Cinderella Promoting The NEW American Dream Of Influencing

Cinderella Promoting The NEW American Dream Of Influencing

Today's SUBSTACK EXCLUSIVE CUT episode of Mila's Thoughts Lately talks about the common interpretation of the famous story of Cinderella as a pond to classical American Dream propaganda with a narrative that continuously excludes women from the success stories. Now we talk about from brother Grimm, to the controlling of narrative in fairytales, to now how the Internet has displaced narrative control into the hands of the individual. What does the American dream look like now in the era of content creators and influencers? Is Cinderella a story of grit and grinding for the American dream, or is it a manifestation story? I'd also like to apologize for part two of my recent podcast episode not coming out yet. I will work on that. That will be the next episode I promise. The corresponding mini essay will be linked here: peace and love, Mila This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vanitythoughts.substack.com/subscribe [https://vanitythoughts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Makeup As Resistance (A Casual Vanity Chat)

This vanity fireside chat is a casual recap on our new Weekly newsletter, Vanity Decoded. We really talk about the beauty industry and what it's trying to tell us about us as a collective of consumers. Did the newsletter miss your inbox? If so give it a read » HERE [https://vanitythoughts.substack.com/p/a-summer-of-fun-damential-rights] And to not miss another one subscribe to the 100% free newsletter » HERE [https://vanitythoughts.substack.com/subscribe] Our topics range from: Banana perfumes and decolonial narratives in art, Performative pride inclusion efforts in the beauty space, The anti-aging hot girl summer— Along with other beauty industry predictions to look out for this fall. Sincerely, Mila your friend. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vanitythoughts.substack.com/subscribe [https://vanitythoughts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Socialist Socialite Paradox Analysis: Chapters 1-3

In todays Episode of Vanity Thoughts we divulge into the history of American socialites, the dying art of dinner parties, and how politics influence Influencer Culture. We ask ourselves, is the IT GURL neoliberal or a libertarian? how has the gapping class divided suddenly changed with taste and affluence becoming the new status symbol. what does this mean for Generation Z as they climb the institutionalized socialite ladder with progressive beliefs on wealth and happiness. consider being a subscriber for hopefully more routine episodes and video essay Instead of continuing with the audio first podcast here, get the visual experience with the video essay here: Part two for paid subscribers will come out mid JUNE 2026. essay coming soon. sincerely yours, Mila Vanity Thoughts is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vanitythoughts.substack.com/subscribe [https://vanitythoughts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The girl next door was always a commodity, diva.

The Show Notes: * Summary * Links * Reading & Watch lists * Mocktail Recipe SUMMARY The grilled cheese crop top effect isn’t just about food; it’s the quiet negotiation we do with traditional gender roles every single day. In this episode, I’m unpacking how nostalgia gets sexualized, why we end up playing both the mother and the lover at the same time, and how Alix Earle has essentially weaponized the girl next door archetype into a full magnetic personal brand. This is about attainability, the labor it costs us, and who actually benefits from it. We elaborate on Americana advertising culture. And create connections that signify that you can't have Americana advertising culture without the inherent sexualizing of women. We also discussed the commodity factorization of women and fast food advertisements. We weathered Paris Hilton's Carl's Jr. ad in 2000 and something. Or it's Alix Earle’s NFL ad. We reflect on my previous research of the dedication of women's hunger and its connections to the girl next door archetype. Rather than just a weapon, we talk about Earle’s rise to fame using manufactured and strategic relatability and femininity to achieve sustainable attention online. We also talk about summer plans, getting sick after finals, graduating college, and our five favorite things that improve our lives. LINKS ✦ read the full essay before it goes behind the paywall on June 8th → here [https://vanitythoughts.substack.com/p/the-crop-top-grilled-cheese-effect?r=52fo5u]✦ subscribe to Vanity Thoughts for essays like this every week → here [https://vanitythoughts.substack.com/subscribe] READING & WATCH LIST The Takes: Girl Next Door Trope Explained: watch here [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDzDh0DLtz8&t=426] Alix Earles Content Stratgy breakdown: read here [https://www.saramccord.com/blog/alix-earle] The Alix Earle Effect-ELLE magazine: read here [https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a44775813/alix-earle-tiktok-interview-2023/] Bunny Talks: Teenagers Disscuss The Girl Next Door: read here [https://www.lse.ac.uk/media-and-communications/assets/documents/research/msc-dissertations/2009/Barton-final.pdf] Why “The Girl Next Door” Is Incredibly Destructive to Society: read here [https://aninjusticemag.com/opinion-why-the-girl-next-door-is-incredibly-destructive-to-society-65b0fd7d4702] MOCKTAIL RECIPE 1/4 a cup of nonalcoholic fairy wine—long-term infused with rosemary, red wine vinegar, and blood orange. fill and dilute with cold water add a few drops of vitamin D oil Add a few drops of sugar-free tasteless electrolyte mix HEALTH BENEFITS Adding a small amount of red wine vinegar to a mocktail provides several functional benefits, most notably blood sugar regulation and digestive support. These benefits primarily come from its acetic acid and polyphenol content, which remain present even after red wine is fermented into vinegar. A mocktail infused with Vitamin D acts as a functional beverage that supports immune function, strengthens bone health, and improves calcium absorption, all while providing hydration. These alcohol-free drinks promote better sleep quality, clearer skin, and improved liver health compared to cocktails. Join the discussion, and get the opportunity to ask and anonymous beauty in life questions that will make it in the next podcast episode. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vanitythoughts.substack.com/subscribe [https://vanitythoughts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The TikTok AI Beauty Filter is Changing Our Brain Chemistry

SHOW NOTES: table of context * Summary * Highlights * Reading List * Research Prompts This is Mila’s Thoughts Lately, were we talk about the beauty industry, body politics, and pop culture through through a feminist lens. Episode Summary: We’ve moved past 'Snapchat Dysmorphia' into something much more calculated. Today, we're talking about AI filters on TikTok, the medical reality of Filter Dysphoria, and why the internet is obsessed with making us look like digital clones of ourselves. Highlights: * The evolution of Snapchat face to face, Instagram face, to beauty filters now is challenged by AI innovation, taking away the ability to see someone using a filter. * Studies indicated that Gen Z and Millennials are getting plastic surgery younger as a result of this online activity. * Filter dysphoria is fostered by online social media addictions. * Different beauty filters are models of communication and community building. Reading List: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. (2019, January 23). According to a 2018 survey by the AAFPRS, 72 percent of facial plastic surgeons saw an increase in cosmetic surgery or injectables in patients under age 30 since 2013. https://www.aafprs.org/AAFPRS/News-Patient-Safety/News.aspx [https://www.aafprs.org/AAFPRS/News-Patient-Safety/News.aspx] Campbell, C., & Neuilly, M. A. (2017). Example of sociological to psychological connections in reciprocating perspective [Image]. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Example-of-sociological-to-psychological-connections-in-reciprocating-perspective_fig1_328601392 [https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Example-of-sociological-to-psychological-connections-in-reciprocating-perspective_fig1_328601392] Metzler, H., & Garcia, D. (2023). Social drivers and algorithmic mechanisms on digital media. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 19(5), 735–748. https://doi.org/10.1177/17456916231185057 [https://doi.org/10.1177/17456916231185057] Metzler, H., & Garcia, D. (2024). Social drivers and algorithmic mechanisms on digital media. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11373151/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11373151/] Research prompts The Tech Stack — “how do AI beauty filters work” deepfake face mesh augmented reality real-time The Neuroscience of Perception — “own-race effect” OR “self-recognition bias” beauty filter distorted self-perception neuroscience Filter Dysmorphia / Snapchat Dysmorphia — “Snapchat dysmorphia” OR “filter dysmorphia” body dysmorphic disorder social media plastic surgery requests study Sociological & Gender Dynamics — beauty filter feminism “digital labor” self-surveillance Foucault social media gender norms study Algorithmic Bias in Beauty AI — AI beauty filter racial bias skin tone “training data” discrimination algorithmic audit Mental Health Impact — social media beauty filters “body image” anxiety depression longitudinal study adolescents 2022 OR 2023 OR 2024 Regulatory & Ethical Responses — beauty filter disclosure law Norway OR EU “digital manipulation” advertising regulation social media ethicsWomen Full essay is readable here: https://thedesktopvanity.substack.com/p/filter-dysphoria-is-the-new-chronicCitations and Research Summary for Contributors: https://thedesktopvanity.substack.com/p/beauty-filter-dysphoria-case-studystreamable on youtube, apple podcasts, spotify and substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit vanitythoughts.substack.com/subscribe [https://vanitythoughts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]