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Netflix’s Glow Up brings us into the world of makeup artists and their incredible skill. The show offers competition between highly skilled artists and a positive vibe. Unlike many reality and competition shows, Glow Up has little interpersonal drama. Instead, it draws views through the artistry and skill development of the contestants. Some viewers thrive on drama and getting wrapped up in high drama shows is probably better than creating it in their real life. However, is this the only way to draw viewers and get high ratings?
For some who watch, the catty fights get in the way of admiring the true skill and determination of the contestants. Shows like X-Factor, Top Chef, and America’s Next Top Model are highly viewed not only because of the displays of talent but also the conflicts between contestants and even judges. Meanwhile, Glow Up shows contestants rooting for each other on and commiserating with a difficult challenge.
Glow Up Drama
There are still a few catfights and rumor mills, but Glow Up does not lack interest. The beauty of the make-up artist’s (MUA) creations encourages viewers to keep watching. Every episode has an assignment, creative brief, and elimination face-off. The unique set up of the challenges demonstrates the MUA’s different strengths and pushes their creativity. Tension is built around the time limits imposed, high stakes real-world challenges, the scrutiny from the judges, and which MUA is about to be eliminated. While the judges and evaluators have disagreements on who deserves to be eliminated, the MUA’s themselves comfort anyone who is upset and admire each other’s work.
When a piece of makeup art is deemed especially stunning, judge Val Garland gives the artist a coveted “Ding Dong” of approval. Fellow MUA’s applaud and congratulate the recipient even if their own work was not as well received. Though they may feel a twinge of jealousy, they appreciate the hard work their competitor puts in. Further, they accept and respect the judge’s decisions about eliminations and challenge winners.
High Drama
Reality television showing the lives of the rich and famous can entertain us with the ridiculous drama that ensues. One might argue that cattiness and the facade of importance are what drives these shows forward. Competition talent shows like X-Factor and America’s Got Talent can seem to get more views for the talentless auditions as much as the superstars.
Though these awkward auditions and high drama situations appeal to a viewer’s desire for gossip and a feeling of superiority, they leave one feeling as if we have played a part in shaming those on the other end. The drama these shows create can feel fake at times but certainly draw in the audience.
On the other hand, competition shows like Glow Up offer a different sort of appeal. Watching talented artists at work, even if they make mistakes or fail to achieve their vision, shows the true “reality” of life. Even geniuses in their field mess up sometimes and have subpar days. One should keep pursuing their passion, even if they fail sometimes. Audiences watch these shows to admire the skills and talents of the competitors, not to watch them undermine each other as the competition continues.
Glow Up Adjacents
It is one thing to document the reality of living and working with your competition. However, many shows seem to highlight and even poke a nest of conflict in order to manufacture a storyline. In an era of world tribulation and a bombardment of negative news, shows are emerging that focus more on the good and beauty in the world instead of adding additional tension.
Netflix also offers shows like The Great British Baking Show, Next In Fashion, and Blown Away that have a similar focus on talent rather than fights. Next In Fashion mirrors Project Runway in its emphasis on innovation, fashion, and design. However, host Tan France emphasizes in an interview with NPR that,
This is not a mean show. It’s in the vein of Queer Eye, we are never mean to the contestants, we show that there can be competition with decency. The world is screwy enough.
Tan France
One of the most dramatic moments in season two of Next In Fashion was not about two contestants disagreeing or talking behind each other’s backs. The moment centered on a tiff between judges and guest judges about which talent was shining brighter. Unlike shows that put down or mock less talented contestants, shows like Next In Fashion and Glow Up celebrate the journey that competitors undertook to get to where they’re at.
The “Glow Up Genre”
Glow Up, and shows like it, approaches their competitions from an athletic nature. They value good sportsmanship in the face of a win or defeat and can put aside their differences for the sake of the game. Just as strategy and preparation are applauded in sports, quality work in Glow Up is admired and studied by the artists to better their craft. Competitors respect the knowledge of the judges just as athletes in subjective sports do. Further, MUA’s learn from the critiques they are given and try to use the knowledge in the next challenges. This brings a wholesome aura to the show and encourages a similar vein of creativity in those who watch.
The uplifting vibe inspires viewers to pursue their own passions and to be unafraid of mistakes and setbacks along the way. Fans of Glow Up want to experience the process of creating beautiful work and using the competition to become better. While some may argue the Glow Up-style competition is a different genre of reality show altogether, perhaps the world is asking for shows with more wholesome competition and less of the negativity we already see so much of in our day-to-day lives.