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50 Instagrammers Whose Photos Are So Far From Reality, They Got Shamed For It Online (New Pics)
Welcome to the world of filters where looks are everything, and everything else is nothing. While there are many exceptions, social media is still notorious for breeding and celebrating vanity, from boosting your ego to making others (and yourself included) feel miserable.
But sometimes it’s too much even for Instagram. You see, some people airbrush and edit their pictures beyond the acceptable norm and the result is, well, reality-bending. The subreddit “Instagram Reality” is calling out those instances by sharing pictures of influencers taking editing a step, or rather a mile, too far.
Below we selected some of the most recent posts from the community, so pull your seat closer. And after you’re done, be sure to check out our previous features on Instagram vs reality here, here and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
RELATED:
#2
Why Would Someone Do This? The Original Is Stunning Already
#3
Not Even Judas Was As Treacherous As That Mirror….
In order to understand social media, and the influencers that go above and beyond to stand out, build their audience and establish their brand, we have to look at the other culture that paved the way to influencers as we know them today. And it’s celebrity culture. Both share the insatiable hunger for an idealized image, but also the need to deliver substance and make it interesting for the viewers.
So Bored Panda reached out to Claire Sisco King, the Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies at Vanderbilt University who happily shared some very interesting insights into the over-the-top world of celebrities and influencers.
#4
I Forgot What She Really Looked Like
#5
Found On A Dating App
#6
She’s The Best. These Are All Photos She Posted Herself Either On Her Story Or Ig Feed! She’s Beautiful, Confident And Silly
June’s Very Own 2 years ago
I fricken love Doja cat so much. She’s so gorgeous and witty and talented
“Celebrity culture has been a significant part of popular media in the United States since the early 20th century. Its origins can be traced in large part to the Hollywood star system,” King told us. “By the 1920s, film studios had developed a system for crafting star images—from the stars’ names to how they dressed to the types of film roles they played. Studios relied on their own promotional departments as well as fan magazines to create these images and make them familiar to audiences, promoting fan attachment to the stars,” she explained.
#7
Don’t Be Afraid To Age Folks
#8
The Power Of Filters - It Doesn’t Always Have To Be That Noticeable
#9
Flexxing On Some Totally Real Muscles
It turns out that for decades, “most of this publicity remained largely positive because it was heavily controlled by the film studios, offering highly calculated views of celebrities’ personalities and private lives.”
But all changed with the advent of tabloids by the mid-twentieth century, including radio shows and magazines, King said. That’s when the attention to gossip and the more salacious aspects of celebrities’ personal lives increased. “Often this coverage was out of celebrity control; but, at the same time, celebrity has become dependent on the gossip industry because it drives audience interest and fascination,” the professor said.
#10
Another One
#11
Shame On The News Outlet Who Photoshopped The Left Picture
#12
Found This One While Browsing A Dating App
Thanks to reality television and the internet, in the beginning of the early 2000s, expectations about access to celebrities dramatically increased. King explained: “Reality television fostered the idea that anyone could become famous by ‘playing themselves,’ and there was the corollary expectation that celebrities should engage with the genre to give audiences an idea of who they ‘really are.’”
#13
His Jawline Is Definitely 100% Real, No Editing
#14
Imagine Your Surprise When You See Her For The First Time Without All That Makeup, Filters And Editing
MMcD 2 years ago
I'm surprised no one else said that. It's the hair on the right side of her face (our left) that gives it away for me. I'd like to see what she looks like naturally. Probably not too far off from reality though. I'd also venture to guess the overedited one was done for shiggles.
Load More Replies...
Dana Ondráčková 2 years ago
I love her button nose And plump lips And round cute face on the second one
LaTysha Moore 2 years ago
Why does go lighter skinned? Y’all please stop doing this!!! Brown skin is so beautiful and unique. Why be like everyone else??
Paul Davis 2 years ago
It's ridiculous how people go so far out of their way to erase what makes them actually beautiful and interesting to look at to make themselves into plastic dolls who don't rate a second glance.
BookCrazyTeen 2 years ago
Oh but she’s actually so beautiful! Her eyes are very pretty, especially with her skin and hair. Definitely didn’t need editing.
Got Myself 4 Pandas 2 years ago
She is gorgeous naturally, what amazing eyes - the other photo really does her no favours
Mike Ipsen 2 years ago
Filters do a disservice to natural Human beauty. She looks better without the filters.
Louise Clarke 2 years ago
I wish she could see all these wonderful complements. She is really beautiful.
Jennifer Schulz 2 years ago
The photo on the left looks like one of those Bratz dolls from the early 2000s. The right photo is lovely.
Jenny Cook 2 years ago
But in real life her eyes are gorgeous. And she has wonderful lips and a much better nose
Lynda Mendez 2 years ago
She's beautiful with and without makeup, gorgeous eyes. All of these compliments but no one knows who she is? Does anyone know.. Just curious
Katty Marie 2 years ago
I would be amazed at how gorgeous she actually is! Is this a reverse catfish? She is gorgeous naturally, but edits it to where she looks like she had botched plastic surgery.
James Pasquini 2 years ago
In the right photo she looks like a warm caring person. In the left... shallow and fake.
Leslie Burleson 2 years ago
Her real face is much more beautiful , although I can see some alterations in the more realistic photo too
Missy Moo Moo 2 years ago
When you see her for the first time?!?! Why?? Is this a bit of racial profiling?
Fatma Feustel 2 years ago
Yes it would be a very NICE surprize because she is so beautiful without all that sh.t..
Joe Brody 2 years ago
Nice or not nice, it's gonna be a surprise. And nice or not nice, the
Load More Replies... 
Ivana Bašić 2 years ago
Tbh, if you see the first photo and think it's real, you deserve what you get.
Rebekah Krause 2 years ago
There is no way anyone would believe an actual human looks like the image on the left though, right? Right???!?
Brandi VanSteenwyk 2 years ago
OMG!! I'd pass right over the 1st pic. But... Her eyes, those beautiful eyes, are the primary focus on the 2nd photo... Mesmerizing.
Rainy Day Wolf 2 years ago
wow to be this stunning and feeling like you need editing is such a failure of society
Purple tiger 2 years ago
Some false lashes, lippy and some highlighter and she would be sublime on top of her already gorgeous face. That filter makes her look like a cartoon Disney Princess.
Kelzbelz79 2 years ago
My old neighbour used to highly edit pics and use loads of filters, she couldn't understand why she never heard from blokes again after meeting for the first time, maybe cos you look nothing like your pictures...totally nothing like them, talk about false advertising. I just can't get my head around it I don't see the point, people who know you know you look nothing like the pics you post so seriously what is the point?
#15
She Claims To Not Edit Her Photos
Meanwhile, “the development of digital media and the internet meant that there were endless opportunities for audiences to seek information about celebrities, which meant that media companies also felt obligations to generate more and more content about them.” King argues that the era saw the proliferation of websites and blogs devoted to celebrity fandom and/or gossip.
#16
At First The Terrifying Bird Feet Got Me But The Longer You Stare...the Worse It Gets
#17
Her Poor Friend
#18
How Is This Even Legal?
LeighAnne Brown-Pedersen 2 years ago
Applies to all of them, but… is this what they want us to see or what they want to see?
The development of social media really amplified all of these expectations about access to and intimacy with celebrities. “Platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat give audiences the sense that they can see into celebrities’ private lives and get 'behind the scenes' access to them. Even though the glimpses audiences see are highly curated and carefully crafted, they suggest that fans can get an 'authentic' idea of who celebrities are,” King explained.
#19
Same Day. Insta vs. Pap Picture
dee dee 2 years ago (edited)
In all seriousness, do people really think those lips are pretty? Or desirable? I find them disgusting and I really, really wouldn't want to kiss her or anyone with lips like that, even if they were the god of orgasmic kissing or whatever. Or the last person on earth. EDIT: i was referring to filler lips, not natural lips. Natural lips are sexy. Filler lips, when you can clearly see that they do not belong on a face, are not. Sorry if anyone felt offended, I was referring strictly to the lips in the picture, filler lips.
#20
At Least She's Self Aware...?
#21
When You Have A Friend Who Edits The Whole Group
#22
Is It Just Me Or Does His Head Look Way Too Small?
#23
She Got Called Out For Using Heavy Filters And Her Response Was Interesting
Tigerpacingthecage 2 years ago
I agree with her. And it's a trend going on showing how you look with filters vs without.
#24
She Adamantly Denies Filtering Her Pics On Every Post
#25
She Uses The Teen Filter So Much, She Has Convinced Herself That She Looks Like This
#26
Found This One! — He Claims To Be 31 Years Old, Flashes Fake Watches And Cars He Doesn’t Own
#27
Posted As Part Of A Massive Clothing Campaign…how Could Such A Big Label Not Have Enough Money For Decent Editing? She Has Slender Man Fingers!
#28
She Is 81 Guys ... I Don't Know What To Say
#29
Found In The Wild - When You Forget To Edit Your Husband
#30
Rip Her Poor Hips..must Have Fallen Off In Her Tagged Photo
Llama_flower93 2 years ago
This is just so absurd to me, having grown up in a society in which those hips would have been shamed for being fat. Maybe 15 years ago. Now people are purposely trying to look that way. It's all so silly when the trend goes away and another begins. About our bodies! Just accept the body your in, skinny, thick, whatever. Your own body will go in and out of style throughout your lifetime. Stop trying to make it fit a trend.
#31
I Mean
BigOrangeTractor 2 years ago
Why do people keep having plastic surgery when it just seems to make you look SO. MUCH. WORSE. ?
#32
Instagram vs. Public Video
#33
A Local Club Owner.
#34
Feed vs. Press Photo
#35
Spent Too Much Time On The Faces, Forgot About The Rest
#36
Claims She Doesn’t Want Women To Feel Bad About Their Postpartum Bodies If They Haven’t ‘Bounced Back’ Like Her
#37
Both Are Instagram Posts
#38
A Woman From The Danish Equivalent To Teen Mom, She's Not A Teen Anymore
#39
She’s Already Petite But They Shrank Her Even More While Forgetting Her Forearms
pink_panda 2 years ago
Is that her face palming the editing on her own body? They made her look like a child!
#40
When You Can't Control The Photoshop
#41
This Gal Is Acting As If We Don’t Know What She Actually Looks Like
Donna Mucha 2 years ago
I think the lesson to be learned from this trend is that these people, for whatever reason, feel like they are not ok as they are, and that is very sad and disturbing, as much as it is scary. It, in my opinion at least, is as destructive as an eating disorder. We are all who we are, and we are all important and beautiful and worthy just by being ourselves.
#42
Posts vs. Tagged
#43
Maternity Photoshoot vs. Youtube Video 4 Weeks Later
#44
They’re Not Even Trying To Hide It Anymore. She Blurred Her Unedited Reflection
#45
What She Posts On Ig vs. What The Paparazzi Took
#46
How To Recognize Body Filters In Videos
#47
Completely Unrecognizable!
Tigerpacingthecage 2 years ago
I don't think left pic is supposed to be her? If it is it's bad editing. Anyway she looks fine to the right.
#48
Her Caption Says: ‘I Actually Don’t Have Foundation On, Only Concealer And Everything Else’ But Am I Wrong If I Only See A Heavily Filtered Pic?
#49
Instagram vs. Tagged Photos
Add New Image
What do you think ?
whodunnitfan2013 2 years ago (edited)
The unedited ones are actually better than the edited ones. I prefer natural beauty. I don't like makeup, so I don't wear it. I've been told I need to wear makeup, because I'm ugly and not a real woman without it. However, I notice these people are pretty much all misogynistic men who believe that women should always strive to please men, including looking aesthetically pleasing to them. These people also condemn me for not liking to shave and having body hair, think I should obsess over my weight and appearance, and say my acne makes me ugly, and that I should be obsessed with getting rid of it.
Bobbie Meyers 2 years ago
I am ugly, so f*****g what. Can't wear makeup, even hypoallergenic burns after awhile. Can't wear jewelry, even real gold. So ya' get what ya' get. Tell people who don't like you as is..right back at you, a*****e.
Load More Replies...
Droopsnoot 2 years ago
Based on the true images, tge problem isn't their skin or so, jt's that theur smiles are so unnatural. That seems to point at deeper problems, if many of tgem didn't look so pained they would look much prettier
Stephanie 2 years ago
Whenever I see these, it just makes me sad. Why can't people just love their natural selves? I know its difficult, I struggled for year with my own body image. I've since learned to love myself exactly as I am today. Also, I understand wanting to put the best version of yourself out there, but when the best version of yourself isn't anywhere near your authentic self, it defeats the purpose.
Gavin Johnson 2 years ago
I know there’s a pressure to ‘look your best’ and that encourages people to photoshop or otherwise edit images but I find myself hoping that they find the inner peace and confidence to be themselves and comfortable in their own skin. You are you, that makes you unique and amazing, yes dye your hair, pluck your eyebrows, use makeup whatever floats your boat but be true to yourself and stay beautiful, don’t allow society or your peers force you to digitally enhance you, it ends up losing your energy and your unique look that’s attached to who you are. I love people, they all have a story to tell, they all have a place to be and a claim for beauty, I want you to share that not some pixelated version of you. You are amazing and valuable, hold onto that ❤️❤️
StormyWaffle 2 years ago
…In what world exactly are peoples faces as smooth as these pictures are making them out to be…? they literally look like glass…
Celtic Pirate Queen 2 years ago
I quit wearing makeup years ago, maybe a little eyebrow filler and powder once in a while. One nice thing about getting older is that you (normally) stop giving a sh*t about other people's opinions of your looks.
N 2 years ago
Feels like these people don’t hear enough about how beautiful they are in real life. Sad to mention, but people make them fake themselves by criticizing their looks, and people are criticizing them for faking their looks. Feels like a vicious cycle(( Both does no good but damages already unhealthy psychological state of an individual. Heh, I guess the only remedy is to be kind to others and compliment them on their features, and I mean not Kim Kardashian, but the very people around us right now)
An Unpopular Opinion. 2 years ago
Depressing. A huge part of the problem where no one (including me, I'll admit) has any self esteem.
Deborah Rubin 1 year ago
I have self esteem. Comes from knowing what battles I've fought, what I still fight, but I'm going strong in a way some people, back in the day, ever thought I good. People, please, think about what's good in you. Not what other people think. And if you can't find something in yourself that you find good, get some help. And not from the plastic surgeon.
Load More Replies...
Anna Te 2 years ago
Every time I see these kind of posts I have to think about Henry VIII and his 4th wife, Anna of Cleve. Her portrait was painted by the famous painter Holbein, and apparently he painted her from the best possible angle, because Henry chose her after seeing this portrait. Later, when he met her face to face, he was said to be very disappointed and Master Holbein was said to suffer repercussions because of his "deceiving" the king. Anyway, these were my thoughts;)
Martha Meyer 2 years ago (edited)
He might have painted her to look better than in person, but I think anyone would find a portrait different from the actual person, if they had never met that person. Holbein didn't suffer repercussions actually. He was in favour until his death.
Load More Replies...
Susie Elle 2 years ago
I hope there comes a day where people are allowed to just look like people and be people-shaped. My god.
Anya Beboop 2 years ago
As a person battling BDD, I know various people that edit their photos and I've gotten pretty good at spotting them. I could go on and on about how it effects my day to day life. It's crazy how the brain can literally warp pictures in your eye and makes you unable to see your true self. It's hard to find proper peace from it, but I hope everyone does one day. Beauty/fitness culture does not help, but you gotta do the work in therapy and make peace with yourself. I haven't found it yet, but I think I'm getting there?
Deborah Rubin 1 year ago
Good on you. Keep working. Sometimes it takes baby steps, but they add up.
Load More Replies... 
Tami 2 years ago
A coworker got one, and man, she did look like a movie star. Very classy looking actually, not trashy and cliche like some of the overdone stuff you see now days where everyone tries to get the same Barbie doll look. I just looked, and Glamor Shots is still around.
Load More Replies... Bobbie Meyers 2 years ago
Why do people have to be so vain? Just be who you are, no one cares.
Martha Meyer 2 years ago
Most of these go beyond vanity and are firmly in mental illness territory.
Load More Replies... Martha Meyer 2 years ago
The people who stalk these people to “expose“ them are no less in need of therapy than them.
Cold Contagious 2 years ago
You're absolutely right. It's really sad on both ends of this spectrum here..
Load More Replies...
BoredPip 2 years ago
To be fair, around 30% look like it could just have been makeup, good lighting, and a pose
Matthew Smith 2 years ago
Agreed, lighting makes a big difference as does make up and pose.
Load More Replies...
John Baker 2 years ago
I have yet to post a single pic to my Instagram account. If and when I ever do, it won't be a pic of me, Photoshopped or otherwise.
Deborah Rubin 1 year ago
Society - whatever that is - creates unrealistic expectations and women often fall into that trap. I've never worn makeup. Still have good skin. If people don't like the way I look, that's their problem, not mine. I don't want to look plastic. I want to look like me. More people need to look to themselves to find out what's lacking. There's nothing wrong with looking your age, whatever that means. I like to see some character in someone's face. It tells me something about them. Ugley is the eye of the beholder. So is beauty.
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 2 years ago
Unedited ones are almost always better, also I think a lot of these (especially the top ones) are satire.
Sharon Madsen 2 years ago
I wish no one would talk about/post/follow/ or give any of these people a minute of fame. Maybe then they'd STOP!!!
Molly Spurgeon 2 years ago
Why wouldn't you just crop OUT the mirror in the picture if they're clearly aware of it in the image to go to the point of blurring the face?? That is...that is just such an odd choice. Hmm...
BookCrazyTeen 2 years ago
The thing is that how do these people even think that these look believable. Like I’m not saying that you should edit your photos but if you’re going to then why can’t you try to at least make it believable?
whodunnitfan2013 2 years ago (edited)
The unedited ones are actually better than the edited ones. I prefer natural beauty. I don't like makeup, so I don't wear it. I've been told I need to wear makeup, because I'm ugly and not a real woman without it. However, I notice these people are pretty much all misogynistic men who believe that women should always strive to please men, including looking aesthetically pleasing to them. These people also condemn me for not liking to shave and having body hair, think I should obsess over my weight and appearance, and say my acne makes me ugly, and that I should be obsessed with getting rid of it.
Bobbie Meyers 2 years ago
I am ugly, so f*****g what. Can't wear makeup, even hypoallergenic burns after awhile. Can't wear jewelry, even real gold. So ya' get what ya' get. Tell people who don't like you as is..right back at you, a*****e.
Load More Replies... Droopsnoot 2 years ago
Based on the true images, tge problem isn't their skin or so, jt's that theur smiles are so unnatural. That seems to point at deeper problems, if many of tgem didn't look so pained they would look much prettier
Stephanie 2 years ago
Whenever I see these, it just makes me sad. Why can't people just love their natural selves? I know its difficult, I struggled for year with my own body image. I've since learned to love myself exactly as I am today. Also, I understand wanting to put the best version of yourself out there, but when the best version of yourself isn't anywhere near your authentic self, it defeats the purpose.
Gavin Johnson 2 years ago
I know there’s a pressure to ‘look your best’ and that encourages people to photoshop or otherwise edit images but I find myself hoping that they find the inner peace and confidence to be themselves and comfortable in their own skin. You are you, that makes you unique and amazing, yes dye your hair, pluck your eyebrows, use makeup whatever floats your boat but be true to yourself and stay beautiful, don’t allow society or your peers force you to digitally enhance you, it ends up losing your energy and your unique look that’s attached to who you are. I love people, they all have a story to tell, they all have a place to be and a claim for beauty, I want you to share that not some pixelated version of you. You are amazing and valuable, hold onto that ❤️❤️
StormyWaffle 2 years ago
…In what world exactly are peoples faces as smooth as these pictures are making them out to be…? they literally look like glass…
Celtic Pirate Queen 2 years ago
I quit wearing makeup years ago, maybe a little eyebrow filler and powder once in a while. One nice thing about getting older is that you (normally) stop giving a sh*t about other people's opinions of your looks.
N 2 years ago
Feels like these people don’t hear enough about how beautiful they are in real life. Sad to mention, but people make them fake themselves by criticizing their looks, and people are criticizing them for faking their looks. Feels like a vicious cycle(( Both does no good but damages already unhealthy psychological state of an individual. Heh, I guess the only remedy is to be kind to others and compliment them on their features, and I mean not Kim Kardashian, but the very people around us right now)
An Unpopular Opinion. 2 years ago
Depressing. A huge part of the problem where no one (including me, I'll admit) has any self esteem.
Deborah Rubin 1 year ago
I have self esteem. Comes from knowing what battles I've fought, what I still fight, but I'm going strong in a way some people, back in the day, ever thought I good. People, please, think about what's good in you. Not what other people think. And if you can't find something in yourself that you find good, get some help. And not from the plastic surgeon.
Load More Replies... Anna Te 2 years ago
Every time I see these kind of posts I have to think about Henry VIII and his 4th wife, Anna of Cleve. Her portrait was painted by the famous painter Holbein, and apparently he painted her from the best possible angle, because Henry chose her after seeing this portrait. Later, when he met her face to face, he was said to be very disappointed and Master Holbein was said to suffer repercussions because of his "deceiving" the king. Anyway, these were my thoughts;)
Martha Meyer 2 years ago (edited)
He might have painted her to look better than in person, but I think anyone would find a portrait different from the actual person, if they had never met that person. Holbein didn't suffer repercussions actually. He was in favour until his death.
Load More Replies... Susie Elle 2 years ago
I hope there comes a day where people are allowed to just look like people and be people-shaped. My god.
Anya Beboop 2 years ago
As a person battling BDD, I know various people that edit their photos and I've gotten pretty good at spotting them. I could go on and on about how it effects my day to day life. It's crazy how the brain can literally warp pictures in your eye and makes you unable to see your true self. It's hard to find proper peace from it, but I hope everyone does one day. Beauty/fitness culture does not help, but you gotta do the work in therapy and make peace with yourself. I haven't found it yet, but I think I'm getting there?
Deborah Rubin 1 year ago
Good on you. Keep working. Sometimes it takes baby steps, but they add up.
Load More Replies... Tami 2 years ago
A coworker got one, and man, she did look like a movie star. Very classy looking actually, not trashy and cliche like some of the overdone stuff you see now days where everyone tries to get the same Barbie doll look. I just looked, and Glamor Shots is still around.
Load More Replies... Bobbie Meyers 2 years ago
Why do people have to be so vain? Just be who you are, no one cares.
Martha Meyer 2 years ago
Most of these go beyond vanity and are firmly in mental illness territory.
Load More Replies... Martha Meyer 2 years ago
The people who stalk these people to “expose“ them are no less in need of therapy than them.
Cold Contagious 2 years ago
You're absolutely right. It's really sad on both ends of this spectrum here..
Load More Replies... BoredPip 2 years ago
To be fair, around 30% look like it could just have been makeup, good lighting, and a pose
Matthew Smith 2 years ago
Agreed, lighting makes a big difference as does make up and pose.
Load More Replies... John Baker 2 years ago
I have yet to post a single pic to my Instagram account. If and when I ever do, it won't be a pic of me, Photoshopped or otherwise.
Deborah Rubin 1 year ago
Society - whatever that is - creates unrealistic expectations and women often fall into that trap. I've never worn makeup. Still have good skin. If people don't like the way I look, that's their problem, not mine. I don't want to look plastic. I want to look like me. More people need to look to themselves to find out what's lacking. There's nothing wrong with looking your age, whatever that means. I like to see some character in someone's face. It tells me something about them. Ugley is the eye of the beholder. So is beauty.
and_a_touch_of_the_’tism 2 years ago
Unedited ones are almost always better, also I think a lot of these (especially the top ones) are satire.
Sharon Madsen 2 years ago
I wish no one would talk about/post/follow/ or give any of these people a minute of fame. Maybe then they'd STOP!!!
Molly Spurgeon 2 years ago
Why wouldn't you just crop OUT the mirror in the picture if they're clearly aware of it in the image to go to the point of blurring the face?? That is...that is just such an odd choice. Hmm...
BookCrazyTeen 2 years ago
The thing is that how do these people even think that these look believable. Like I’m not saying that you should edit your photos but if you’re going to then why can’t you try to at least make it believable?
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