In her TED talk, supermodel Cameron Russell draws attention to the superficiality of image by demoting herself to an average, self-conscious, and lucky woman in order to emphasize the idea that image does not constitute who an individual truly is. Russell develops this idea by sharing her true feelings about her own appearance and by becoming vulnerable to the audience through the comparison of her true self to the portrayal of herself captured in the studio. 

Russell begins her talk by walking onto the stage in a tight fitting dress and high heels, immediately acknowledging that her appearance has created "'an uncomfortable tension'" (Russell) in the audience. She then changes into a loose fitting and modest outfit, acknowledging that this simple alteration in how she looks "'[changes] what [the audience] thinks of [her] in a brief ten seconds'" (Russell). At this moment, Cameron Russell removes her title as a beautiful model, and instead presents herself as a humble, average woman. She makes herself approachable and compassionate to the feelings of others. Instead of being the beautiful model in the stylish, curve enhancing clothes, she becomes a regular person, which creates trust and an emotional connection between her and her audience. This seemingly small act creates Russell's main point that "'image is powerful, but also, image is superficial'" (Russell). A person's image does not go beyond what the eye can see, and Cameron Russell has made it blatantly obvious that often times, people are quick to judge simply on an individual's outward appearance. 

Russell progresses through the talk by showing pictures of herself taken on normal days during everyday life events compared to those taken as a model. Russell acknowledges that although the pictures of her in magazines are great, that they are not her true self, "'they are constructions ...  by a group of professionals. By a group of hair stylists and makeup artists and photographers and stylists ... '" (Russell). Basically, Russell is pointing out that this powerful, superficial, society driven idea of beauty does not truly exist; it is a fabrication. The models on TV and in magazines are not representational of the people they actually are; they are professionally altered and posed, and are not worthy of representing that individual's true spirit and personality. Cameron Russell's point here is that there is much more to beauty; it is deeper than what is on the outside. When admiring beauty, it is also important to admire the person underneath the fashionable clothes and the great hair. Beauty is only true when it comes from within a person.

Cameron Russell also points out that society's take on image and the superficial nature of beauty, ultimately leads to self-consciousness.  Russell mentions that people often ask her "'what is it like to be a model?'" (Russell), and that often times she, along with other models, will give answers like "'it's really amazing to travel, and it's amazing to get to work with creative, inspired, passionate people'" (Russell), but that is not the whole picture. The rest of the story is that '"[she is] insecure'" (Russell) and this is because she has to be conscious of her image all of the time.  Russell goes on to discuss how many young girls often believe if  "'you are a little bit skinnier and you have shinier hair, you will be so happy and fabulous'", but this is absolutely not true (Russell). As a matter of fact, Russell even goes as far as to say "'why [be a model]? You could be anything. You could be the president of the United States, or the inventor of the next Internet'" (Russell). Here, Russell is saying, why settle for a career that only focuses on beauty and image, when you could be something much bigger; this is where Russell truly pushes the idea that '"image isn't everything"' (Russell). She is pointing out the idea that beauty can say a lot, but at some point image fails, and that eventually image is something to be looked over, for example, Russell comments '"if you want to be the president of the United States, but your resume reads 'Underwear Model  --  10 years', people give you a funny look'" (Russell). Cameron Russell is arguing that although looks are a nice idea, they can also be detrimental. Image can be completely devastating to a person's thoughts and feelings about others as well as their attitude toward themselves. If appearance is all that society can focus on, the individual gets lost, the personality and spirit of people disappears. It is imperative that beauty is admired at a deeper level beyond just makeup and hairstyles. It is important that people strive to become something bigger than their appearance. 

During her TED talk, Russell also goes on to acknowledge that she was lucky. She describes this luck as, "[winning] a genetic lottery" and being "the recipient of a legacy", that legacy being "tall, slender figures, femininity, and white skin" (Russell).   She was simply fortunate enough to be born as a white female with decent hair and long legs. She just happened to possess the facial features that, we as humans tend to find more beautiful. Cameron Russell does not say this lightly or conceitedly, but instead as a means of saying she is not superior to anyone, she simply held the right cards to play the game. As a matter of fact, Russell is sure to discuss the consequences of her luck, rather than the benefits. Although, obviously there are benefits, as she has a successful career as a model, she mostly discusses things like how she was forced to lose her innocence at a young age, for example, posing scandalously for photo-shoots before she even had her first boyfriend. Russell also points out other flaws in her luck such as how she does not get to make very many decisions on her own. Russell's main argument here is that although things seem glamorous on the outside, it may not be so perfect and shiny on the inside; again, the idea that it is important to evaluate more than just outward appearance.

In this TED talk, Cameron Russell is extremely successful in developing her idea that, ultimately, image does not matter. She brings herself to a common level with her audience, so that others can relate to her. She does this by changing her physical appearance as well as allowing herself to be vulnerable about her true feelings. Instead of being the tall, beautiful model on stage with the perfect body, Russell becomes an average woman with lacking self-confidence; she allows herself to become relatable and compassionate to other's insecurities.  Also, she reveals the truth about image and beauty by taking an exclusive look into the world of modeling; and it turns out that although everything appears to be perfect and shiny, it is not all that it is made out to be. Cameron Russell does an excellent job of creating the idea that it is incredibly important to look beyond an individual's outward appearance, and instead learn to appreciate the person for who they truly are. 

