CURRENT EVENTS II

 Hollywood, the mecca of acting and cinematography, is a rather fascinating place to explore when it comes to body image. The lack of transparency and the rather toxic environment of high stakes billion dollar film making makes this an intriguing topic. What is more, Hollywood has faced its fair share of criticism in the past, ranging from closet pedophiles, rampant drug usage, and numerous sexual harassment scandals. However, steroid usage remains heavily overlooked and requires further investigation.

The actors of Hollywood are some of the most recognizable faces in the world, having cult followings, and being role models for many individuals of different age groups. This brings up the morality of steroid usage and the consequences that it can have. Most actors, if not all of them, categorically deny steroid use when undergoing a transformation for a movie role. To clarify, I am not stating that every actor or actress in the industry uses steroids, but there are instances and individuals who definitely do so in secret. 

Image 1: Kumail Nanjiani, who is heavily suspected to have used steroids to achieve his recent physique.

Source: https://barbend.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/kumail-nanjiani-steroids.jpg

In an article by the Hollywood Reporter (2013) by Tatiana Siegel, an opinion of a Hollywood trainer is provided. The article goes as follows: 

HGH quietly has become the substance of choice for Tinseltown denizens looking to quickly burn fat, boost energy and even improve complexion. The drug costs up to $3,000 a month. Taken along with steroids ($50 to $150 per month), to help build muscle, the results can be startling.

Hollywood trainer Happy Hill, who has helped sculpt Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Phillippe, estimates that some 20 percent of actors use PEDs to bulk up and define. 

"HGH is on the scene now more than ever before," says Hill, who frowns upon PED use and stresses that none of his clients partake. "It's hard not to use. Some people, especially the older ones, are looking for that perfect gym body, and they want a shortcut."

As Hollywood struggles to groom a new generation of box-office draws, the 40-plus male star remains at the top of studio wish lists and is expected to doff his shirt like he did a decade or two ago. In fact, the shirtless shot has become de rigueur for tentpole campaigns. The trouble is that six-pack abs are difficult to maintain after the age of 40, "unless you are extremely genetically gifted," notes Hill, who points to the well-showcased frame of one 40-something leading man in a recent studio film as not plausible without a cycle or two of steroids.

This is a major issue due to the stigmatization of steroid usage, and the undeniable impact it can have if the individual decides to admit to PED usage. What is more, many individuals idolize actors as their role models for an ideal body type, when in fact their physique cannot be attained without PED usage.

References:

Siegel, T. (2013, August 22). Hollywood and Steroids: When A-List Actors Go the A-Rod Route. Retrieved from hollywoodreporter.com: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hollywood-steroid-use-a-list-609091