Makeovers

She entered the world stage inconspicuously, your average middle-aged woman from a small town in UK. Today, her performance has had more than 100 million YouTube views, while the internet searches for Susan Boyle continue to soar. Displaying her exceptional vocal prowess on the show 'Britain's got talent', her story was especially endearing and popular because of her unpolished appearance. However, this appearance was changed fairly quickly when Boyle went for a makeover soon after qualifying for the next round of the contest. That led to a debate over the issue of 'ugly' versus beautiful. Is the media's definition of beautiful too narrow?

Show business is responsible for making people think in terms of ugly and beautiful.

I take this positively as some of us are unaware of our hidden beauty. We can improve our looks more easily by watching television programmes. However, one should be wise enough to try such beauty tips sensibly. There is no harm in changing one's appearance a little. A good change always makes you feel fresh and light and if you feel happy, surely it would reflect on you and make you look prettier.
Shaista Asad
Sharjah

Show business is a part of the society like every other business. It reflects the behaviour of the community. We do have a strong preference for good-looking people in all walks of life – employment, politics, marriage, sports or movies. The media is responsible for this attitude, but only to a certain extent. As a society, we assume that the not so good-looking people will never end up being good at what they do.
Ghanshyam Vyas
Dubai

Today's world seems to be assessing every thing and every one based on outward appearance. This is due to excessive advertising and laying too much importance on face value. It is high time we re-learn a lesson or two in mathematics – find the 'place value' of the various digits! I wish we apply the same logic when assessing people and commodities, based on inner beauty and calibre.
Sudha Kathuria
Dubai

The media is definitely focused on looks and gives people a chance to appear on screen and show off their looks. However, it is not only focused on looks, it also helps people display their talents. I believe people get the chance to show their overall personality, which is quite good.
Syed Qamar
Sharjah

Evolution has designed human beings to reject people with unconventional appearances.

Nowadays, attractive people have an edge. Even technology and medicine cater to the demands of those who want a makeover. I recently read that people satisfied with their looks tend to be more confident. But I feel self-respect, dignified clothing, speaking skills and smartness can truly overshadow any unconventional appearance. The world needs people who can bring change through their actions, not looks.
Megha Tony
Dubai

I do not think we reject people because of their looks. But there is a tendency to expect people appearing on television to look and present themselves in a particular way. However, I definitely have an issue with people being termed 'ugly' and often, due to stereotypes, others do not expect them to be talented. Susan Boyle's incident has proved that looks don't matter as long as you are good in what you do.
Mariam Mehdi
Abu Dhabi

Everyone has their own idea of what beautiful or ugly is, and if someone does not fit it, they do label them as 'ugly'. As far as makeovers are concerned, it is not something that everyone should go for. It is an extremely personal choice. I do not think one should go for a makeover just because he or she feels that they do not fit into their social circle. But, if a person wants to look like a celebrity, it is their choice.
Sana Pal
Sharjah

As a society, you can observe people with makeovers or 'pretty' looks getting more attention. But I feel it all depends on how you portray yourself and your personal view of beautiful. However, in reality shows like 'Britain's got talent', people are sometimes forced to look in a certain way, which would give them an 'X' factor. I really think it is unnecessary.
Zaina Khan
Sharjah

Reality shows are making people lose touch with reality.

All the reality shows are fake, well-planned and scheduled. However, it is an entertaining part of society and helps keep people busy. It may also help that they are not so close to reality, because whenever you speak to your elders, you feel that they are stuck with the real things in life and keep instructing you on what you should be doing. I guess it is a very different world for today's youth.
Syed Suhail
Sharjah

Reality shows are entertaining for a certain part of the audience. As long as the participants get the chance to show their talent, skills or will power and the audience is entertained, I see no harm in it. It also feels great to participate in such contests, even if you do not win it. While luck may play a major role in determining your fortunes, looks really don't matter.
Ganga Kandaswami
Abu Dhabi

Reality shows are good if they help make stars out of ordinary people, but I am not one for fashion-based reality shows. In such programmes, contestants tend to go to another extreme in terms of their behaviour or language. I feel people should stay the way they are rather than going for makeovers. If a person does not feel good about little things like their nose or lips, it may be alright to go for a makeover.
Sheldon Fernandes
Sharjah

As far as talent contests are concerned, there is real talent on display at reality shows. However, I do feel that contestants are popular only until the show is on air. After the season ends, they are nowhere to be seen. As far as reality shows like Big Brother are concerned, they are an absolute waste of time. People and their reactions are fake and there is no real purpose to these programmes.
Abhishekh Singh
Sharjah

Susan Boyle's story will inspire countless others to reach for the stars.

The audience as well as the judges underestimated Susan Boyle the moment she walked on stage. They laughed at her and made a joke out of her. At the end of her performance, she made a joke out of all their preconceptions. I feel that even other people have to prove themselves more than a 'good-looking' person, which is certainly not fair. In our society, beauty wins over brains every time because of stereotypes and Boyle's story gives every one some hope.
Rabab Hussain
Sharjah

When you see someone who is not so 'fantastic' looking and does not have the charisma in their personality come and sweep you off your feet, it is definitely very inspiring. Underdogs are definitely inspiring for the masses. Our society is seeped in biases against looks and class. The whole concept of 'love at first sight' is also based on such stereotypes. While incidents like Boyle's make me happy, I don't see it going anywhere. Some things never change
Huzaifa Kalimi
Al Ain

It will inspire others to believe in themselves. Boyle wasn't your typical singer and everyone laughed at her when she came in. There is a lot of stereotyping in the entertainment world and she will definitely give others courage, too. Even in everyday life you face problems if you are not pretty, but at the end the day talent matters. If you have it, you will succeed. Makeovers are acceptable, but do not change who you are, because then you will never be happy.
Conchita Mary Fonseca
Dubai

Mostly it would, if people see that they would be more confident to display their talent. I think people are not as affected by media stereotypes. In everyday life it does not matter what the media tells them, they have a better idea of what is 'beautiful'. It also depends on how people behave and treat others. If there is a talent in someone external appearance comes second. At the end, what made her a celebrity was her talent not her looks.
Anshu Singh
Sharjah