BeReal Crowns Pap Smear Moment As ‘Realest’ Photo On Earth
Video screenshot via BeReal
With artificially generated imagery permeating the web, a touch of authenticity is always welcome. BeReal, the app famed for its dedication to genuine, less-glamorous content, sought to find the “Realest Person on Earth” and reward them for it. The campaign, active through the first half of November, encouraged users to share their most authentic moments.
It was a moment of unfiltered truth from Alexandra, a user from Iowa, that clinched the title. Her candid photo, taken during a pap smear examination, captured a raw and unvarnished slice of life.
Video screenshots via BeReal
Unlike other social platforms, BeReal is designed to foster realness over perfection. It prompts users at a random time each day to capture their actual surroundings and share a photo within two minutes. There are no filters or editing controls, with that one image in-app using both front and rear cameras. This approach to social media, where genuine experiences take center stage, aims to dismantle the veneer often associated with online personas. The app emphasizes that capturing a moment shouldn’t require preparation—it’s about the spontaneity of life as it happens.
Among 50 finalists, Alexandra’s impromptu decision to document her routine health check at the University of Iowa’s student health center struck a chord.
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— BeReal. (@BeReal_App) November 15, 2023
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— BeReal. (@BeReal_App) November 15, 2023
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— BeReal. (@BeReal_App) November 15, 2023
Her bold and unedited portrayal of a common women’s health procedure won her a US$5,000 cash prize, a lavish US$15,000 vacation with three friends, and the distinctive honor of her photo being showcased on a Times Square billboard. Furthermore, she scored the chance to choose BeReal’s global post time for a day.
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Alexandra shared her experience with The Daily Iowan, explaining the spontaneity behind the photo. She recalled the moment during her pap smear exam, a typically uncomfortable procedure, when the BeReal notification popped up. With the speculum in place and the exam underway, she realized the uniqueness of the situation.
Instead of overthinking, Alexandra quickly captured the photo, knowing the moment would not resurface. This impromptu action led to her winning shot.
The organic moment is being amplified by billboards in high-traffic areas like New York City’s Times Square, as well as in major cities across Europe and Asia, making a powerful statement about valuing authenticity in our day-to-day lives.
[via PetaPixel and Femtech Insider, video and screenshots via BeReal]
