Podcast Title: The Review of Mess
Episode: RFK Jr: America's Beauty Czar
Hosts: Jessica DeFino & Emily Kirkpatrick
Release Date: November 29, 2024
Introduction
In the Black Friday edition of The Review of Mess, hosts Jessica DeFino and Emily Kirkpatrick delve into the convoluted intersections of pop culture, celebrity influence, and the evolving landscape of beauty and wellness. This episode intertwines discussions on celebrity endorsements, emerging fashion trends, the pervasive issue of harmful beauty standards, and a critical examination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as America's next Health Secretary.
Celebrity Endorsements and the "Substance" Movie
The episode kicks off with a humorous exchange about potentially pivoting the podcast into a hard-selling platform, which quickly shifts to discussing recent media engagements by the hosts themselves.
Emily Kirkpatrick (00:38): "I was on another podcast this month called Gabbing with Gib, where we discussed my essay 'Everything is Bravo,' exploring how Bravo's ideology permeates modern life."
Jessica DeFino (02:12): Appreciates Demi Moore's raw portrayal in the movie "Substance" and highlights Kim Kardashian's endorsement of the film, emphasizing its authenticity.
Notable Quote:
- Jessica DeFino (02:43): "Kim Kardashian's takeaway was, 'Yes, the movie was beautiful. And so was Demi Moore,' which is hilarious because it's the perfect, unfiltered endorsement."
Kim Kardashian's Tesla Robot and Technological Fascination
The hosts transition into a critique of Kim Kardashian's latest ventures, particularly her involvement with Elon Musk's Tesla robots and the Cyber Cab.
Emily Kirkpatrick (03:22): "Kim posted a sexy photoshoot with her new Tesla robot and the Cyber Cab, which is touted as a self-driving Uber without a steering wheel."
Jessica voices concern over the authenticity and functionality of these robots, referencing BBC reports that reveal these machines are controlled by humans rather than autonomous technology.
Notable Quote:
- Jessica DeFino (06:14): "Why are we putting so much effort into pretending people can be robots when we could just have people?"
Emily adds a philosophical layer, pondering the billionaires' dream of creating subservient robot servants instead of addressing societal issues like hunger and homelessness.
Beauty Standards, Body Modification, and AI
The discussion deepens into the realm of beauty standards, body modification, and the integration of technology with human aesthetics.
Emily comments on Kim Kardashian's portrayal of a cyborgian beauty ideal, drawing parallels between Instagram-fueled beauty enhancements and the fetishization of AI-driven modifications.
Notable Quote:
- Emily Kirkpatrick (10:05): "Her emphasis on anti-aging and body modifications turns her body into a machine, making cyborgian features more desirable than natural human attributes."
Jessica and Emily explore how these trends reflect broader societal desires for control over one's appearance and longevity, critiquing the commodification of human beauty.
Current Fashion Trends: Panniers, Cone Bras, and Sculpted Tops
Jessica introduces the resurgence of historical fashion elements like panniers and cone bras, analyzed through their contemporary incarnations.
Jessica DeFino (18:46): Discusses the comeback of panniers and cone bras in modern fashion, highlighting their exaggerated and sculptural aesthetics seen on celebrities like Ariana Grande and James Charles.
Notable Quote:
- Jessica DeFino (20:46): "Turning the human body into an artwork with sculpted metal torso tops dehumanizes oneself while striving to be an artistic masterpiece."
The hosts argue that these trends signify a move towards dehumanizing beauty standards, where individuals strive to become objects of aesthetic admiration rather than embracing their natural forms.
Thinspo and Pro-Ana Content on Social Media
A significant portion of the conversation addresses the alarming rise of "thinspo" (thin inspiration) and pro-anorexia content on platforms like Twitter and TikTok.
Jessica DeFino (23:30): Highlights the proliferation of pro-ana posts, emphasizing their dangerous impact on mental and physical health.
Notable Quote:
- Emily Kirkpatrick (25:22): "Not getting enough nutrients starving yourself can cause cognitive impairment, and glorifying these behaviors is extremely destructive."
The hosts stress the urgent need to address this trend, arguing that silence only normalizes harmful practices and exacerbates societal insecurities about body image.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Nominee for US Health Secretary
The centerpiece of the episode is a critical analysis of RFK Jr.'s nomination for US Health Secretary, focusing on his anti-vaccine stance and propagation of conspiracy theories.
Emily Kirkpatrick (41:40): "RFK Jr. is one of the most prominent anti-vaccine activists globally for the past 20 years, yet he claims he's not anti-vaxx because his children are vaccinated."
Jessica details RFK Jr.'s history of spreading misinformation, including unfounded claims linking vaccines to autism, COVID-19 conspiracy theories, and anti-fluoride rhetoric.
Notable Quotes:
- Jessica DeFino (42:14): "He stated that the FDA is involved in mass poisoning the public, which is the opposite of their actual mission."
- Emily Kirkpatrick (46:31): "RFK Jr.'s statements on HIV, vaccines, and fluoride are not just misguided but also dangerous, undermining established science."
The hosts express concern over RFK Jr.'s potential impact on the FDA, especially regarding the regulation of the beauty and wellness industries. They predict that his tenure could lead to deregulation, increasing consumer vulnerability to unverified and potentially harmful products.
Celebrity Beauty Brands and Conflicts of Interest
Jessica and Emily critique the proliferation of celebrity-driven beauty brands, highlighting conflicts of interest and superficial engagements with serious issues.
Jessica DeFino (67:40): Criticizes Lili Reinhart's skincare brand Personal Day for its hollow approach to mental health, where products promise clear skin as a cure for acne-related anxiety without addressing underlying beauty standards.
Notable Quote:
- Emily Kirkpatrick (69:50): "She's implying that eliminating acne is the sole solution to mental health issues related to it, which is a misleading and harmful message."
They also discuss Martha Stewart's recent actions and documentary, portraying her as unapologetically assertive and critical of fellow celebrities, thereby exemplifying the kind of "mess" the podcast aims to critique.
Closing Thoughts and Mess of the Month
Wrapping up, Jessica and Emily share their "Mess of the Month," highlighting Martha Stewart's unapologetic demeanor and controversial interactions with other celebrities. They reflect on the unrelenting pressures and superficiality in the beauty industry, urging listeners to remain critical of the messages perpetuated by influential figures.
Notable Quote:
- Emily Kirkpatrick (72:45): "Why not integrate everything into one? Give me a little poetry booklet with skincare products."
The hosts encourage a discerning approach to beauty and wellness trends, emphasizing the importance of substantive discussions over hollow marketing strategies.
Conclusion
In this episode, The Review of Mess offers a sharp, nuanced critique of the current state of beauty and wellness influenced by celebrity culture and misguided leadership. Through engaging dialogue and incisive analysis, Jessica DeFino and Emily Kirkpatrick illuminate the detrimental effects of unregulated beauty standards and the potential risks posed by RFK Jr.'s appointment as Health Secretary. This comprehensive exploration serves as a wake-up call for listeners to question and challenge the superficial narratives dominating modern pop culture.
Notable Quotes Recap:
- Jessica DeFino (02:43): "Kim Kardashian's takeaway was, 'Yes, the movie was beautiful. And so was Demi Moore,' which is hilarious because it's the perfect, unfiltered endorsement."
- Jessica DeFino (06:14): "Why are we putting so much effort into pretending people can be robots when we could just have people?"
- Emily Kirkpatrick (10:05): "Her emphasis on anti-aging and body modifications turns her body into a machine, making cyborgian features more desirable than natural human attributes."
- Jessica DeFino (18:46): "Turning the human body into an artwork with sculpted metal torso tops dehumanizes oneself while striving to be an artistic masterpiece."
- Emily Kirkpatrick (25:22): "Not getting enough nutrients starving yourself can cause cognitive impairment, and glorifying these behaviors is extremely destructive."
- Jessica DeFino (42:14): "He stated that the FDA is involved in mass poisoning the public, which is the opposite of their actual mission."
- Emily Kirkpatrick (46:31): "RFK Jr.'s statements on HIV, vaccines, and fluoride are not just misguided but also dangerous, undermining established science."
- Emily Kirkpatrick (69:50): "She's implying that eliminating acne is the sole solution to mental health issues related to it, which is a misleading and harmful message."
Link to Podcast: The Review of Mess on Substack