Long Gone Are the Days of Facetune

Issue #140 | June 6, 2023

Long gone are the days of Facetune, of merely erasing the occasional zit or lightening dark circles after a late-night out on a static, good morning post.

Now, with new filters from TikTok, you have the power to completely transform your face on video, warping your eyes and face shape—no facial reconstruction surgeon required.

Despite indisputably contributing to child body dysmorphia and horrible self-esteem, for some people, these gratis virtual face lifts on TikTok and Instagram are a part of the appeal. But would it surprise you to learn that these platforms may not be totally transparent about how and when its users are having their facial features altered?

This month, some users noticed that TikTok seems to automatically give them a makeover from the very second they decide to face their camera, whether they ask for it or not. Today, writer Kelsey Weekman is exploring this dystopian evolution of beauty filters. She notes that growing up on the internet, you learn that pretty much everything you see on the internet isn’t real, and even self-proclaimed “authentic” posts are just performing authenticity. But with these new retouching automations, we don’t even get the choice.

– Grace Stanley, Newsletter Editor

SEEKING A TREND

TikTok’s new retouching tools are making the app a dysmorphic hellscape

TikTok went too far with its latest retouching tools.

By Kelsey Weekman, Passionfruit Contributor

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ONE GREAT TIP

“Engage with your community. Take the time to respond to comments, answer questions, and show appreciation to your followers. Building genuine connections and fostering a sense of community will amplify your impact.”
—Creator Salha Aziz (@sociallyaziz) on the importance of community.

IN THE BIZ

As the Writers Strike enters its sixth week, the Hollywood directors union (DGA) reached a tentative agreement with studios for improvements in wages and boundaries on artificial intelligence.
The deal will prevent the apocalyptic scenario of Hollywood’s three biggest unions striking simultaneously, as the actors union (SAG-AFTRA) voted on Monday night to authorize a strike if studios don’t agree to a new contract by June 30.
YouTube, after removing implementing a policy to remove election conspiracy theories in December 2020, will now allow content containing misinformation about Trump’s defeat to remain on the platform.
Speaking of unbridled hellscapes, Elon Musk caught heat for sharing an anti-trans film on Twitter by conservative Matt Walsh and the Daily Wire. Two executives departed from the company shortly after.
Meanwhile, Twitter’s new CEO Linda Yaccarino will start next Monday. Godspeed.
Colleen Ballinger, the creator behind Miranda Sings, is being called out on YouTube and Twitter for predatory and manipulative behavior toward her young fans. It’s a harrowing reminder of the dangers of toxic fandoms and abuses of power.
Layoffs in the podcasting world have people wondering if the boom in venture capitalist funding for the podcasting is dying out. “It has nothing to do with the people actually making podcasts, it’s the 21st-century carpetbaggers leaving the space. You, and the art form, are INFINITELY more valuable than tech guys investment,” one creator noted. ‘Nuff said.

TIPS AND TRICKS

How to build a strong personal brand as a creator

Learn from your heroes how to sell your brand.

By Jen Glantz, Passionfruit Contributor

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TOOLS REVIEW

Can OnlyFans creators see your email?

As an OnlyFans creator, how private is the information your audience gives you?

By Rachel Kiley, Passionfruit Contributor

READ THE FULL STORY →

woman in bra holding phone in bed with red to blue OnlyFans overlay Passionfruit Remix

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

This masterpiece Across the Spider-Verse review.
The insufferable yet lucrative world of CringeTok.
YouTuber Coffeezilla exposing an alleged $500 million ponzi scheme.
An interview with the Try Guys about the loss of one of their squad.
This early access preview of the video game prequel to The Expanse series.

TWITTER MADE ME DO IT

Conservative Twitter is not exactly renowned for its artistic inclinations, but last week one of their own posted this work of art.

As it turns out, the original image was actually created by a trans artist who is selling priDEMONth merch on Redbubble. In their words: “Reclamation is important! They want to call us demons? Then we will embrace that.” Demons of the world, unite!!!