'Instagram isn't real life': 'Sports Illustrated' model Kate Wasley shares startling post showing how easy it is to manipulate your body in photos

A model is being praised for showing others that Insta-“perfect” snaps on social media are often the result of careful editing.

Kate Wasley, a Perth, Australia-based plus-size model who has appeared in Sports Illustrated, took to her Instagram account to reveal the small yet significant alterations people make to their photos to make them look better.

“It takes so little time to alter a photo & so little time to compare yourself to the altered reality we constantly see on Instagram,” she wrote alongside a video revealing her digitally altered thighs, back, arms, waist, and face.

“It might be photoshop, it might be a pose, it might be that the person your comparing yourself to is a completely different build &body type to you,” she said. “When you compare yourself to someone online you’re probably thinking of yourself at your worst & you’re comparing that to someone’s best fragments of their life that they choose to share with the world.”

Wasley reminded social media users that what you see online isn’t always the complete story. “Everyone compares them selves in one way or another but so often it isn’t a fair fight. Instagram isn’t real life.”

The clip also shows how easy it is to digitally alter her body to make her waist seem slimmer and legs appear thinner. Her breasts are also enhanced, and any trace of cellulite is erased within seconds in the shocking video.

Unsurprisingly, the model’s refreshingly honest post hit a nerve with other users, and they were quick to offer their praise of her message in the comments section.

“Wow!!! So true!! I love that you shared these words and the altering of the photo!! We all need more REAL and transparent people like you on the gram!” one commenter wrote. “Our body positivity and realness about these issues all women struggle with is meaningful and makes a difference,” another agreed. “You’ve helped me so much with embracing my confidence and self-worth.”

“We need to end the comparison game,” another user commented. “Thank you for doing your part and inspiring woman across the world.”

It’s not the first time Wasley has been an advocate for body confidence. The model frequently uses her Instagram page as a platform to spread body positivity. “Problem areas: Brain, for believing societies warped, narrow perception of beauty #bodypositive,” she wrote alongside one Instagram photo of herself in a bikini this summer.

“Remember that regardless of what you may think of someone’s body that human being is still worthy of self love and respect,” she captioned another. “We all have so much more to offer this world than just our bodies and physical beauty regardless of the pressures put on everyone, (men and women alike) to look a certain way.”

The model is determined to see more curvy representation beyond social media too.

“I want to see more plus-sized models in advertising, especially in main brands,” she said earlier this year in an interview with Sports Illustrated.

“There’s a lot of progress, but there’s still only a few, mature brands using plus-sized models. I want to see it more in younger brands. I want to see the Australian market take it up as well. And I just want to keep inspiring women however I can.”

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