Amber Willis

Charles Freeland

English Composition II 1201 - 505

April 6, 2023

Analyzing Visual Texts

When you are feeling lost or need a pick-me-up. Watching the music videos for Christina
Aguilera's song "Beautiful" will surely do the trick. Each video portrays the same message: you
are as beautiful as you are flawed. The first video addresses the insecurity and issues people face
when different t being from the world around them and being judged for it. The intended
audience for this video is adults who relate to these problems. The second video highlights how
social media has a devastating impact on children's mental health. The latest video conveys the
problem with social media and its adverse impact on young children. Though the message is the
same in each version, they both target similar problems in different ways showing that the
song’s intent was show how each generation Encounters their own struggles or similar ones but
in order to get through their struggles we need to fight for change and help each other along to
remind them with songs like these that there beautiful despite their struggles and differences.
When songwriter Linda Perry introduced her demo to Aguillera, she was surprised when
asked to record it and did not feel fit to sing it because she was beautiful. But for Aguilera she
has dealt with insecurities and doubts of her own. So, when she brought her friend in for support
and told them “Don’t look at me” Perry realized the song would fit her well and gave her the idea
for what the song was about. That it was about someone who did not think they were beautiful
telling themselves they are beautiful no matter what anyone says. When preparing to record the
song They two talks about Chrisina's physical abuse from her father. In this deep moment where
Christian is crying Linda made her sing in that moment to keep the emotion raw and imperfect
which would spread their message more (Beautiful by Christina Aguilera - Songfacts.
https://www.songfacts.com/facts/christina-aguilera/beautiful.).

At the beginning of each video, they show how everyone is affected by this different
insecurity. In the original as much in the 2nd version, the people struggle with their issues. Either
isolated from others or being judged or bullied by others. In the originality are deeply affected
shown that they do not believe act look and love one way. That it is wrong to be different and to
be happy you must be the standard society sets you. The people inside look in the mirror with
apprehension and dissatisfaction. When they walk on the street, they walk with them without
trouble and people stare at them in disgust as they walk. In the being of the 2019 version, it is as
if the children robot or in trance. They display nothing other than mindlessly staring at their
phone screens heavily drawn into the noise. Kids feel uncomfortable in their skin. Others dealing
with dark harm taught. They are severely scared mentally and emotionally from what they see
from their role models on social media. Showing how serious and dark it can get for people
struggling, young or old. Can bring to light how serious these situations are and why it is so
important to the singer and songwriter to seek awareness.

In one scene in the latest version of the music video we see a boy in his hospital room
sitting at a table with a razor Infront of him. In another clip he is shown staring out the window
isolated in his room. Once again, we see him sitting at the table with a ton of medication on the
table and he takes. Near the end of the video once again we see him staring out the window
longingly. Only this time he is not alone and isolated. Another boy comes in and places his hands
on his shoulder. When he does this, we see all the rest of the kids take off their make-up and rip
up the magazines. Regretting what they see on the screen and believing in themselves. This
shows how someone can struggle so much alone and can seem too dark and harmful to handle.
But just one person decided to lend an ear or offer comfort to someone hurting. How powerful is
it that it could others facing similar issues and creates a ripple effect for their peers to do the
same. Something that drew me to this conclusion is the clips where it is about to end, and the
two boys are still inside. When the two hugged the boy that was first in the room made a huge
sigh dropping his shoulders and closing his eyes. It shows how much he needs that hug, how
much he needs that support and how impactful it is to your mental health to seek out your
devoted friends and family or for them seek you out by being mindful and aware of the sign of
help.

The second version of the music video References the first video. When the girl is sitting
on her bed surrounded by pictures of woman with “the perfect body” is one of the references. In
the original it is a boy instead of a girl in that setting. Another reference would be when she rips
up the magazine on the wall. As the in the original a woman rips up a magazine and puts it in the
fire. These references connect the two music videos. Though not the same, they both face
hardship and insecurities for the same reasons. They do not feel beautiful because the world
makes them believe they are not. Knowing that they are not alone. That many people are facing
the same problem as you. This can help to see that they are beautiful with their differences.
Which could lead them to seeking support from people who have already gone thought the
same thing.

In conclusion, the pressure to get fit, to feel comfortable in your own skin, and be happy
according to society's standards can be damaging to our mental health. To compare ourselves to
models on tv or always think the grass is greener on the other side. It can cause long-lasting
damage to our mental health. Severe damage that could cause eating disorders, Body Image
issues, Anxiety, Depression, Self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. From ages young and old. Can Face
insecurity and struggles but checking on our friends and family, learning self-love and finding
ways to make a difference. Fighting for change whether big are or small. Like these two music
videos. Can be life changing, impowering and beautiful.
 Work Cited

Beautiful by Christina Aguilera - Songfacts. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/christina-

aguilera/beautiful.