"The Bachelor" Beauty Queens: Plastic or Pass?

Gettyimages | Presley Ann

Everyone knows that the majority of the contestants that go on "The Bachelor" or "The Bachelorette" are aspiring to be actors, models or most commonly, Instagram influencers. If you watch the show it is easy to be blinded by the shining white teeth and perfectly silky hair that makes its appearance around every corner. However, in addition to the many picture-perfect, girl-next-door types that appear on every season, it seems that the show has also seen an influx of "Beauty Queens" over the years.

In addition to having our latest "Bachelorette", Hannah Brown, be a former title-holder, ladies such as Caelynn Miller-Keyes and current Bachelor contestant, Victoria Paul, have also made appearances and even come to be fan-favorites. However, while it is obvious to assume that being on television would make anyone tempted to look their best, no matter what the cost, it is slightly ironic that many of these "Beauty Queens" (all under the age of 30) appear to have had fillers and botox injections, and in some cases, full blown surgeries.

While the beauty of these ladies is undeniable, it seems strange not to question the message of "beauty standards" being sent to young women across the country. Though it is important for a woman to feel comfortable in her own skin, most of these girls seem to have started altering their natural features around the same time that they became involved in pageants. Photos from Victoria Paul's Instagram show that the former "Miss Louisiana" appears to have had a nose job, along with various fillers and treatments.

While a Beauty Pageant is similar to any competition in the sense that the goal is to win, it is unfortunate that an already beautiful girl felt the need to undergo procedures for the work in which she has decided to pursue. It is also unfortunate that many of these women seek a platform in order to be an idol for young women, when what they idolize themselves is clearly questionable. From lip injections, to boob jobs, to cheek fillers, beauty standards are increasingly becoming available only to the wealthy and willing.

Gettyimages | Jamie McCarthy

As plastic surgery continues to rise amongst young women, it is no wonder that everyday women are becoming fed-up with the unrealistic (or just un-real) expectations. Just last year, Bella Hadid received major backlash after being announced "Worlds Most Beautiful Woman" due to the fact that she herself has gone under the knife more than once. While beauty is supposed to be in the eye of the beholder, and not the "knife holder", it is a difficult sentiment to believe when watching women all across public platforms giving in. As Pilot Pete continues his search for a "real and honest" girl, let's hope he focuses on their insides rather than their outsides.