Podchaser Logo Rate on Podchaser

Episode 123

full
Published on:

21st May 2026

EP - 123 - Why Are Celebrities Thin Again? The Beauty Politics of Recession

What's a recession indicator you've noticed?

Lately, one answer keeps resurfacing online: "You can see celebrities' ribs again." And as unserious as that sounds at first, history suggests it may not be entirely wrong.

In this episode, I dive into Ozempic, recession aesthetics, quiet luxury, heroin chic, and the return of thinness as a cultural ideal. From celebrity weight loss trends to the politics of appetite, I explore how beauty standards shift during periods of economic anxiety, social instability, and cultural fear- and why women's bodies so often become the place where those anxieties are projected.

Are. You. Ready?

****************

Sources & References:

Bordo, Susan. Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body. University of California Press, 1993.

Bourdieu, Pierre. Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste. Translated by Richard Nice, Harvard University Press, 1984.

Debord, Guy. The Society of the Spectacle. Zone Books, 1994.

Foucault, Michel. Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. Vintage Books, 1995.

Foxcroft, Louise. Calories & Corsets: A History of Dieting Over 2,000 Years. Profile Books, 2011.

Rose, Nikolas. Governing the Soul: The Shaping of the Private Self. Free Association Books, 1999.

Stearns, Peter N. Fat History: Bodies and Beauty in the Modern West. New York University Press, 2002.

Strings, Sabrina. Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia. NYU Press, 2019.

Tolentino, Jia. Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion. Random House, 2019.

Veblen, Thorstein. The Theory of the Leisure Class. Oxford University Press, 2007.

Wolf, Naomi. The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women. Harper Perennial, 2002.

Additional reporting and cultural analysis referenced throughout the episode includes coverage of Ozempic and Wegovy, celebrity weight loss culture, recession aesthetics, heroin chic and 1990s fashion culture, wellness culture, self-optimization, and digital body surveillance from contemporary journalism, academic commentary, and media analysis.

****************

Leave Us a 5* Rating, it helps the show!

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-unlocked-the-podcast/id1522636282

Spotify Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/37MLxC8eRob1D0ZcgcCorA

****************

Follow Us on TikTok & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

YouTube:

@beautyunlockedspodcasthour

TikTok:

tiktok.com/@beautyunlockedthepod

****************

Intro/Outro Music:

“Fame Inc” by Savvier — https://icons8.com/music

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Support Beauty Unlocked the podcast

A huge thank you to our supporters, it means a lot that you support our podcast.

If you like the podcast and want to support it, too, you can leave us a tip using the button below. We really appreciate it and it only takes a moment!
Support Beauty Unlocked the podcast
A
We haven’t had any Tips yet :( Maybe you could be the first!

Listen for free

Show artwork for Beauty Unlocked the podcast

About the Podcast

Beauty Unlocked the podcast
Buckle up and get ready as I delve into a variety of topics regarding physical beauty.

We'll take a look at our society's obsession with physical beauty and the consequences these impossible beauty standards have had on us.
Let's face it; this fascination regarding physical beauty and body image isn't a recent phenomenon; it has been around for centuries, crossing borders, and has affected men and women alike.
The realization of this podcast has come about by my own experiences having to deal with society's perverse notion of physical "perfection" and researching an array of topics that have intrigued me over the years.
Support This Show

About your host

Profile picture for Carissa Vikis

Carissa Vikis

Hey there!
I'm Carissa, host, content creator, and producer of the indie podcast Beauty Unlocked.
Growing up, I was frequently compared and criticized for my looks and weight. This started the vicious cycle of being self-critical and loathing my body. I knew I wasn't the only one suffering from society's ridiculous notion of what "we should look like." I started digging deeper and researching various topics, and the rest is h(er)story!
Beauty Unlocked The Podcast aims to educate and bring awareness of our society's obsession with physical beauty and the emotional consequences these impossible beauty standards have. Beauty Unlocked's social media platform showcases not only my work but that of other artists, illustrators, and fellow podcasters that I admire and that share a similar message of inspiration, empowerment, positivity, and raising awareness on a variety of social issues.