Christina Aguilera has produced a new video in celebration of 20 years of
Beautiful
, the second single from her 2002 album
Stripped
, and the most iconic of her hits by many fans.
This pop rock ballad had indeed become a hymn to self-esteem with its clip, revolutionary for the time, featuring subjects marginalized for their differences.
The song then peaked at number two on the charts in the United States, and has since remained cult, especially within the LGBT community.
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For this twentieth anniversary, the pop star has therefore shared a new clip and this one tackles the impact of social networks on the mental health of young people.
Because since 2002, Facebook, Instagram and other similar applications have considerably changed the social construction of adolescents, providing a multitude of opportunities to compare themselves to others, causing some of them to suffer from mental health problems, according to many scientific studies.
The new clip features young people struggling with negative messages about their bodies: young girls can be seen putting on makeup in front of their phones, many smartphones are mistaken for mirrors, a teenager examines a diet pill vending machine when others are constantly taking selfies, as if hypnotized.
There are also boys who compare themselves to a muscular man, or other young people, their faces scarred in preparation for cosmetic surgery.
Fortunately, everyone breaks the toxic pattern they are caught in and these young people choose to go outside and play.
To delve deeper into the topic, the video ends with a text statement.
“Over the past 20 years since the release of
Stripped
, social media has transformed the relationship to our bodies and, therefore, our mental health,” reads a smartphone that appears to be bleeding.
“Research suggests that time spent on social media is associated with body image issues, self-harm and eating disorders in children and adolescents.
This must change.”
Finally, the video directs viewers to the singer's website which includes links to the International Mental Health Association, an NGO called Help Guide, and another called Trans Lifeline.
"We are beautiful no matter what they say," she captioned her Instagram post, echoing the lyrics of her song.
“A message I will always support and a message I make it my priority to instill in my own children in every chapter of their lives.
Today, it's harder than ever to hear our own voice among so many others infiltrating our streams and minds with mixed messages… ultimately leading us to ignore our own truth and self worth.
The Original Beautiful
Video
was intended to raise awareness and show compassion in the face of judgment, criticism and outside opinions.
It always carries an important message to remember our core values apart from what is given to us… To find balance and accept ourselves as we are.
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