to Australia's Golden coast. Alex MacPherson was the long haired adonis who quickly hooked up with G Shore LEDGE Sophie Kasaei.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Alex MacPherson

Other than spending lots of time in the gym, Alex has clearly been missing his Geordie besties as he's been posting plenty of throwback pics to his instagram.

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Chrysten Zenoni

Bikini model Chrysten Zenoni quickly caught the eye of the lads and ruffled more than a few feathers with the girls – man handling Sam's crown jewels as well as claiming she slept with former cast member Gary Beadle while he was on a promotional tour in Oz and still together with Lillie Lexie Gregg.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Chrysten Zenoni

Chrysten is still modeling swimwear on the Sunshine Coast, and not long after appearing on Geordie Shore joined the cast of Ex on the Beach, where she revealed she'd also had a fling with reality TV's biggest lothario, Stephen Bear.

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CREDIT: Getty

Dee Nygen

Smiley smiley pole dancer Dee Nygen made no secret of her desire to "get a shag" in the house. She made a beeline for Adam Guthrie when he came into the house midway through the season, who later branded her "easy" – charming.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Dee Nygen

Super fit Dee has recently taken part in grueling reality show The Challenge: War of the Worlds alongside Bear and Love Island's Georgia Harrison.

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CREDIT: MTV

Nick Murdoch

Nick boasted about the fact that he'd dumped his girlfriend by text the night before filming started because he didn't want to cheat on her, and then threw a tantrum when Chloe Ferry and Sam Gowland wanted the shag pad after not seeing each other for days.

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CREDIT: MTV

Nick Murdoch

Perhaps embarrassed by his stint on the show, Nick's chosen to shun the Australian limelight and has set his social profiles to PRIVATE, which is unheard of in reality TV world.

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CREDIT: MTV

Adam Guthrie

Adam Guthrie entered the house halfway through the Gold Coast series, despite being a bona fide Geordie through and through.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Adam Guthrie

Adam has been enjoying the raised profile of being on G Shore by posting lots of pouty selfies. He returned in series 19 as a part timer.

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CREDIT: MTV

Faith Mullen

Producers decided to shake things up with Faith Mullen, a plus-sized influencer and Christian who believes sex before marriage is a sin.

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CREDIT: MTV

Faith Mullen

Faith was originally billed to return to the show part time but declined to come back after producers hired her arch nemesis. In the mean time, she's been doing what all youths should be doing and living her best life on holiday with her mates.

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Get the best celeb interviews in Closer magazine each week ©Closer magazine

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“I know we’ve got to be role models for fans. I’m very aware of who’s going to see the pics but, at the same time, we’ve got a job to do. People know me through TV, getting papped and being out there, so it’s very hard for me to look significantly different on Instagram.

“I remember a time where I was scrutinised for being overweight and photos weren’t flattering, but I embraced that. It wasn’t until I started losing weight and looked after myself that my Instagram pics started to look better. That’s when brands wanted to work with me more. It doesn’t have to be perfect images every single day – that’s unrealistic – but interactions all add up and looking good is part of being an influencer.

“I thought Khloé looked amazing in the unedited picture. The Kardashians have admitted to having tweaks; we know it’s not all natural, so why pick fault with it? Why have a go at her? People in the public eye do edit their photos and I think it’s OK. Not everyone is confident enough to post unedited and that should just be accepted. I don’t think it’s harmful to the fans.”

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