Matthew's Reading Room

The Author

Model, actress, and entrepreneur Emily Ratajkowski shot to stardom after appearing in the video for Blurred Lines, a song by Robin Thicke. Even if she became a symbol of alluring beauty and sensuality worldwide, Ratajkowski has never been only a “pretty face.” She has launched a fashion line in addition to her performing and writing careers. Emily’s first book, My Body, delves deeply into self-esteem, body image, and stardom, taking readers beyond her public persona.

Being objectified and praised for one’s beauty are themes that Ratajkowski explores in her writing. This is her sincere and unfiltered effort to make sense of the conflicting feelings of empowerment and exploitation that arise from accepting and appreciating her physical appearance.

Summary of My Body

Emily Ratajkowski delves into her complex relationship with her body and attractiveness in her collection of essays titled My Body. It contemplates how women’s identities are shaped by the cultural demands on them, particularly those pertaining to their physical attractiveness.

From an early age, and especially following her breakthrough performance in Blurred Lines, Ratajkowski explores how the public has objectified her. She talks about how her workplace failed to recognise her as a whole human being with goals, ideas, and emotions and instead treated her like a commodity. In each chapter, we get a glimpse inside her life as she struggles with the paradox of her body: how it both empowers and confines her.

The book delves into topics like agency, mastery, and physical autonomy, addressing the author’s conflicting feelings of empowerment and exploitation regarding her physical appearance. It talks about times in her life and work when she felt taken advantage of and when she took over and used her image to help herself.

In addition to being the autobiography of a well-known model, My Body critiques the way contemporary society views and treats women’s bodies.

My Thoughts on My Body

The physical beauty of Emily Ratajkowski is undeniable. Following her appearance in the Blurred Lines music video, she drew the most attention to herself, as it did to millions of people. In a business that thrives on capitalising on ideals of sensuality and beauty, she became a symbol. Her career has revolved around her physique, so watching her contemplate the effects of being known for her appearance on her identity is intriguing.

Her realisation that physical attractiveness isn’t a guarantee of self-confidence is the part of the book that really stuck with me. The world’s perception of even the most physically attractive person can have a negative impact on their mental health. The reality of being “the hot girl” is vividly depicted by Emily. Being that person comes with its price, and I admire her honesty about her struggles, particularly considering how much of her success came from that one contentious music video. She is brutally honest about how she has been both adored and objectified.

She is also very forthright about how she has been used for commercial gain. It’s natural to believe, “She’s got it all,” when you encounter an attractive person like Emily. The central theme of the book, however, is that her attractiveness has both brought her opportunities and left her subject to abuse. Her challenge is finding a balance between empowering herself physically and being aware of when other people are getting more out of it than she is. She treads a narrow line, and My Body objectively shows how difficult it is to do the same.

Emily isn’t afraid to bring out the power dynamics in the entertainment and modeling industries. She talks about how men have controlled her image in the past and how she has fought to take it back. The lesson here is that beauty is both a force and a trap, and one must be careful not to fall into either.

The fact that she is actively shaping her story is the part I admire most. She has evolved into more than simply the girl from Blurred Lines. She reasserts herself in this book, not only as an attractive woman but also as someone who gives serious consideration to and is conscious of her place in the world.

Some Thoughts I’d Like to Bring to My Clients and Colleagues’ Attention

• This book provides a nuanced perspective on beauty, so you may understand that it is multifaceted. It’s about more than simply being confident in your looks; it’s also about being aware of the demands placed on you by society. This can help clients who have problems with their self-image.
• The significance of setting limits, particularly regarding the way other people see and utilise your body, is shown by Emily’s story. Those working in therapy or coaching, especially those whose jobs put them in close contact with the public, would do well to remember this lesson.
• This book makes us question when we are genuinely able to shape our public personas and when we are the objects of someone else’s exploitation. Clients can benefit greatly from this differentiation as they navigate their relationships and professional lives.
• Take back your story: It doesn’t matter how famous you are; people will always judge you by your looks and other characteristics. This book serves as a powerful reminder that no matter what labels people give us, we can all write our own tales.
• The anecdotes told by Ratajkowski show how objectification, even when it seems to have positive consequences like fame or wealth, can really take a toll on one’s emotions. It should be a gentle reminder to all of us to stop being so hard on ourselves and recognise the broader impacts of being continuously evaluated based on our appearance.

My Body asks colleagues in the therapy or coaching fields to consider how societal standards impact their clients’ sense of self-worth and how they could attempt to challenge these norms in their work with clients.

In Summary
A famous model’s memoir, My Body by Emily Ratajkowski, is merely the tip of the iceberg. In a culture that views women as objects, it delves deeply into the nuances of power, dominance, and beauty. If you or someone you know is struggling with body image, identity, or empowerment, you may find Ratajkowski’s candid, unedited look into her image-building difficulties helpful.