Social influencers and the perfect body

The Documentary Podcast

BBC

Society & Culture, Documentary, Personal Journals

4.3 • 2.6K Ratings

🗓️ 14 January 2021

⏱️ 26 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In the age of social media and the selfie, the perfect look is everything. That's what online influencers tell their followers. Some are also happy to provide a 'how-to’ guide to obtaining the perfect body through cosmetic surgery. Often though, they are cashing in – taking payment and perks to promote certain clinics – and not always declaring the fact. Those who read their reviews and watch their videos can easily be misled into thinking that their recommendations are impartial. What’s more, the surgical procedures that influencers push can be risky or even downright dangerous. For Assignment, Joice Etutu hears from women whose lives have been changed after booking surgery in Turkey through one clinic where procedures have gone wrong – and where influencers themselves regret ever getting involved. Producer: Kate West Reporter: Joice Etutu Editor: Gail Champion (Image: Plastic surgeon marking a woman’s body for plastic surgery. Credit: Getty Images)

Transcript

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0:00.0	How gorgeous is this? Yeah, this is what I got to wake up to every morning.
0:07.0	Isn't this immaculate guys?
0:11.0	BBC World Service. Welcome to assignment.
0:15.0	I'm Joyce A22 and you join me as I'm watching some videos on YouTube.
0:20.0	This is the front room, the living area. As you can see this looks like a picture but yeah.
0:27.0	And there's like a jacuzzi bath in this ensuite.
0:30.0	A young woman smiles as she waves into a mirror.
0:35.0	And shows us around a luxurious apartment in East Dumbledore.
0:39.0	I can honestly say I don't want to stay anywhere else if I ever come back to Turkey.
0:44.0	And even because of the holiday because this place is so beautiful.
0:48.0	Yeah, so that's the house guys.
0:52.0	In normal times, Turkey is a top holiday spot for Europeans.
0:57.0	And sure enough, we can see a beautiful relaxing scene under a pristine blue sky.
1:02.0	But this film is no travel guide.
1:05.0	It's showing us around a recovery house.
1:07.0	A place for patients to recuperate after cosmetic surgery.
1:11.0	One of the bad dreams for the nurses is a utility room here as well.
1:16.0	And this isn't again where the nurse might sleep.
1:20.0	The young woman in the video is an online influencer.
1:24.0	And she's promoting a company could clinic hub limited.
1:27.0	Promoting it mainly to British and European women.
1:30.0	Because clinic hub sells plastic surgery for much less than clinics in the west.
	...

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