Britney Spears has rejected retouching in Candies ads

Britney Spears might always be known as the princess of bubblegum pop music, but the singer is taking on a more feminist stance these days and doing her part to bust the celebrity beauty myth. The star has been the face of Candies footwear since 2009 and this year she’s using the spokesperson gig to get real – very real – with her fans. According to the UK’s Mirror, Spears insisted that an ad campaign featuring her in a pink bathing suit and black mules be released without retouching. She agreed to have the digitally altered versions released along with the au naturale shots, presumably as a statement on how women are expected to have “perfect” bodies.

The differences are really quite remarkable. In the airbrushed photos the 28-year-old star is made significantly thinner, shadows are moved from place to place, and cellulite ripples are eradicated. The retouched version is certainly what we’re used to seeing in ads and on magazine covers. In fact, many of us are so used to it that it seems normal. Meanwhile, a shot of what Britney actually looks like might make some people wrinkle their noses at her dimpled thighs and sturdy frame. One almost forgets that not only is Britney’s “real” body normal, it’s fantastic! Kudos to her for trying to remove some of the brainwash.