Analysis Of Pretty Hurts

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Recommended: Body image and cultural differences

The Nonexistent Female Guide to Perfection: Beyoncé’s Ballad of Gender Inequality and Discrimination Beyoncé places society on trial for the crime of gender inequality and discrimination with her song Pretty Hurts. Director Melina Matsoukas and singer Beyoncé Knowles illustrated a message of “perfection” with their pop music video. This video raises concerns toward females and the extent they would cross to achieve their obsession of perfection. The quest for perfection has become a norm in society, causing impractical goals and struggles for females. In the music video “Pretty Hurts,” Beyoncé targets the unrealistic standard of beauty that society has created by using imagery, real life situations, and lyrical context. In effect, she illustrates the gender inequality and discrimination females endure in society. Beyoncé Knowles, former member of Destiny’s Child, is a singer, dancer, songwriter, and actress (“Beyoncé” para. 1). Knowles is commonly known for her R&B, pop, and soul music. Beyoncé’s songs often relate to themes of love, relationships, female sexuality and empowerment (3). However, the song was not initially written by Knowles, but by Australian singer and songwriter, Sia Furler (“Pretty Hurts (song)” para. 4). Knowles, Furler, and songwriter and producer Joshua Coleman, composed the final version of Pretty Hurts. …show more content…

While in the dressing room, Beyoncé is seen receiving glares from other contestants who are aware of her bulimia problem. When surrounded by other females, women become insecure to a point that they will do anything to fit into the crowd of beautiful women. The video also shows Beyoncé losing the pageant to Miss Shaolin, but as she cheers for the crowned Miss Pretty USA, it is apparent to see that Beyoncé is upset from her loss. Beauty is at a point in society where we must look better than the girl next to us, and when we are not, our self-esteem

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