Gorgeous Girl Syndrome

Phantom PainPhantom Pain Posts: 9,876
edited July 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080701_Jenice_Armstrong__Gorgeous_girl_syndrome_.html



Jenice Armstrong: Gorgeous girl syndrome?
By Jenice Armstrong
Philadelphia Daily News

Daily News Columnist

WAS THE 20-year-old Russian model's apparent suicide Saturday a case of yet another beautiful woman having achieved too much career success too soon?
Did Ruslana Korshunova fall victim to what I call the gorgeous girl syndrome in which high-profile models or actresses are so worshipped for their external attributes that no one, including themselves, tends to what's going on inside?

At this point, we can only speculate. Korshunova, the rising supermodel nicknamed the "Russian Rapunzel," is gone now, our last fleeting glimpse of her provided courtesy of Fox News, which tastelessly aired footage of her partially uncovered body lying on a New York City street. Her delicate, possibly blood-stained profile was visible in the clip. Even in death, this young woman's beauty was exploited.

It was a disturbing end to what could have been a career with much promise. Korshunova had gotten the kind of opportunities most wannabe models only dream of. She'd been featured on European magazine covers and strutted down catwalks for Nina Ricci, DKNY, Christian Dior and Marc Jacobs.

Even the story of how she was discovered is pure Hollywood: A native of the Soviet republic of Kazakhstan, Korshunova was plucked from obscurity by a modeling booker who saw her picture in an airline magazine.

After arriving in the United States while still a teenager, Korshunova managed to make inroads in a high-stakes industry known for chewing up girls faster than you can say America's next top model. But she was one of the so-called lucky ones; she was able to help financially support her family back home.

Still, it had to have been difficult for Korshunova, living so far from her family and having to compete in a high-stakes game in which participants are essentially professional clothes hangers. Gain weight, or do something else to fall out of favor with the designers and editors who do the hiring, and a model's career can just vanish.

Friends told the New York Post that the svelte 5-foot-8-inch model - a size 4 - had lost a significant amount of weight in recent weeks and had complained of a stomach ailment. On Saturday afternoon, Korshunova apparently jumped from the ninth-floor balcony of her New York City apartment. As other women her same age were going about their own lives, perhaps readying themselves for a night out with friends, Korshunova was ending hers, days before her 21st birthday.

A social networking site, on which she posted earlier this year, offered a few clues. One posting read, "I am so lost. Will I ever find myself?"

It's too late for Korshunova. But maybe her experience will serve as a warning for the next starry-eyed girl who dreams of making it big as a model. *
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Comments

  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    our lives are built on the superficial - sadly, this is a battle each of us must face not only within ourselves but to those around us ... not many win
  • Phantom PainPhantom Pain Posts: 9,876
    polaris wrote:
    our lives are built on the superficial - sadly, this is a battle each of us must face not only within ourselves but to those around us ... not many win

    Unfortunately you're right

    You usually hear about the depressed fat girl not the pretty model
    My drinking team has a hockey problem

    The ONLY thing better than a glass of beer is tea with Miss McGill



    A protuberance of flesh above the waistband of a tight pair of trousers
  • NY PJ1NY PJ1 Posts: 9,533
    she landed right across the st. from where im typing this
  • libragirllibragirl Posts: 4,632
    I think their is way too much pressure in that business. It's not very nice. It's a shame. Im glad Im average looking.
    These cuts are leaving creases. Trace the scars to fit the pieces, to tell the story, you don't need to say a word.
  • halszka123halszka123 Posts: 1,109
    I think it might be true.
    That's happen when we try to satisfy others and forget about ourselves.
    It's hard because we are society species.

    No, it's stupid what I wrote. I don't know why we all don't have time for each other, and we don't care about each others. Maybe this is the point - this is the different between Earth and Heaven?
    And we still pay not enough attention for poeple
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  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    libragirl wrote:
    I think their is way too much pressure in that business. It's not very nice. It's a shame. Im glad Im average looking.

    but can you say that you don't deep down wish you were prettier, taller, thinner, smarter, etc.??
  • That's pretty sad... but I can't help but feel that calling it "Gorgeous Girl Syndrome" just kind keeps the whole thing going. Even in protesting the exploitation of the girl's beauty, the writer exploited her beauty to make her the focal point for GGS. What's next, Pasty Nerd Syndrome? It's depression.

    I'm taking it far too seriously, but I think I have something resembling a point. :o
    Smokey Robinson constantly looks like he's trying to act natural after being accused of farting.
  • libragirllibragirl Posts: 4,632
    polaris wrote:
    but can you say that you don't deep down wish you were prettier, taller, thinner, smarter, etc.??

    Well sure sometimes, I think everyone does that. But I'm not going to jump out a window over it anytime soon..well not over that at least :p
    These cuts are leaving creases. Trace the scars to fit the pieces, to tell the story, you don't need to say a word.
  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    libragirl wrote:
    Well sure sometimes, I think everyone does that. But I'm not going to jump out a window over it anytime soon..well not over that at least :p

    well ... you got firestarter power - so, that really isn't fair ... :p
  • stickfig13stickfig13 Posts: 1,532
    I find it terribly hyprocritical of this author to say she was exploited when he himself has coined a "syndrome" after her. Not only did she kill herself, but this guy is making assumptions about someone he never met. Plus he is putting a label out there that people can use in the future.

    Pretty or Ugly...People have to be pretty disturbed to kill themselves.
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  • SwanSwan Posts: 350
    stickfig13 wrote:
    I find it terribly hyprocritical of this author to say she was exploited when he himself has coined a "syndrome" after her. Not only did she kill herself, but this guy is making assumptions about someone he never met. Plus he is putting a label out there that people can use in the future.

    Pretty or Ugly...People have to be pretty disturbed to kill themselves.

    SHE the author is a she.
    I'm the only Hell Mama ever raised.
  • libragirllibragirl Posts: 4,632
    polaris wrote:
    well ... you got firestarter power - so, that really isn't fair ... :p

    :p....That's why I have to be thankful for what I do have. Not everyone can make objects and people spontaneously combust.
    These cuts are leaving creases. Trace the scars to fit the pieces, to tell the story, you don't need to say a word.
  • libragirllibragirl Posts: 4,632
    Swan wrote:
    SHE the author is a she.

    I thought so too..:confused:
    These cuts are leaving creases. Trace the scars to fit the pieces, to tell the story, you don't need to say a word.
  • stickfig13stickfig13 Posts: 1,532
    Swan wrote:
    SHE the author is a she.

    whatever...my opinion remains the same.


    Every pretty girl that does something irrational or harmful to themselves is going to have this new "syndrome". Pretty soon we'll have a syndrom for every type of person.

    It's like ADD or OCD....Everyone seems to have it now
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  • SwanSwan Posts: 350
    stickfig13 wrote:
    whatever...my opinion remains the same.


    Every pretty girl that does something irrational or harmful to themselves is going to have this new "syndrome". Pretty soon we'll have a syndrom for every type of person.

    It's like ADD or OCD....Everyone seems to have it now

    i don't have either of those, i might have pretty girl syndrome though.
    I'm the only Hell Mama ever raised.
  • eyedclaareyedclaar Posts: 6,980
    Swan wrote:
    i don't have either of those, i might have pretty girl syndrome though.

    C'mon, apparantly inventing syndromes is easy breezy Japaneezy... Why not go with "radiantly drop dead gorgeous surrounded by lepers" syndrome?

    I need to think of a couple for myself...
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  • eyedclaar wrote:
    C'mon, apparantly inventing syndromes is easy breezy Japaneezy... Why not go with "radiantly drop dead gorgeous surrounded by lepers" syndrome?

    I need to think of a couple for myself...

    I'm a self-admitted victim of Generously Endowed (Both Physically and Mentally) Syndrome, or GE(BPAM)S.
    Smokey Robinson constantly looks like he's trying to act natural after being accused of farting.
  • Phantom PainPhantom Pain Posts: 9,876
    stickfig13 wrote:
    whatever...my opinion remains the same.


    Every pretty girl that does something irrational or harmful to themselves is going to have this new "syndrome". Pretty soon we'll have a syndrom for every type of person.

    It's like ADD or OCD....Everyone seems to have it now

    I don't think every time something happens with a pretty model or actress they'll be labeled

    Most times its drugs involved

    I do agree with you that "syndrome" and "disease" gets thrown around a helluva lot these days !
    My drinking team has a hockey problem

    The ONLY thing better than a glass of beer is tea with Miss McGill



    A protuberance of flesh above the waistband of a tight pair of trousers
  • given2fly78given2fly78 Posts: 404
    Terribly, terribly tragic.

    But unfortunately, looks play such a huge part in our society. Last weekend I went out shopping and I was wearing a ratty Pearl Jam t-shirt and shorts. No makeup, hair in a ponytail. Seriously, I was treated like crap. And I only noticed it because normally when I go shopping I'll go after work or if I can scoot out for a bit during work where I'm all decked out. And when I'm dressed up, I get the "Can I help you", "Look at this bag", "Where did you get those shoes?" crap. People fall over themselves to help when you LOOK the part.

    It was the first time I'd really noticed how you dress affects how people treat you. It kind of made me nauseous.

    Now, keep in mind, when I get dressed for work it's like I'm playing "dress up". The MOMENT I get home, I'm out of my heels and suit and into shorts or jammies. It's not natural for me, but it's part of the game.

    But it's so sad how much pressure we have to look good, smell good, perfect makeup and hair. And I have to admit, I've fallen into the trap...even if it's only during working hours. But trust me, I'm no model. :-)
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  • Heineken HelenHeineken Helen Posts: 18,095
    That's pretty sad... but I can't help but feel that calling it "Gorgeous Girl Syndrome" just kind keeps the whole thing going. Even in protesting the exploitation of the girl's beauty, the writer exploited her beauty to make her the focal point for GGS. What's next, Pasty Nerd Syndrome? It's depression.

    I'm taking it far too seriously, but I think I have something resembling a point. :o
    I think you have too :o ugly people kill themselves all the time... average looking people kill themselves... so... good looking people kill themselves too. I don't think it's a looks issue... I think it's more likely a mental health issue.
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  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    Terribly, terribly tragic.

    But unfortunately, looks play such a huge part in our society. Last weekend I went out shopping and I was wearing a ratty Pearl Jam t-shirt and shorts. No makeup, hair in a ponytail. Seriously, I was treated like crap. And I only noticed it because normally when I go shopping I'll go after work or if I can scoot out for a bit during work where I'm all decked out. And when I'm dressed up, I get the "Can I help you", "Look at this bag", "Where did you get those shoes?" crap. People fall over themselves to help when you LOOK the part.

    It was the first time I'd really noticed how you dress affects how people treat you. It kind of made me nauseous.


    Now, keep in mind, when I get dressed for work it's like I'm playing "dress up". The MOMENT I get home, I'm out of my heels and suit and into shorts or jammies. It's not natural for me, but it's part of the game.

    But it's so sad how much pressure we have to look good, smell good, perfect makeup and hair. And I have to admit, I've fallen into the trap...even if it's only during working hours. But trust me, I'm no model. :-)

    I've noticed that too and I find it highly offensive and usually take great pleasure in asking for help and generally being annoyingly polite and continuing to engage in conversation with the sales person if I think they're making generalizations about me based on my attire. Think Pretty Woman, only I don't bother getting frocked up to point out the error. It's a disgrace really.

    This idea that the world has that it's all about how you look instead of who you are is a very sad indictment on the human race. Seemingly it extends to all kinds of things, for instance if you're disabled you must put on a brave face and be inspirational, if you're overweight then you must be unhealthy, depressed and lead a miserable life, if you're unnattractive you must be stupid and a loser, if you're old you must not look after yourself and be cranky supposing people even see you at all. It goes on and on. I wonder how long it will take before people wake up and smell the roses? It's all subjective anyway. Breathtakingly beautiful people are no better or worse than anyone else. We're all here and we all have something completely unique about us, it seem ludicrous in the extreme to deny that.
    But then I find the whole fashion/media industry to mostly be a complete waste of space anyway.

    I'm with you Rhino, giving the situation a catch phrase is just perpetuating it.

    A tragic situation end of story, that she died pretty shouldn't even come in to it. She died, why they feel the need to continue to objectify and label her in death is beyond me and says a whole lot more about those doing it than it will ever say about her.
    NOPE!!!

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  • She wasn't pretty anyway...not all models are pretty! Especially those runway models...they are usually too skinny with big heads who just fit into the clothes nicely. Victoria Secret Models are the way to go and you don't see them killing themselves...that chick must of been on drugs!
    "All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I'm fine"
  • Swan wrote:
    i don't have either of those, i might have pretty girl syndrome though.



    I only date pretty women, I'm a sucker for a pretty face!
    "All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I'm fine"
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