The art of retouching has become common place in today’s media, with advertising and magazine covers giving the faces of the so-called ‘beautiful people’ a helping hand. The process is relatively easy but not always particularly cheap; but the price of perfection it seems can never be too high-or can it? One world famous actress believed that the myth of retouching needed exploding after her somewhat altered image appeared on the front cover of an upmarket men’s magazine title.

In 2003, British actress and ‘Titanic’ star, Kate Winslet appeared on the cover of GQ Magazine; the result was surprising, particularly for Winslet herself, as her legs were reduced in size and extended in length by as much as ‘a third’ the actress claimed. Although editor of GQ Magazine Dylan Jones admitted to the digital changes he did not agree with Winslet’s view that the ‘retouching is excessive.’ The actress has been consistently honest about her views of the media’s obsession with the female body and the circle-of-shame culture we currently live in.

Other celebrities are also hitting back at digitally enhanced images, believing that people deserve to see the truth behind the lens. One of the biggest supporters of the natural look is Alesha Dixon, pop starlet and winner of hit TV show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. In her BBC Three show ‘Look but Don’t Touch’ broadcast this July, Alesha adorned the front cover of a well known magazine without her image being retouched at all, and the image was also used on billboards across London.

Alesha’s stance was simple: ‘Women aspire to be like flawless pictures in magazines but they don’t realise what goes into making them like that’. Like Kate Winslet, Alesha felt compelled to speak out after feeling that the retouching performed on a series of photos that were taken for FHM magazine was a step too far.

The BBC Three documentary confronted the tricky subject of celebrity images head on, but although women do appreciate that images have often been manipulated, they still aspire to look like them. However you can’t help but wonder, if images were more realistic, would that translate to society’s idea of beauty?

Although the morals of celebrity retouching may be unclear, there’s nothing to stop you trying the technique for fun at home. It’s relatively simple and can make you look great in the process. With the help of Photoshop and a digital camera you can try a few celebrity beauty treatments for yourself. The technique allows for spot removal, teeth whitening and even slimming that post-Christmas photo down a few pounds!

Then, simply pop all your favourite images in one of the latest digital photo frames and watch yourself transformed on screen.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Finding it hard to get a big break in the City of Angels, Knoxville supported himself and his family by working in commercials as an extra and eventually started writing for skateboarding magazine ‘Big Brother’, performing stunts that would include testing self-defense equipment on himself, which would go on to become a staple of the magazine.

After meeting skateboard crew CKY and director Spike Jonze the concept of ‘Jackass’ was born. The show ran for 3 seasons and featured Knoxville and his cohorts Bam Margera, Ryan Dunn and Steve-O amongst others, performing daring stunts, often incorporating humour to provide the viewer with can’t-watch-can’t-look-away footage, ranging from the simple – letting a succession of people kick Knoxville in the groin while wearing a protective cup; to the more elaborate – riding a miniature rocket.

The show instantly became a hit on MTV, turning the ‘Jackass’ cast into celebrities overnight and helping Knoxville land parts in Hollywood films such as ‘Men in Black II’, ‘The Ringer’ and most notably, the big-screen adaptation of ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’. The show was not without critics however, as some claimed the show was a new intellectual low in entertainment; despite the disclaimers and warnings aired at the start of episodes, the show and MTV’s parent company Viacom still received lawsuits following copycats attempting to perform the onscreen stunts themselves, often with less-than-successful results.

After the show ended two Jackass films were made featuring footage even more extreme than what was allowed on TV. Both opened at No. 1 at the US Box office, and helped to successfully launch ‘Jackass’ spin-offs ‘Viva La Bam’, ‘Wildboyz’ and ‘Dr. Steve-O’.

More recently, Johnny Knoxville made headlines due to a particularly nasty motorbike accident. As part of a tribute to trailblazing daredevil Robert “Evel” Knievel, Johnny attempted to do a back flip on a motorcycle going up a small dirt hill. Unfortunately he lost control of the bike, sending it skywards for a few seconds before plummeting onto Knoxville’s body. The accident left Johnny with a torn urethra, but thanks to proper safety precautions, motorbike insurance and the best health care, Knoxville was able to make a full recovery within months.

As for the future, there are rumours of a third ‘Jackass’ film being in production, but regardless whether it happens or not fans can expect to continue to see Johnny Knoxville taking risks on the big screen so they don’t have to.

Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.

Jennifer Love Hewitt as Melinda Gordon the main character of the television series called “Ghost Whisper”(2005-2007), a strong willed girl with strange ability to hear spirits that able her to speak with them. She help them complete their task so they will be put to rest, and allow them to crossover into the light.

This Texas- born Jeniffer has been seen in the television series called “Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber” (2005), as Katya Livingston, in “Christmas Carol” (2004), as Emily, in “In The Game” (2004), as Riley Reed an up-and-coming sports producer and single mom that becomes an on-camera reporter for ESPN, in “The Audrey Hepburn Story” (2000) a biographic made-for-TV movie, she played as Audrey Hepburn the most famous Hollywood actress.

She has also been seen in the Movies called “Garfield” (2004), as Liz a young veterinarian and known as the real owner of Odie, “Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties” (2006), in the second movie here she is Jon’s girlfriend, in “The Devil and Daniel Webster” (2004), as the Devil character of Satan also known as the prince of darkness, in “If Only” (2004), as Samantha Andrews an impetuous musician that dies in an accident after the fight with his boyfriend, in “The Tuxedo” (2002), as Del Blaine a science geek that was partner with a secret agent Devlin, in “I know what you did last summer” (1997), as Julie James one of the teens being hunted down after their car hit a stranger and dump the body into the sea, in “I Still Knew What you did Last Summer” (1998), the murderous fisherman is back to once again find and kill the survivors of the first movie. Jennifer has been nominated for Favorite Best Actress and Best Performance in movies and television programs many times.

By: fbuenanry

This article was contributed by Sophia C. of Hollywood Celebrity Archives. Access to archive of your favorite personalities in Hollywood that includes celebrity photos, gossips, wallpapers, movies, news, profile and more.