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ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP: ESSAY PLAN – ASSIGNMENT TEMPLATE

Essay Question: Are reality TV stars good role models for children?

Introduction

Something often questioned is “are reality TV stars good role models for children?” In a survey
conducted by rasmussenreports.com (2018), found that 66% of 1,000 adults surveyed said that
they believe TV stars and celebrities are bad role models for their children. Throughout this
essay, I will discuss the various points in which I believe prove that these “celebrities” are as bad
as 66% say.

Major Point #1 –

Most Reality TV Shows are made for entertainment purposes therefore only certain parts are
shown.

JUSTIFICATION:

TV producers only want the viewers to see certain things that happen but it is important to
know that we do not see everything.

Point 1: Tyla Carr a Love Island 2017 contestant spoke about how you had to tell producers
what you were going to do and if you didn’t they would make you do it again. “Liv Attwood had
to dump Sam Gowland twice last year, which was embarrassing for both of them!” bustle.com
(2019)

Justification: if viewers saw a reenactment of the same scene on a reality TV show this would
completely take the “reality” out of it.

Point 2: An article about behind the scenes on reality TV, written by Elle Hunt states:
“Manipulation is rife on reality TV, with producers often lying to contestants, depriving them
of sleep and exploiting weaknesses.” theguardian.com (2017)

Justification: This hardens my argument that having reality TV stars as role models is not always
a smart idea, as the lives they live on TV are not as glamorous as they seem.
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Point 3: People assume that after being on reality TV life goes back to normal, Jonny Mitchell,
Love Island contestant, said in an interview “it is difficult for people who find fame on reality
TV to return to normal life.” bbc.co.uk (2018)

Justification: Many people look up to these “stars” and want to follow in their footsteps, they
are not aware of the aftermath of becoming famous.

Major Point #2 –

Reality TV Stars have often had a lot of work done to their bodies and have bad habits that we
do not know about.

JUSTIFICATION:

People should not look up to people who endorse bad habits or a change to appearance,
especially at a young age.

Point 1: thesun.co.uk (2018) reports a video of Love Island contestant Megan Barton-Hanson
“appearing to snort a white substance during an X-rated photoshoot.”

Justification: This essay is about why these reality TV stars are not good role models for young
children. We do not want young children looking up to people who have habits like this.

Point 2: A survey carried out by the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, found that over 90% of
people who had plastic surgery, had negative psychological impacts europemc.org (2000).

Justification: A good role model would teach people to be themselves no matter what. Young
children should not look up to people who encourage a change in their body to feel better.

Point 3: 200,00 teenagers had plastic surgery last year, many due to celebrities. A doctor
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interviewed by Market Watch said: “These kids don’t realize those people have been filtered,
and morphed and Photoshopped” marketwatch.com (2018).

Justification: The fact that these celebrities we see on TV are contributing to teens wanting and
actually changing their body makes them bad role models.

Major Point #3 – Fame can disappear just as quickly as it appeared.

JUSTIFICATION: Once you start to become famous from reality TV shows such as Love Island
that fame can be taken away like that. This could be for many different reasons.

Point 1: Becoming famous will automatically boost someones ego. A perfect example of this is
Lindsay Lohan who was caught “in a "compromising position" sniffing cocaine in a New York
public bathroom stall” ranker.com (2007).

Justification: This backs the idea of growth in ego and doing stupid things like taking drugs. No
young person should want that lifestyle or look up to people who have that lifestyle.

Point 2: theguardian.com (2018) reports Rodrigo Alves a Big Brother contestant was removed
from the show due to the use of the “n-word” during an argument.

Justification: This shows how being on TV can change someone and make them say things they
will most definitely regret in the future. Any fame he had is most likely gone.

Conclusion

The definition of a role model is a person looked to by others as an example to be imitated. The
importance of loving yourself for who you are is crucial and the fact that many of these
celebrities promote the “perfect body” when they’ve had work greatly contradicts this.
Furthermore, the name, “reality” TV can be misleading as discussed shows are scripted and
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people are told how to act. Finally, I believe that reality TV stars are not good role models for
young people as many of their actions should not be imitated.

Introduction to conclusion - 824 words

Reference List

Full reference list of all sources cited in the main body of the essay plan, following the guidelines
found in the BU Harvard Referencing Guide.

- Rasmussen Reports, 2018. most don’t see celebrities as good role models [online] Available
from
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/entertainment/january_2018/
most_don_t_see_celebrities_as_good_role_models##targetText=A%20new%20Rasmussen
%20Reports%20national,%2C%20while%2022%25%20are%20undecided.

[Accessed on 4/11/2019]

- Bustle, 2019. Is 'Love Island' 2019 Scripted? Former Contestants Have Opened Up About The
Show's Filming Process[online] Available from https://www.bustle.com/p/is-love-island-
2019-scripted-former-contestants-have-opened-up-about-the-shows-filming-process-
17927002

[Accessed on 5/11/2019]

- The Guardian, 2017. Behind the scenes of reality TV: 'You're a little bit daft to apply' [online]
Elle Hunt Available from https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jan/12/behind-
the-scenes-of-reality-tv-youre-a-little-bit-daft-to-apply

[Accessed on 5/11/2019]

- The Sun, 2017. SNORTY GIRL Love Island’s muggy Megan caught snorting suspicious white
lines during a topless modelling shoot [online] Ellie Henman Available from
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/6660473/love-islands-megan-snorting-white-lines-
topless/

[Accessed on 5/11/2019]

- Europe PMC, 2000. Psychological complications in 281 plastic surgery practices. [online]
Borah G, Rankin M & Wey P Available from https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/10513902

[Accessed on 5/11/2019]

- BBC 5 Live, 2018. What's life like after reality TV?[online] Available from
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/Xx1XlwH9BJ31cqF7zDFsMv/whats-life-like-
after-reality-tv

[Accessed on 7/11/2019]

- Ranker, 2019. 14 Celebrities Caught Getting High on Camera[online] John Barryman

Available from https://www.ranker.com/list/top-14-celebrities-caught-getting-high-on-
camera/john-barryman

[Accessed on 7/11/2019]

- The Guardian, 2019. Celebrity Big Brother: Rodrigo Alves ejected after racist language
warning[online] Press Association Available from https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-
radio/2018/aug/25/celebrity-big-brother-rodrigo-alves-ejected-after-racist-language-
warning

[Accessed on 7/11/2019]