It's no secret that the cosmetic surgery industry, advertising and social media have a profound impact on the way many Australians shape their views about their appearance.
Australia recorded almost 203,000 cosmetic procedures in 2018, including breast augmentations, brow lifts, non-surgical fat reduction and more, according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
In Channel 10's upcoming two-part documentary series, Mirror Mirror, host Todd Sampson lifts the lid on the beauty industry's ugly side, looking at the trillion-dollar industries that profit from society's obsession with body image.
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In the first trailer released on Sunday night, viewers got a glimpse into how far some individuals will go to change their appearance to keep up with beauty ideals projected on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
"You just want to look like an edited photo in real life," says Aussie woman Tara Jayne. "I think I want to get my boobs bigger as well."
"They're not small," Sampson reassures her, before speaking to a male bodybuilder who thinks he looks "like a toothpick" despite his very muscular physique.
We also see snippets of expert interviews, including one where clinical psychologist Dr Ben Buchanan, says, "We're absolutely genetically wired to be attracted to beauty."
In treating appearance anxiety & Body Dysmorphia I try and help people come to terms with the idea that their looks are not the problem, the BEAUTY IDEAL is the problem. I'm so pleased to turbo charge this message in @ToddSampsonOz new documentary, Mirror Mirror @Channel10AU pic.twitter.com/dH2CJzLwia
— Dr Ben Buchanan (@ben_buchanan) August 23, 2021
Another scene shows an expert highlighting the advertising industry's fixation with airbrushing. "The person without retouching doesn't sell as much," she says.
Meanwhile, another quick clip refers to ageist beauty ideals, showing an older woman closely inspecting her face as her voiceover projects, "There is no room in society for old women."
Since airing on Sunday night, the trailer has already attracted mixed reactions from social media users:
Who else will be watching #ToddSampson #mirrormirror on #ch10? Looks interesting. Pardon the pun
— Jen just Jen (@screw154) August 23, 2021
This plastic surgery shoe is already fucking with me. And it’s just the ad. Todd Sampson you’ve done it again.
— Ira Snave (@IraSnave) August 22, 2021
It might be the masked singer ads getting to me, but that new Todd Sampson doco looked good. #SurvivorAU
— Jenni Lynch (@jenni_lynch) August 22, 2021
Regardless of whether you have social media or have dabbled in cosmetic surgery, this doco will no doubt force us all to hold a mirror up to our obsession with our appearances.
Mirror Mirror premieres Wednesday, September 8 and continues Thursday, September 9 at 7.30pm on Network 10 and 10 Play on demand.
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