Why Victoria’s Secret is Shameful

I’ve really come to enjoy the singer-songwriter, Jax, who released Victoria’s Secret last year. I immediately loved it.

Like songs of all eras, the music of our day is filled with rhythms of love and romance. Others are fun and meaningless. But every now and then, a song comes along that is both fresh in its candor and constructive in its message. Victoria’s Secret is one of those gems.

Shame and Body Image

Jax shines a light on one of the most shame-inducing aspects of modern-day America. Marketing agencies and companies like Victoria’s Secret are making millions by manipulating people’s perceptions of “normal.”

From internet filters to photo editing, women and young girls are constantly made to feel they will always fall short. Forbes published an insightful article on the subject:

“These face filters are using algorithms to reinforce a certain standard of beauty that is very narrow,” says Dr. Egger. That standard? ‘Instagram Face’: characterized by high cheekbones, poreless skin, cat-like eyes and plump lips. The conflation of diversity into a single look worries Dr. Egger, “it doesn’t support individuality, it supports conformity with what’s the standard of beauty,” the psychiatrist says.

No wonder shame is a chronic problem plaguing younger people!

Jax puts these concerns front and center in her song, letting everyone know what Victoria’s “secret” really is. I’ve linked the video and the lyrics below.

Victoria’s Secret (Lyrics)

God, I wish somebody would’ve told me
When I was younger that all bodies aren’t the same
Photoshop itty bitty models on magazine covers
Told me I was overweight

I stopped eating, what a bummer
Can’t have carbs in a hot girl summer

If I could go back and tell myself
When I was younger, I’d say, “Psst

I know Victoria’s secret
And, girl, you wouldn’t believe
She’s an old man who lives in Ohio
Making money off of girls like me”

Cashin’ in on body issues
Sellin’ skin and bones with big bo0bs
I know Victoria’s secret
She was made up by a dude (dude)

Victoria was made up by a dude (dude)
Victoria was made up by a dude

I wish somebody would’ve told me that thighs of thunder
Meant normal human thighs
The fvckin’ pressure I was under
To lose my appetite
And fight the cellulite with Hunger Games like every night
If I could go back and tell myself
When I was younger, I’d say
“Hey, dummy

I know Victoria’s secret
Girl, you wouldn’t believe
She’s an old man who lives in Ohio
Making money off of girls like me”
Cashin’ in on body issues
Sellin’ skin and bones with big bo0bs
I know Victoria’s secret
She was made up by a dude (dude)
Victoria was made up by a dude (dude)
Victoria was made up by a dude

I know Victoria’s secret
And, girl, you wouldn’t believe
She’s an old man who lives in Ohio
Making money off of girls like me
Cashin’ in on body issues
Sellin’ skin and bones with big bo0bs
I know Victoria’s secret
She was made up by a dude

I know Victoria’s secret
And, girl, you wouldn’t believe
She’s an old man who lives in Ohio
Making money off of girls like me
Cashin’ in on body issues
Sellin’ skin and bones with big bo0bs

I know Victoria’s secret
She was never made for me and you

Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating

When images are constantly presented as reality, it’s natural that viewers would think that such “perfection” were attainable. In reality, not even the models look like their pictures.

Companies are using shame to cash in. They make both girls and boys, women and men, think that they are not enough and that people will not reckon them worthy of love if they are insufficiently attractive.

The link between shame and body image has long been documented. Shame frequently manifests through eating disorders and disordered eating. As one scholar summarizes, “Shame is implicated in the development, maintenance, and relapse of eating disorders.”

(NOTE: There is a difference between eating disorders and disordered eating. I only learned about the latter in the past few months. Come to find out, I’ve struggled with disordered eating and never knew it!)

When caregivers shame kids early in life, they are more likely to struggle with body image and struggle with inflexible eating.

Spring and Summer are Coming

Why do I bring up these topics? I want people to be more aware of the pernicious power of psychological shame to destroy people. This post brings these issues to mind afresh because spring and summer are drawing close. People are already thinking about cutting pounds so they can fit into swimsuits and other outfits.

Let people know about this song. Expose the manipulation that cultivates shame in the soul of our society.

If you want to hear a happier and more fun song from Jax, then you have to check out “Like My Father.” I pray that my daughters would want to play this song at my funeral!