Ingrid Nilsen Tapped For Documentary About Digital Beauty Standards

Indie women’s magazine Darling — which was founded in 2011 to focus on building self-esteem rather than feeding into body image issues — is set to launch a feature-length documentary about digital beauty standards, and it has tapped one of YouTube’s most renowned lifestyle creators for some added perspective.

Lifestyle vlogger Ingrid Nilsen will appear in the film, titled Selfie, which has begun to air as a 10-part mini-series on Darling’s YouTube channel ahead of its premiere in full next year. Nilsen’s episode, titled Perception and available now, will see the 28-year-old YouTube star discussing retouching in social media, and the ways that it can create distorted notions of beauty.

All told, the film — which is sponsored by American Eagle‘s Aerie brand — will feature interviews with influential women aged 8 to 80, exploring the history of retouching and its impact with respect to eating disorders, mental health diagnoses, and body image issues. The film will also explore the body-positive movement that has emerged in recent years with interviews from singer/actress Debby Ryan and fashion blogger Niké Ojekunle.

“Our vision at Darling has always been to produce smart, engaging and helpful content for women to help build up their self-esteem,” said founder, CEO, and editor-in-chief Sarah Dubbeldam. “Whether it is in our own editorial, our advertising, or any other media produced by Darling, the intention is to stop feeding into the obsession over body image and this film really exemplifies the story behind it.”

Check out Nilsen’s contribution below: