Ludacris has released the music video for his new track ‘Vitamin D’ and there’s one topic on everyone’s lips: his abs.
On Twitter, numerous people have suggested the singer has “Photoshopped” or edited his torso using “CGI” for the video, in order to accentuate his physique.
Some likened his abs to bread rolls, while others accused him of impersonating a Sims character. But is Luda’s new look really a laughing matter?
Body image campaigners have said the video is yet another reminder that men in 2017 face pressures around their appearance, just like women do.
It’s unclear what the star’s intentions were when including the shirtless look in his video, although he did retweet a fan who said the computerised look of his abs is “intentional.”
At the end of the video, Ludacris is seen waking up in hospital, perhaps suggesting that his über-chiseled look is all part of a dream.
But Denise Hatton, chief executive of the national council of YMCAs, a founding partner of the Be Real Campaign on body image, says the ripped look is still problematic.
“The images shown within music videos will undoubtedly make some people anxious about the way they look. In this example, we are now seeing the pressure to look perfect even affecting music stars themselves,” she told The Huffington Post UK.
“It’s important that we see realistic bodies portrayed in media, music and advertising, which is why we launched the Be Real Body Image Pledge for these industries last year to encourage them to show healthy and realistic bodies.”
Although we often talk about body image concerns affecting women, Hatton added that it’s important to remember they do impact all genders.
“We know that body image anxiety affects everyone, all ages and both men and women,” she said.
“Our research showed that 40% of men feel pressure from television and magazines to have the ‘perfect’ body and celebrities using extensive airbrushing to make themselves look ‘better’ can create even more pressure.”
Danny Bowman, a mental health spokesperson for political think tank Parliament Street, has previously spoken to The Huffington Post UK about his experience of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) - an anxiety disorder that causes an individual to have a distorted view of their appearance and spend a lot of time worrying about how they look.
Commenting on Ludacris’ new video, he said: “I think the image exemplifies the type of image that is being peddled by the media onto men, putting pressure on them to look a certain way. As a man, this has the same effect on how I judge my own body image.”
He added that public understanding that body image issues don’t just affect women is improving, with “more men opening up about their own struggles”.
“The more men that do this, the less stigma will be attached to these issues,” he said.
But he’d like to see more people talking about male body image seriously, instead of making jokes about the male physique.
“When people laugh about body image issues, particularly in men, it increases the level of stigma and stops people from seeking support,” he said.
“It can also have an extremely negative affect on someone’s mental health.”
The Huffington Post UK has reached out to Ludacris’ team for comment and is awaiting a response.
Men And Women Who Inspire Positive Body Image
James Corden(01 of17)
Open Image ModalHe stripped off in an underwear advert spoof alongside David Beckham. The message: "Beauty is skin deep, it's underneath that counts."He also wrote an open letter which was published by Glamour magazine in which he asks people to accept themselves for who they are. "Respect your body. It is what it is, so embrace it," he wrote. "Love every scar, ripple, and imperfection, and you won’t need others to do it for you." (credit:FOX via Getty Images)
David Beckham(02 of17)
Open Image ModalDavey B stars alongside James Corden in the underwear spoof for D&J briefs to promote healthy body image and the idea that beauty is only skin deep. (credit:J. Countess via Getty Images)
Serena Willliams (03 of17)
Open Image ModalLupita Nyong'o(04 of17)
Open Image ModalMatt McGorry(05 of17)
Open Image ModalThe Orange Is The New Black star spoke openly about his body concerns during his first shirtless scene on OITNB. He told Yahoo: "I was obsessively dieting, and when I saw that scene before the show ever came out, I thought I had blown it. I was like, 'Oh no! I didn't get as lean as I could've'. But then the show came out, and no one said anything negative about it, and it's funny because from one perspective you could say, 'Oh, he's letting himself go,' but from another perspective, I just don't need that validation I once did."I still love working out, and I think it's good for my health, and I feel good doing it. But I think with mental health, allowing myself to be who I am naturally in terms of my body, I think that's sort of practicing more self-love that way." (credit:Jennifer Lourie via Getty Images)
Prince Fielder(06 of17)
Open Image ModalFielder is a baseball player for the Texas Rangers who was featured on the front page of ESPN magazine, naked. The photograph of him was attacked on social media. The baseball player has since spoken out and said that just because a person is plus-size, it doesn't mean they can't be athletic.In an interview with ESPN.com, he said: “A lot of people probably think I’m not athletic or don’t even try to work out or whatever, but I do. Just because you’re big doesn’t mean you can’t be an athlete. And just because you work out doesn’t mean you’re going to have a 12-pack. I work out to make sure I can do my job to the best of my ability. Other than that, I’m not going up there trying to be a fitness model.” (credit:Ronald Martinez via Getty Images)
Tess Holliday (07 of17)
Open Image ModalGok Wan(08 of17)
Open Image ModalThe presenter is an advocate for body confidence in both men and women. He has been incredibly open about his struggles with obesity growing up. He presented a show called Gok's Teens: The Naked Truth, which looked at body image in young people. He also launched a campaign to get body image classes taught in schools across the country. (credit:Dave M. Benett via Getty Images)
Chrissy Teigen(09 of17)
Open Image ModalBen Cohen(10 of17)
Open Image ModalKate Winslet (11 of17)
Open Image ModalRobert Pattinson(12 of17)
Open Image ModalThe Twilight actor has been open about his struggles with Body Dysmorphia (BDD), an obsessive anxiety disorder which is characterised by the individual's preoccupation with flaws in his or her appearance which are unnoticeable to others.In the process, he's helped raise awareness of the disorder among men. (credit:Jason Kempin via Getty Images)
Demi Lovato (13 of17)
Open Image ModalAshley Graham (14 of17)
Open Image ModalAmy Schumer(15 of17)
Open Image ModalJameela Jamil (16 of17)
Open Image ModalAlexa Chung (17 of17)
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