HealthOctober 1, 2026

When Makeovers Went Too Far: Revisiting The Swan

Easy Medium Hard

② Start Lesson

Key Vocabulary

documentary/ˌdɑː.kjəˈmen.tər.i/

A non-fiction film that tells a real story.

"She watched a short documentary about the show."

plastic surgery/ˈplæs.tɪk ˌsɜːr.dʒər.i/

Medical operations that change a person’s appearance.

"The show offered plastic surgery to contestants."

contestant/kənˈtɛs.tənt/

A person who takes part in a contest or show.

"Each contestant wanted a new look."

Listening

When Makeovers Went Too Far: Revisiting The Swan

Erin Lee Carr made a documentary called The Swan: Behind the Mirror. The film looks back at a 2004 TV show called The Swan on the Fox network. The Swan took women who wanted big changes and gave them plastic surgery and other makeovers. The original series had two short seasons in 2004.

The documentary includes interviews with women who were contestants. The women lived in mirror-free apartments while they healed. They had surgery, dental work, strict diets, and hard training. Some contestants say they had serious problems after the show. The film asks us to think about how beauty culture can change lives.

104 words

Quiz

1. Who made the documentary?

2. Where did the original TV show air?

3. Where did the women live while they healed?

Reading Practice

Read the article from the Listening section aloud. Your AI teacher will give you pronunciation feedback.

Discussion

Do you think changing your appearance would make you happier? Why or why not?

Have you ever wanted to change something about your look? What did you do?

What do you think when you hear about TV shows that change people’s bodies?