Maine (ABC/WSYR-TV) -- On magazine covers and in ads, actresses, models and even future queens have had their waists thinned, their thighs slimmed and their skin smoothed. But now, one magazine is undergoing a makeover of its own.
Seventeen Magazine says it wants to do a better job showing “real girls as they really are” and it’s all because of a 14-year-old girl from Maine.
“I hoped that Seventeen would do this, but I guess I didn’t think it would actually happen. So it’s been really exciting for me,” said 14-year-old Julia Bluhm.
ABC’s Linsey Davis first met up with Bluhm back in April. She says she was so fed up with what you might call digital diets -- the extreme Photoshopping of young models -- that she started an
online petition on Change.org, asking Seventeen Magazine to show just one photo spread that wasn’t airbrushed per month.
In just two weeks, she had more than 25,000 signatures. Since then, thousands of others have signed the petition. Her concern: Bluhm says her peers are increasingly developing eating disorders and serious body image issues as a result of what they see as unattainable looks.
“If we make ourselves heard about how important Photoshop is and how much of an effect it has on girls, they'll become more aware and Seventeen did that,” Bluhm said.
In its latest issue, Seventeen’s editor in chief spells out the magazine’s promise, saying: “Your notes made me realize that it was time for us to be more public about our commitment, so we created a
body peace treaty.”
The list consists of eight vows for the magazine staff, including promises to:
- Never change a girl’s body or face shape.
- Feature real girls and models that are healthy.
- And be totally upfront about what goes into their photo shoots.
Bluhm is calling it a victory and has updated her petition page with the headline “Seventeen Magazine Gives Girls Images of Real Girls!”
