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The fact that people share an idealized version of themselves on social media, cherry-picking only the best images, thoughts, and experiences isn't new. But the lengths they go to marketing themselves keep surprising even the ones who think they've seen it all.

I'm talking about r/Instagramreality. It's a subreddit whose members strip down the glamor of make-up, flattering poses, and all kinds of photo editing, and expose the truth behind the facade. It's been around since 2017, and we've written about it numerous times (here, here, and here), but even these folks still get baffled at how absurd some of these manipulations are. Here are a few reasons why.

#2

A Fairly Popular Local Influencer Recently Made An Appearance On TV. A Lot Of Her Fans Apparently Had Trouble Recognizing Her At First

A Fairly Popular Local Influencer Recently Made An Appearance On TV. A Lot Of Her Fans Apparently Had Trouble Recognizing Her At First

SwissMercyMain Report

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Klaatu Verrata (Cough)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yikes. Filler is expensive. Always amazes me how much vain people will pay to turn themselves into literal caricatures of themselves.

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In an earlier piece on r/InstagramRealityBored Panda spoke to Siobhan Ward, a primary therapist at Life Works, a rehabilitation center that provides treatment for addictions and eating disorders, about the scope of social media addiction in the United Kingdom.

"If you broke 'social media addiction' down into categories, it would encompass other process or behavioral addictions such as porn and gambling, as well as eating disorders, especially predominant with the likes of Instagram," Ward explained. "It may be that the addiction is not with the social media itself, but the social media has become a tool of other addictions."

The therapist thinks people can't stop faking and editing their Instagram photos (even when it's an obvious lie) because of brain chemistry. "Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that comes into play with the addict — it is what tells us that we enjoy something and therefore need to do it again as it gives us pleasure."

"If the person is taking a lot of selfies that have to be 'perfect', then maybe they are not addicts. Instead, this could be a sign of a possible narcissistic personality disorder. Also, if someone is posting pictures to get as many likes as possible, they may not be getting certain needs met in their life. They may not have the love, support, or even safety that they need now or that they needed when they grew up and therefore have had to find another way to fill that hole," Ward said.

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#3

A Man, For A Change. Not Sure If Satire Or For Real. Behold, The Wall-Bending Biceps And Butt

A Man, For A Change. Not Sure If Satire Or For Real. Behold, The Wall-Bending Biceps And Butt

jueoni Report

#5

This Is Funny And All But It’s Getting Out Of Hand

This Is Funny And All But It’s Getting Out Of Hand

stonemilking Report

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Steve Barnett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm getting the feeling that I'm probably going to make more Slender Man jokes.

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Interestingly, being reminded that social media is fake can also 'fill' us. In a 2019 study, researchers decided to investigate the effect 'Instagram vs. Reality' pictures (the ones containing side-by-side photographs of the same woman, one an idealized depiction and the other a more natural depiction) have on body image.

They got together 305 women aged between 18 and 30 years, the largest demographic group of Instagram users. The sample had a mean age of 25.34 years, and their mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.98, indicating a slightly overweight sample. The majority of participants identified as Caucasian (69.2%), followed by Latino/Hispanic (11.8%), African American (10.2%), Asian (6.6%), Native American (0.3%), and 'other' (2.0%). The participants were randomly assigned to view one of three sets of Instagram images over a period of time: 'Instagram vs. reality" images, the 'ideal' side alone, or the 'real' side alone.

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#9

In Reality, Birds Flap Their Wings When They Fly

In Reality, Birds Flap Their Wings When They Fly

_waigwe Report

#10

Unfortunately Did Not Pass Her Photoshop Class Though

Unfortunately Did Not Pass Her Photoshop Class Though

fannywaffles Report

"[The study found that] viewing the 'Instagram vs. reality' and real images resulted in decreased body dissatisfaction relative to the ideal images," the researchers wrote. "Furthermore, the detrimental effects of appearance comparison were much less marked for the 'Instagram vs. reality' and real images than for the ideal images. It was concluded that 'Instagram vs. reality' and real posts have the potential to bolster women's body satisfaction, but more research is needed to assess their longer-term impact."

Siobhan Ward said that we need to become aware of what we believe we are getting from the Internet in order to start resisting its temptation. "By understanding why [we] turn to the Internet, [we] can start to think about healthier ways to meet these needs."

#11

This Guy Popped Up In My Feed As A Sponsored Story

This Guy Popped Up In My Feed As A Sponsored Story

Lksarchitecs Report

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#12

Yes, The Giant Feet Syndrome, More And Coomon These Days

Yes, The Giant Feet Syndrome, More And Coomon These Days

Slow-Werewolf Report

#13

We’ve Seen Tiny Heads…now Get Ready For Giant Feet!

We’ve Seen Tiny Heads…now Get Ready For Giant Feet!

meep_meep_merp Report

#15

"The Model Has Achieved This By Chewing On A Plastic-Looking Contraption"

"The Model Has Achieved This By Chewing On A Plastic-Looking Contraption"

metti-021 Report

#16

Photoshopped Herself Into Oblivion, Grandpa Can Stay Lookin Old Af

Photoshopped Herself Into Oblivion, Grandpa Can Stay Lookin Old Af

ZeuslovesHer Report

#18

From Her Profile vs. Tagged

From Her Profile vs. Tagged

Yayitselizabeth Report

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Sarcastic Cow
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you photoshoped yourself hard enough to be Kate Siegel. Good job.

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#19

Reminder: This Is Not How These Women Look In Real Life

Reminder: This Is Not How These Women Look In Real Life

jassicassi Report

#20

Internal Organs? Never Heard Of Them

Internal Organs? Never Heard Of Them

look4alec Report

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#22

What The Model Posted vs. Photographer

What The Model Posted vs. Photographer

clutchkickmurphys Report

#23

She Was On A Popular Reality Show. I'll Never Understand Why They Do This When We've All Seen What They Really Look Like!

She Was On A Popular Reality Show. I'll Never Understand Why They Do This When We've All Seen What They Really Look Like!

TheStayAtHomeAtheist Report

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wendillon avatar
Monday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why accept the reality show invite if you've modified your online image this much is what I don't understand. You KNOW you don't look like your pictures, so why expose yourself? [Why change yourself this much is a question for another day]

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#25

Arms So Big They Warp The Plane Seats?

Arms So Big They Warp The Plane Seats?

FreddieL2103 Report

#26

This Cannot Be Real! Inhumanly Possible To Look Like This

This Cannot Be Real! Inhumanly Possible To Look Like This

fenixdarkdirk Report

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James016
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is the guy from TOWIE (UK reality TV show) and he is dangerously thin at the moment

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#27

I Was Startled By This While Scrolling

I Was Startled By This While Scrolling

tedleydoright Report

#28

Girl I Go To Uni With Always Edits Her Photos Like This.. The Second Pic Is How She Actually Looks

Girl I Go To Uni With Always Edits Her Photos Like This.. The Second Pic Is How She Actually Looks

BigBootyBianca Report

#30

Her Index Finger Seems To Be Melting Down Her Bum

Her Index Finger Seems To Be Melting Down Her Bum

SunnyAmerican Report

#31

Her Gravitational Pull Is So Strong It Distorts Everything Around Her Waist

Her Gravitational Pull Is So Strong It Distorts Everything Around Her Waist

samiam130 Report

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Tobias Rieper
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this whole page could just have a picture of Thanos after he gets the reality stone with caption now reality can be whatever i want

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#32

Two Of Her Fingers Are Thicker Than Her Wrist, Wtf

Two Of Her Fingers Are Thicker Than Her Wrist, Wtf

MelanieSenpai Report

#33

Repeat Offender. This Girl Has No Shame

Repeat Offender. This Girl Has No Shame

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mintyminameow avatar
Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So the one who gets bullied online for not living up to certain beauty standards and then mocked relentlessly when she tries to change how she looks?

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meghang220 avatar
Slytherin_4_LYF
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People really are dumb. These pictures are YEARS apart. She lost a ton of weight, so people slam on her when she is heavy and also now that she lost the weight??!! There is no pleasing anyone. But she's been very upfront about what she does to her body and she's had lip injections and some injections on her jaw and forehead. Not photoshop Not plastic surgery.

tbotts avatar
OddPenguin
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Has nothing to do with weight loss. Credit where credit is due, good for her. The picture is heavily photoshopped and distorts her facial bone structure. That's sad on a different level - she's still trying to conform to an unrealistic standard.

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Pat Bond
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty sure there's well over a decade between these photo's.

jaynekyra avatar
Jayne Kyra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is well-known that Kelly Osbourne (daughter of THE Ozzy) had procedures done, and also lost a ton of weight.

stevensedwards avatar
Hannah Edwards
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She’s made herself unrecognisable from surgery, not that I dislike her new look, but I liked how she looked originally because she was so distinctive and cute.

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AnxietyRiddenMom
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Except she really has lost weight. These two photos have to be several years apart

leeanneb avatar
LeeAnne B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not photoshopped. She started her weight loss journey initially after being diagnosed with a thyroid issue. In fact, unreasonable and unrealistic beauty standards stopped her from getting the medical treatment she needed because she enjoyed losing the weight.

ritchat7 avatar
Ritchat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, while of course the picture on the left is photoshopped, Kelly Osbourne actually pretty much looks like this now. She lost a lot of weight and she admitted that she had injections in her forehead, lips, and jawline. Jawline looks like there had been some plastic surgery done though. Yes, she is almost unrecognizable, but it's not just because of photoshop. Her photos don't really belong here in my opinion.

mommyofanangel38 avatar
Annamarie Dodge
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the picture on the right is a very old pic, ive seen her actually look like the one on the left

stefaniepatterson avatar
BluEyedSeoulite
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can we just talk a out her hair! I'm sure it is a bit touched up but it looks AMAZING!! If only I had that much disposable income...

notoriousdbt avatar
Notorious DBT
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a recent photo of her where she looks a lot like the image on the left. https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/2940903/kelly-osbourne-unrecognisable-weight-loss/amp/

ii_3 avatar
I I
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

errr pretty sure she looks like the left now , lost a lot of weight

dddoucett avatar
Tres D
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She had the stomach stapling surgery a while back and looks great now!

bagladyele avatar
𝖊𝖆
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her hair is amazing though. Absolutely beautiful. It really suits her! 💜

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Iva Kazalova
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well those are not photos from the same time period i think, she got a gastric sleeve, lost weight, got surgery, she does look different from the picture on the right

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Kim Lorton
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To give her some credit, she did slim down enough where her face changed, but… after it was done it looked Almost impossible to account for such changes without the aid of a plastic surgeon, such as her great strong jawline, that seemed to have been fixed and shaved down. And it looks like on the left, in all her pictures now, so not photo shopped, but yes on the fix to her face!

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Jag Yu
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the sad thing, she actually looks very cute with her unaltered look

mim8209 avatar
MimSorensson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah, this one is bullshìt. I’m sure there’s photoshop involved, but there are years between these pictures. Her appearance really did change. Go for the actual fakers instead, come on, there are an abundance of those.

21npawley avatar
Talia Mclaren
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i think she looks way more beautiful on the second pic anyway!

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Ada Meier
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No shame to have. As others have commented, this is how she looks after weight loss and some lip injections. Sheesh, and we wonder why people modify themselves to fit unrealistic beauty standards...

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Kathryn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe if the media hadn’t been so degrading about her looks in the past, she wouldn’t feel the need to photoshop herself today. We need to stop blaming the individuals who are victims of this bs, and start blaming the system that made them this way. Yes, they’re now contributing to it, but let’s show some empathy.

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Mona
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's the same girl ? People really must hate themselves.

rhodabike6 avatar
Seabeast
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her real face is just fine. Why turn yourself into a plastic clone?

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Cenk Karaferya
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She had a house on my neighbourhood and I can guarantee that she doesn't look like the one on the left

patricia_rix_3 avatar
Patricia
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These women must really hate their looks, and that is a sad thing. Wear the face you've got, not the one you wish you had.

jarocats avatar
J.A. Rogers
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now, now, let's not jump to conclusions. Maybe she looks different when you turn her sideways.

cgray4 avatar
Courtney Gray
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The picture on the right looks nothing like her though. Makes me think someone edited it.

sarahbeth4617 avatar
Sarah watson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The picture on the right was taken about 20 years ago. A few decades makes a difference. She lost weight and had injections

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Poultry Geist
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To Thai ya long ! I always think about her making those comments! I’m sure she didn’t mean it the way it seemed but still! All these celebrities and the super rich are so out of touch!

kdreetz_1 avatar
Kimberly Brown
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The irony is she used to be on “Fashion Police” as a judgmental elitist on how people should look.

tararay13 avatar
Tara Raay
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She should do something useful and go clean some toilets.

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#34

Even The Poor Headless Mannequin Can't Live Up To Ig Standards

Even The Poor Headless Mannequin Can't Live Up To Ig Standards

_queefer_sutherland_ Report

#35

When The Very Thing You Rely On Betrays You Lol

When The Very Thing You Rely On Betrays You Lol

Fvcknloner Report

#37

The Face!!! And This Was A Sponsored Post

The Face!!! And This Was A Sponsored Post

thehappilydepressed Report

#39

And She Would Have Gotten Away With It Too, If It Weren’t For Those Meddling Straps!

And She Would Have Gotten Away With It Too, If It Weren’t For Those Meddling Straps!

reakkysadpwrson Report

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I like cats
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Srsly...You don't need to change your body to be truly appealing.

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#40

Subtle.... Her Poor Nose

Subtle.... Her Poor Nose

randomthemoron Report

Note: this post originally had 50 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.