Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 14

DIGITAL THEORY, CULTURE & SOCIETY

https://journal.c-dics.com

Volume 1, Issue 1, July 2023 Page 39–52

The representation of female beauty in the Instagram pageant


lovers
Achmad Syarifudin1*, Kuntum Chairum Ummah2
1, 2
Universitas Trunojoyo Madura, Indonesia

*
Corresponding author
Email address: achmad.syarifudin@trunojoyo.ac.id
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61126/dtcs.v1i1.8

Article In f o Ab str act


Keywords: The representation of female beauty in the beauty queen event is only
representation associated with brain, beauty and behavior. Women are not only considered
beautiful from the outside, but also need inner beauty through the beauty
women beauty
queen event. Pageant lovers as loyal supporters of the beauty queen event
beauty pageant
also represent female beauty through Instagram accounts, in addition to
pageant lovers raising support and updating information about beauty pageants. This
Instagram study aims to describe women's beauty represented by Instagram pageant
lovers on social media. The research method uses the semiotic approach
of Roland Barthes on Instagram accounts of pageant lovers, including @
portalpageant.id, @pageantcrownwarriors, and @indopageant. The time
span of the analyzed uploads was January to February 2023. The results
showed that the representation of female beauty on the accounts of
pageant enthusiasts contains a number of issues, namely that the standard
of female beauty is relative with the caption Black Beauty. The issue of
commercialization of women through the beauty pageant event can be seen
from the disappointment of pageant lovers with the transfer of the license
of the Puteri Indonesia Foundation (YPI) and the Miss Universe Philippines
fundraiser.

Citation suggestion:
Syarifudin, A., & Ummah, K. C. (2023). The representation of female beauty in the Instagram pageant lovers.
Digital Theory, Culture & Society, 1(1), 39–52. https://doi.org/10.61126/dtcs.v1i1.8

Received 29 May 2023; Received in revised form 9 July 2023; Accepted 22 July 2023; Published online 25 July 2023.
Achmad Syarifudin, Kuntum Chairum Ummah

Introduction and concepts of beauty that are reproduced


through social media, including Instagram.
The concept of female beauty has changed Often, women are always shown with
from time to time. In the past, physical many followers because of their beauty and
beauty was always in the foreground, where sexy body shape, regardless of the content
women tried to achieve an ideal body and uploaded. However, the standard of beauty
facial treatments were not cheap. Facial is seen as a relativity in which the standard
beauty and ideal body shape are a dream for of beauty between one woman and another
women. Not only to be the center of attention, will be different. This is in line with Harper
especially for the opposite sex, but also to and Choma's (2018) opinion that beauty
get recognition and a sense of satisfaction standards are rooted in cultural norms that
when praised by others. Not surprisingly, have been created by society and media
there are some women who feel "insecure" over centuries, where predominantly white
because their bodies are different from women in movies and advertisements lead
society's standards of beauty. In fact, quite to Eurocentric notions of beauty that give
a few women are willing to spend money inferiority to women of color. At the same
to improve their appearance, including time, however, Instagram also displays
achieving an ideal body. universal standards of beauty, such as slim
Instagram is one of the social media bodies, long legs, long hair, and clear skin.
with the fourth most popular among people The phenomenon of the beauty queen
around the world, including Indonesia. event, which is also displayed on social
Referring to the We Are Social report as of media, also contributes to the image of
January 2020, it shows as many as 89.15 female beauty. Beautiful women are
million users, of which Indonesia is the displayed with three general criteria such as
fourth country with the highest number brain, beauty and behavior. As Kanzulfikar
of Instagram users in the world. Thus, (2019) said that there are new concepts and
Instagram certainly has a massive impact themes in the 2019 "Miss Universe", carrying
on its users. Users can share moments in the theme of 3B, which means brain, beauty
the form of photos and videos, including and behavior in the concept of brain, Miss
reels, which are now increasingly preferred. Universe finalists have a different focus,
Instagram also determines the beauty current general knowledge can educate
standards that exist in society, considering people about customs and culture. Thus, each
how women are portrayed through social beauty queen event carries its own vision
media, namely Instagram. and mission, ranging from representing the
According to Ayustin (2019), the concept diversity of female beauty from different
of millennial women's beauty is also not only parts of the world, to bringing peace issues
based on what looks beautiful on the outside, by reducing violence and war, to bringing
but inner beauty also supports the concept the issue of world climate change.
of beautiful millennial women. Therefore, Women are not only required to be
the representation of women through social beautiful, but also required to have adequate
media has a significant impact on the concept knowledge. Contestants are required to
of women's beauty in general. Given the have a good attitude, tough and beneficial
changing standards of beauty, social media to the surrounding environment including
has a significant impact on how women are interest in social, cultural and environmental
portrayed. Conversely, women can also feel issues depending on the vision and mission
insecure about normative concepts of beauty of the beauty queen event to be followed.

40
DIGITAL THEORY, CULTURE & SOCIETY
https://journal.c-dics.com

Inevitably, the beauty pageant contestants be further investigated how then beauty is
must have the three criteria which are then re-represented by social media Instagram
often referred to as 3B, namely Brain, Beauty pageant lovers. Therefore, the researchers are
and Behavior. interested in describing "the representation
Instagram social media is the easiest of female beauty in Instagram pageant
promotional media while mobilizing lovers".
support for Indonesia's representatives in
the women's beauty event. Pageant lovers
as loyal supporters of the beauty queen
Method
event are also keen to seek support while This research uses a semiotic approach
imagining the beauty of Indonesian women. of Roland Barthes, which analyzes signs
Instagram accounts that actively update and how they work, this thinking is based
information, activities, and participants in on Saussure's thinking about signs, which
beauty queen events, including issues related he divides into signifiers and signs, where
to beauty pageants, are relatively common. Barthes' analysis is divided into several
There are a number of Instagram accounts stages of analysis, namely denotation,
that focus on supporting Indonesian beauty connotation and myth. This hidden meaning
pageants, including @portalpageant.id is the meaning that, according to Barthes, is
with approximately 24,000 followers, @ an area of ideology or mythology (Sobur,
pageantcrownwarriords with 118,000 2009: 69).
followers, and @indopageant with 208,000 Denotation is the level of meaning that
followers. explains the relationship between signifier
The age of social media, especially and signified, or between the sign and
Instagram, has also had an impact on how its reference to reality, which produces
women are portrayed through beauty an explicit, direct and definite meaning.
pageants. A number of very loyal pageant Meanwhile, connotation is the level of
fans/pageant lovers have helped shape the signification that explains the relationship
concept of beauty through social media between signifier and signified, in which
accounts. The photo of the uploaded female a meaning operates that is not explicit,
figure is liked not only by men but also by indirect, and uncertain (meaning open to all
women. As if to reinforce beauty, women possibilities). Barthes created a map of how
do not hesitate to compare themselves with signs work (Cobley & Jansz, 1999 in Sobur,
others. In fact, pageant lovers also have 2009: 69). The semiotic method or approach
the potential to compare beauty queen is used to deconstruct the meaning and myth
contestants with other idolized figures on of representation from photos, videos, and
Instagram; not infrequently, fellow pageant text in the form of captions uploaded from
lovers also form both positive and negative Instagram accounts of pageant enthusiasts,
opinions about idolized figures, in other including lain@portalpageant.id, @
words, "nyinyir." pageantcrownwarriors, and @indopageant.
With the existence of pageant lovers' The time span of uploads analyzed is January
social media accounts, how the representation to February 2023.
of female beauty displayed by Instagram In deconstructing myths and
social media through images and captions representations, signs become an important
changes. If previously the representation element to be interpreted, because
of female beauty was only associated with researchers assume that the signs contained
brain, beauty and behavior, then it needs to in the photo carry a dominant ideology,

41
Achmad Syarifudin, Kuntum Chairum Ummah

which shows that in photos and other visual the world and reality through the act of
objects there are certain interests that try to naming its elements. Signs are organized to
be communicated to the public. form semantic constructions and expressive
relationships. Instagram as a reality is able
to shape actions and views related to female
Results and Discussion beauty.
There are several beauty queen events
such as Miss Universe, Miss Charm, Beauty standard relativism
Puteri Indonesia including the issue of
Beauty pageants also have fanatical
transferring the Miss Universe license
fans, especially in the age of social media.
from Puteri Indonesia Foundation to JKN
The image of beautiful women also needs
Group in a series of events highlighted by
to be built through the Instagram account of
several pageant lovers Instagram accounts
pageant lovers with thousands of followers.
through a series of uploads, photos, videos
Thus, the meaning of beautiful tends to be
and texts. The representation of women in
relative to physical appearance from time to
pageant lovers Instagram accounts is not
time. The following screenshot, posted on
only about beauty queen contestants, but
January 23, 2023 regarding Linda Emran is
also includes a number of issues related
one of 3 Indonesian women who successfully
to women. According to Mitchell (1999),
brought home the Queen of the Pacific crown
through representation, people organize
in 1977.

Picture 1.1. In Memoriam Linda Emran

42
DIGITAL THEORY, CULTURE & SOCIETY
https://journal.c-dics.com

This is the story of a beautiful woman, shows that women at that time still seemed
one of Indonesia's beauty queens. Asian to be limited in their space and thoughts
beauty representations at that time tended in general. When asked, "If you had the
to be natural. Miss Asia Quest is the first chance to be born again, what would you
and oldest Miss Asia Pacific International be? Linda Emran's answer was "I would like
in Asia since 1968. It is based on physical to be reborn as an angel". This means that
appearance, namely wavy hair and brown by being born as an angel, she can certainly
skin at the time of the swimsuit photo shoot. have many advantages in all contexts, both
The crown received tends to cover part of in terms of morality, intelligence and the
the skull with minimal decoration on the ability to move as a woman.
crown. The signifier that appears in the The myth that women can only work in
photo shows that Linda Emran naturally the domestic sphere, meek and mild, is still
represents Indonesian women with wavy relevant in the modern era. Thus, the limited
hair, oval face shape and brown skin. Thus, space for women in the public sphere is still
the denotation meaning of the photo is that relevant in the beauty queen event of the
the representation of Indonesian women in early 1970s. Linda Emran's figure at that
general is still natural, not much familiar time was able to break the beauty standards
with facial treatments as sophisticated as dominated by women with white skin and
today. The connotation meaning of the straight hair. Although beauty pageants
photo of Linda Emran wearing the crown were not common in 1977, Linda Emran was

Picture 1.2. Black Beauty and Miss Nigeria

43
Achmad Syarifudin, Kuntum Chairum Ummah

able to become an inspiring figure for young Basset, who received the Icon Award at the
women in a public sphere where some 2019 Black Girls Rock awards, given to black
women still had limited space. women for their career achievements.
Beauty relativism can also be seen in the
Instagram posts of a participant representing Picture 1.3. Angela Basset’s Speech on Black
Miss Universe Nigeria on January 4, 2023 Girls Rock 2019
and January 1, 2023. The depiction of the
beauty of black women with the caption
"Black Beauty" is both a sign and a form of
support for pageant lovers, not only for the
beauty queen finalists from Indonesia.
Furthermore, the marker of this post
shows that the representation of beauty
according to pageant lovers does not only
look at certain races and skin colors. Beauty
has a universal meaning that is not based on
one standard of beauty. Black women with
straight hair, curly hair, and even short hair
can have extraordinary beauty.
The representation of beauty standards
through Instagram media now also seems
to be not limited to women's skin color, face The signifier that appears when Basset
shape, and hair type. Beauty pageants also speaks by displaying a firm gesture, smiling
play a role in the campaigning of beauty face and confidence. Basset also delivered
standards. Women are only represented motivational sentences and gave positive
with the dominance of certain beauty affirmations to women, "...so when youre
standards in mainstream media such as told youre not good enough, you tell them,
television, magazines, movies, including not only am I good enough, I am more
advertisements. The caption Black Beauty than enough, and when they say youre
is both a jargon and a signifier for a form not beautiful, you tell them that, youre the
of support for beauty queens from other descendants of royalty and youre queen...
countries. The signifier tends to mean "The audience's amazement and applause
positively that any woman with high self- greeted Basset's thank you speech to
confidence and abilities, later referred to as everyone who has supported her throughout
inner beauty, has indeed broken the existing her career. On a mythical level, there are
beauty standards. In the realm of myth, the still not many women who call for body
real beauty standards depend on most media positivity because women are considered
industries. unattractive if they do not meet normative
beauty standards that are limited to physical
Campaign body positivity appearance.
Thus, women are born beautiful with all
Another form of pageant lovers' support the physical forms they have and need to
for women is with positive affirmations as be supported by behavior and intelligence.
an effort to love themselves more. This can Bassett's acceptance speech motivates many
be seen in the February 26, 2023 motivational women to not feel insecure about what they
affirmation sentence post by an Angela have, one of which is body positivity. Her

44
DIGITAL THEORY, CULTURE & SOCIETY
https://journal.c-dics.com

role as the Queen Mother in the film Black arguably recorded a new history because
Panther made Angella Evelyn Bassett famous she was the only finalist wearing hijab who
as a smart and strong African-American could enter the ranks of the top 3 of Putri
woman. Broadly speaking, the connotation Indonesia East Java.The marker of the photo
meaning contained in the post wants to contains the real message of the phenomenon
convey the message of body positivity to be of women wearing hijab is still relatively
more confident in body shape and size, skin difficult to get into the top three beauty
color, gender and physical abilities to all queen events, especially Puteri Indonesia.
Indonesian women. This is also consistent Hijab-wearing women are still limited in
with the results of Kanzulfikar's (2019) expressing their joy, interests and talents in
research that the concept of inner beauty competitions and beauty contests.
represents women not only physically The myth of the dichotomy of the
beautiful on the outside, but also beautiful domestic space for women, as well as
with enthusiasm, active and energetic, and women wearing hijab being connoted as
promote "inner beauty". One of the inner conservative, not open-minded, still seems
beauties is high self-confidence. to be relevant in domestic beauty queen
Body positivity posts were also seen events, including international standards,
on the @pagecrownwarriors account on often causing pros and cons. Nakhlah is
February 10, 2023 Puteri Indonesia East Java an example of an individual who is able to
2023, who advanced to the top three. Pictured send a message of body positivity to other
are Nakhlah (Malang), Yasinta (Sidoarjo) women who wear hijab to not feel insecure.
and Renata (Surabaya). Nakhlah Vadaq, a Thus, women wearing hijab through beauty
graduate of Malang State University, did not contests cannot be separated from efforts
expect to be selected as the second runner-up to objectify women's bodies. As researched
in the Puteri Indonesia East Java 2023 event. by Rokhmatin and Habsari (2020) that
Nakhlah initially admitted that she was the appearance of women with makeup,
insecure and did not have the confidence to thick makeup, high heels, ideal bodies,
make it this far. The eldest of four siblings glamorous dresses and ornate headscarves,
although they meet the qualifications to
have the quality of Islamic values and other
Picture 1.4. Top Three of Puteri Indonesia
supporting elements to be able to participate
Jawa Timur 2023
in the competition, tend to be ambivalent.
In the midst of the social media era,
which displays various standards of
beauty, it seems that women are becoming
increasingly insecure and attached to
normative standards. In other words, the
issue of low self-confidence among women
still reinforces the opinion that women
are creatures who tend to prioritize the
emotional side over the rational. The word
insecure is most often used by women who
feel less confident about their abilities and
what they have.

45
Achmad Syarifudin, Kuntum Chairum Ummah

Women's bodies as objects of national also promote tourism and culture. This is in
costume promotion accordance with the @pageantcrownwarriors
account uploaded on January 12, 2023,
The message in the beauty queen event,
Laksmi De Neefe Suardana, appeared in a
which is now an important agenda, is to
national costume at the Miss Universe 2022
promote the culture of the archipelago in
final performance with the theme of the Pinisi
national costumes. The appearance of the
Ship. As stipulated by the Miss Universe
national costumes is considered the most
pageant, each contestant is required to wear
awaited and prestigious session for millions
a national costume that reflects her culture.
of viewers and lovers of the beauty queen
Laksmi's act of bringing the costume not
event. The positive side of the appearance
only amazed the Indonesian people, but also
of the participants in national costumes can
netizens until it went viral on social media.

Picture 1.6. Laksmi Wore National Costume

Since December 2017, the pinisi ship very rich culture. Laksmi is also able to
has also been recognized by UNESCO as imply that women with their abilities and
an intangible world cultural heritage. The willingness are also able to become a leader
obvious sign is the desire to be recognized as or captain of a ship by sailing in various
a finalist from Indonesia with a rich cultural fields of interest in this modern era.
heritage, namely the pinisi ship, through the The element of loving culture can
Miss Universe 2022 beauty pageant. Laksmi also be seen in the upload of the @
not only wore ship accessories, but also pageantcrownwarrior account dated
carried a kind of spear that made her look February 14, 2023, which shows the Miss
like a goddess of the sea. The dress is called Charm 2023 finalists wearing national
"The Glory of Phinisi" and is the work of costumes that carry Toraja customs and
designer Ikie Morphacio. culture. The design of the traditional dress
Laksmi's feminine beauty as a finalist itself comes from the traditional dress of
in the Miss Universe pageant represents Toraja women, namely Baju Pokko.
universal beauty, as a woman who is not only The Indonesian national costume
physically beautiful, modern and elegant, highlights the beauty of Toraja and also
but also knows the origin of the archipelago's contains aspects of Toraja culture that

46
DIGITAL THEORY, CULTURE & SOCIETY
https://journal.c-dics.com

Picture 1.7. Olivia Tan Wore National Costume

can be referred to as signifiers. The upper Miss Charm was the first beauty pageant
headdress depicts the horns of an albino that Indonesia participated in.
buffalo, symbolizing the wealth status of a The two uploads about the beauty queen
family. The lower part of the head depicts event with national costumes also reinforce
tongkonan, a traditional ancestral house that women are still synonymous with
with boat vessels and a distinctive gabled the feminine, graceful or gentle side. The
roof. The traditional costume is usually worn national costumes worn by the contestants
by women in traditional ceremonies for are related to the theme, concept and
thanksgiving, rice pounding, and welcome suitability between the vision and mission of
ceremonies. each beauty queen event and do not escape
A number of markers on the national the judges' evaluation aspects. The myth of
costume show that women are highly women who are feminine and tend to explore
honored in Torajan tradition with the the body is also seen in the national costume
depiction of family status on the headdress. performance session. The cultural message
On the other hand, women also play an that contestants from different countries
important role in a number of traditional want to convey is also inescapable from the
Torajan ceremonies. Women who become assumption that beauty queen finalists are
beauty queen finalists not only represent like mannequins in a clothing store where
beauty and intelligence, but also insight and they are a medium for promoting national
love for the national culture. This is in line costumes. The theme, the concept and the
with the vision and mission of Miss Charm, uniformity of each contestant's walk seem
which prioritizes the promotion of tourism, uninteresting compared to the visualization
education and culture. Inevitably, Olivia Tan of the costumes worn. This is in line with
was able to become the first runner-up of Wolf's critique of the fashion and beauty
Miss Charm 2023 in Vietnam. This is a great industry as exploitative of women, but she
achievement for Indonesia considering that adds that the myth of beauty extends to all
areas of human functioning.

47
Achmad Syarifudin, Kuntum Chairum Ummah

Commercialization of women through Photo session of Puteri Indonesia 2022


beauty queen events graduates, including Adinda Chresheilla
(from left) Puteri Indonesia representative
The commercialization of beauty pageant
from East Java. Laksmi Shari De-nefee
events has become a controversial issue in
Suardana (center) winner of Puteri Indonesia
every implementation both domestically and
2022 representing Bali, Cindy May McGuire
internationally, including the Miss Universe
(right) Puteri Indonesia 2022 representing
event. Yayasan Puteri Indonesia, which has
DKI Jakarta 5. The markers in the photo
been the initiator of domestic beauty pageant
of the three of them appear beautiful and
events for decades as well as the licensee
elegant wearing modern kebaya clothes,
of Miss Universe, has always prioritized
the tops of the three are white and red
messages of women empowerment and
batik subordinates, which are different
gender equality since its inception. This can
between the three of them. Adinda wears a
be seen in the upload@indopageants dated
dominant red kebaya subordinate, Laksmi
February 8, 2023.

Picture 1.8. Contestants of Puteri Indonesia by Yayasan Puteri Indonesia

wears a red kebaya combined with white different with a mixed Indonesian-American
as well as Cindy. The makeup tends not to face.
be excessive, with a bun as a characteristic The denotation meaning depicted from
hairstyle when wearing a kebaya. The three the photo is that Puteri Indonesia Foundation
models are quite different in presenting (YPI) has been able to represent women's
Indonesian women Adinda as a beautiful beauty through its finalists in a diverse way
figure with an Indonesian face of Javanese- from different ethnicities and cultures. The
Manado descent, brown skin color. Laksmi connotation meaning of Indonesian women's
as a beautiful figure representing Balinese beauty not only shows physical beauty,
women with a mixed Indo-Australian face elegance, but also can love and preserve
with brown skin. Cindy May McGuire looks Indonesian culture. Through the caption on

48
DIGITAL THEORY, CULTURE & SOCIETY
https://journal.c-dics.com

the post, "The blasphemy, diatribes, skewed to organize a beauty pageant. Through the
views of the Indonesian people that we image of the three finalists produced by
witnessed firsthand during the initial journey YPI as the highest achievement before the
became a sign that YPI's journey to organize transfer of the license.
a beauty pageant to send representatives of There is disappointment amidst the issue
international beauty queens was not easy. of the transfer of YPI as the licensee of Miss
Here it can be understood that YPI has made Universe into the hands of JKN Group from
a positive impact on women and gender the Miss Universe Organization (MUO). This
equality, which has always been promoted can be seen in the @indopageants upload
as the highest achievement for its journey from February 11, 2023.

Picture 1.9. Press Release Yayasan Puteri Indonesia

Although pageant lovers and YPI The new Miss Universe logo as a
expressed their disappointment in a number signifier has a number of meanings rooted
of Instagram accounts, YPI has made many in the culture of the archipelago, namely
achievements in the world beauty pageant. puppetry. Miss Universe with this new logo
Not to be outdone, as of February 8, PT tends to connote the beauty of Indonesian
Capela Swastika Karya (CSK) has the license women as a sacred figure and should be
and right to organize and send the winner glorified. Not only beautiful, elegant, loyal,
to Miss Universe. PT CSK also released a but also has very high self-confidence to
new logo that is identical to the Indonesian have an influence on the environment. The
culture seen in the upload@portalpageants connotation meaning that the new logo
on February 21, 2023 about the grand launch represents is that beautiful women who can
of Miss Universe Indonesia with a new logo represent at the Miss Universe event are
display after being separated from Puteri not only beautiful but virtuous, have good
Indonesia Foundation (YPI). JKN Group empathy. under the license of JKN Group,
Wayang gunungan is a shape that encloses Miss Universe Indonesia finalists are able to
a female doll image of the goddess Subadra be recognized and even win the universal
in the center. beauty queen event. The use of a new logo

49
Achmad Syarifudin, Kuntum Chairum Ummah

Picture 1.10. New Logo of Miss Universe

Picture 1.11. Funding for My Miss Universe Phillipines Journey

by JKN Group actually wants to be a new The business relationships that arise
breakthrough, while not much different increasingly show the commercialization
from the previous Miss Universe licensee, of beauty pageant events. This is further
YPI, which successfully won the attention corroborated by the @pageantcrownwarriors
and hearts of Indonesian pageant lovers. The upload on February 27, 2023, fundraising for
business nuances cannot be avoided from the pageant conducted by Filipina finalist
the issue of transferring the YPI license to Breena Marie Evans.
JKN Group, which then increased the offer The donation is obviously to support
tenfold, and the lack of transparency made Breena in the Miss Universe contest. It has
YPI's vision and mission no longer in line. been a dream to join her passion and share

50
DIGITAL THEORY, CULTURE & SOCIETY
https://journal.c-dics.com

her culture. The news post titled Funding there are a number of issues regarding the
fo My UNIVERSE Philippines Journey) this representation of female beauty. First, the
fundraising is categorized as a sign that relativism of women's beauty standards is
to become a Miss Universe finalist needs seen as the figure of Linda Emran with the
moral support and the cost is not cheap. natural physique of Indonesian women can
This is also highlighted by Instagram @ win Miss Asia Quest 1977, and Black Beauty
pagecrownwarriors that Filipina finalist with the support of black women also shows
Breeena Marie Evans had difficulty getting that women's beauty standards are relative.
sponsors. The text included in the post about The myth that women are still judged by their
donations to join the pageant with a green physicality is also represented by mainstream
check mark is a sign that it seems unusual media such as television, magazines, movies,
for someone to do this. donation to join the including most advertisements. Second,
beauty queen event. Despite the controversy, women's beauty is portrayed so that they
the organization of beauty pageants is able to can better appreciate the advantages and
attract various new business opportunities disadvantages of their bodies. The jargon of
ranging from brand ambassadors, makeup "inner beauty" began to be campaigned, so
and merchandise sponsors, including other that women could not only judge themselves
supporting sponsors. physically beautiful, but have inner beauty
Behind the post is able to connote that the reflected in behavior, including high self-
beauty queen event including Miss Universe confidence. Third, the beauty queen event
is nothing but an effort to exploit and with national costumes also reinforces
commercialize women with issues that are that women are still synonymous with
relevant to the social, economic and cultural femininity, grace, or softness. Women are not
conditions of the local community. Although like objects of national costume and cultural
this issue is growing, the fact is that the promotion. Fourth, the commercialization of
beauty pageant event is now increasingly women through the beauty queen event is
existing and popping up and getting a lot of inseparable from a number of issues, namely
support from the public. To become a beauty the disappointment of pageant lovers over
queen finalist including Miss Universe the change of Miss Universe license because
requires high fighting power.The fund of the lack of transparency from the JKN
raising done by the Philippine finalist also Group to the Puteri Indonesia Foundation
seems to justify the commercialization by the and the news of Breena's fundraising to join
new licensee, Jakapong "Anne" Jakrajutatip, Miss Universe Phillipines.
CEO of JKN Group. As well as justifying
that JKN Group's current mission is not
in accordance with YPI and the concept of
behavior that is always echoed by the Miss
Universe Organization (MOU).
Declaration of Ownership
This article is our original work.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis conducted
Conflict of Interest
on the accounts @portalpageant.id, @ There is no conflict of interest to declare in
pageantcrownwarriors, and @indopageant, this article.

51
Achmad Syarifudin, Kuntum Chairum Ummah

Ethical Clearance dissatisfaction and skin bleaching among


African American and Indian Women.
This study was approved by the institution. Sex Roles, 80(11–12), 735–744. https://doi.
org/10.1007/s11199-018-0966-9
References Kanzulfikar, A. (2021). Representasi
kecantikan dalam ajang Miss Universe
Cobley, P., & Jans, L. (1999). Introducing tahun 2019. Al Huwiyah: Journal of Woman
semiotics. New York: Totem Books. and Children Studies, 1(02), 58–71.
Datareportal. (2023). Digital 2023: Global Mitchell, W. (1995). Representation. In F.
overview report. https://datareportal.com/ Lentricchia & T. McLaughlin (eds).
reports/digital-2023-global-overview- Critical terms for literary study (2nd Ed).
report. Accessed 4 April 2023. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Hapsari, A. B. (2018). Representasi Sobur, A. (2009). Semiotika komunikasi.
konsep kecantikan perempuan di era Bandung: PT. Remaja Rosdakarya.
millennials melalui beauty influencer
pada media sosial Instagram (Analisis Rokhmatin, F., & Habsari, S. K. (2020).
semiotika Roland Barthes pada akun Puteri Muslimah Indonesia: New forms
Instagram @sarahayuh_, @abellyc, dan @ of objectification of women bodies in
rachgoddard). Commercium, 2(02), 59–62. beauty pageant. Kafa’ah: Journal of Gender
Studies, 10(2), 119–130.
Harper, K., & Choma, L. (2018). Internalised
white ideal, skin tone surveillance, and Wolf, N. (2010). The beauty myth: The culture of
hair surveillance predict skin and hair beauty, psychology & the self. Los Angeles:
Into the Classroom Media.

52

You might also like