Ugly Betty is based on the successful Colombian telenovela by Fernando Gaitán, Yo Soy Betty la Fea which ran from 1999 to 2001. This telenovela has been exported to many countries, reaching high audience ratings. Yo Soy Betty la Fea and Ugly Betty have a similar if not identical premise: an ugly but ingenious and efficient assistant falls in love with her boss while having to bar being ridiculed by her co-workers. In the end everyone sees that Betty is beautiful.
Given that fact that I have never seen Ugly Betty before, I opted to watch the first episode or the “Pilot”. In the “Pilot” episode of Ugly Betty (also known as “I Am Not Going to Sell Herbalux”), Betty Suarez (played by America Ferrara) is hired as assistant to the editor in chief (Daniel Mead) of MODE magazine, a fashion magazine in Manhattan. The move to hire someone like Betty to work for a fashion magazine screams out “oxymoron”. Betty is made to look ugly and completely lacks a fashion sense. Is there a good reason why someone like Betty would be chosen for the position? Yes there are a couple. The first reason can be considered internal: Daniel’s father wanted to hire someone that would deter his son from sleeping with his assistants. The second reason can be considered external: producers needed a complete oxymoronic character to have a show that would produce the entertaining effects that Ugly Betty produced. Now, was in necessary for a Latina to be cast for the role of Ugly Betty?
The idea of having chosen a Latina to play the character of the ugly and unfashionable protagonist is rather complicated. Was the casting of a Latina, America Ferrara, as the ugly character an unwitting coincidence? Or was the ugly Latina character intended to degrade all Latinas? I think it may have been easy for some to draw a negative conclusion about the intentions behind casting a Latina to play Betty considering her ethnicity. However there is so much more to Betty than just her unappealing looks and distasteful fashion sense or lack thereof. From the very beginning of the show Betty Suarez comes off as a go getter. Betty Suarez provides an empowered Latina representation by staying true to herself and showing those she works with (mainly beautiful white people) that she has the smarts and everything it takes required for the job. That is how she manages to gain the acceptance of some of the less shallow colleagues.
I don’t believe that it was ever the shows intention to represent all Latinas as unattractive or disadvantaged. If anything I think that the show represents the Latina woman as empowered and determined. Betty’s sister Hilda is portrayed as a beautiful and confident woman with a good fashion sense. Salma Hayek is the producer of Ugly Betty and also makes appearances on the show as a powerful and attractive magazine editor. With that I think that we can conclude that Betty Suarez was not meant to portray the embodiment of all Latinas. I don’t believe that everyone will ever be completely satisfied with the representation of their ethnicity on the big screen. Conversely if we were to analyze the way whites are portrayed on the show, the conclusion would not be a favorable one either.
I’ve never watched Ugly Betty, but I have watched the Mexican adaptation La Fea Mas Bella. It’s actually one of favorite novelas. Its refreshing to see a Latina female protagonist on TV that is not overly sexualized. From what I read on this blog I can conclude that Betty Suarez and Leticia Padilla share the same characteristics. They are both intellectual and hardworking. The fact that they made these characters unattractive is genius. It’s so far off your stereotypical sexy Latina, who uses her looks get what she wants out of men. I do, however think that a Latina was intentionally casted as Betty. Salma Hayek is one of the executive producers. Perhaps her intentions were to push Latinas further away from this “HOT TAMALE” type, the same type she has often played because of her looks.
I have never seen this show. But just from reading your post, I do believe you are correct about portraying Latino women as empowered and determined especially when competing in the workplace with White women. If anything during “Latino Explosion” as Baez recalls it, Hollywood used the most attractive actresses. I do not think there was any purpose in creating Betty as an “unattractive” person, at least in society’s eyes. If anything, there is a constant stereotype of Latino women being very attractive and feisty. Their accents, whether forced or natural, are also viewed as appealing. She does seem to steer away from that average idea of a Latino woman.
I never watched this show; I think the title did not appeal to me. However, it appears that it may be worth watching since Ugly Betty is a powerhouse in the show. I just assumed that it was all fluff and it was about a makeover. Your review intrigued me and I am very much interested in how she uses her intelligence to navigate the corporate world.
I like the others who have responded to your blog have not viewed this show before but as you have mentioned in this blog this show is popular in many countries, I feel it would probably be safe to say that most of these countries are Spanish speaking. The Spanish speaking audience in the United States would probably have protested if the American version were anything but a Latina. It is refreshing to have a Latina as the bright, innovative and “go-getter” character as opposed to the lazy, sexy, waitress/busboy, gardener type.
I have not seen this show, but I did read a few journal articles about it for my senior seminar project. The articles I had read discussed how Betty did not fit in to the stereotypical mold of the traditional American beauty standards, and while she was as you described a go getter, she was never truly accepted by her beautiful colleagues. I think this is a struggle that many real life (not the oversexed ones on the big screen) face. While it shouldn’t be that our work or knowledge is judged on our appearance the sad truth is that it often is.
Although the plot of Ugly Betty seems to be purposely down playing the hypersexualized Latina that we are used to seeing in the media (think…Sophia Vergara in Modern Family), i think it is done for a different purpose. If the show had taken a different approach and Betty was glammed up and drop dead gorgeous the audience would assume that she got this position because of her looks. I agree with you that by making Betty “Ugly” by modern standards, she is judged by her intelligence and the ability to do her job well. Betty also exemplifies the average American girl trying to make it in the fashion business who may consider herself less than attractive but doesn’t want to give in to societal and cultural norms just to work in the field she desires.
I enjoyed your blog on Ugly Betty it gave a sense of how judgmental and ruthless the fashion industry can be. People get hired because of their appearance all the time, it is somewhat degrading if that is all your worth. What i liked about your blog is that she was as well hired for her looks. It was to deter a promiscuous son from trying to enhance his ego. America Ferrera is good actress, she came out in End Of Watch as a cop, she is believable. i look forward to seeing this show.
I used to watch this show religiously when it first came out, but lost interest after a few seasons. Some of the plots and season arcs were just too far-fetched for me to handle. I think, however, that this adaptation of “Yo Soy Betty La Fea” was meant to be so outrageous because it was mimicking the Spanish telenovelas. Most novelas are rife with drama, unrealistic situations, and mind-blowing plot twists.
By casting American Ferrera, a beautiful and strong Latina, in this role as a less than average looking woman, it gives the viewer the ability to see past the sexpot role that most Latin woman are cast into. We see a strong, capable, and “real” example of hard work, dedication, and great work ethic, despite the odds that are not always in her favor. Betty is placed into situations where others may have taken her brains for granted and is given the chance to excel.
There is a strong contrast between Betty and her sister, and people are constantly trying to get Betty to change who she is and what she wears in order to fit in. I think the true testament to the strength of this character is that Betty never lets anyone sway her opinion of what is right or wrong, nor can they change what is in her heart. This gives young Latin women a positive role model in their formative years.
Hello Angie,
I tried watching Ugly Betty but I couldn’t. I found myself comparing it to the Colombian version which is Yo Soy Betty La Fea. I loved this telenovela plus the Colombian accent. I may give it another try, and I will attempt not to be judgmental. I have a hard time watching shows where they try to portray Latinos and they do it incorrectly. Those mistakes annoy me. This is the link to the Colombian version. If you like you can watch it on Hulu. I believe it is available http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0233127/.
I had never seen this show until last night. I have had it on my Netflix list for awhile now. I was truly surprised after watching it. I agree with you that Ugly Betty was not reared to be about an ugly Latina, but that she was an intelligent and determined Latina. This show has great humor in it, which draws viewers to the show. I also liked how you added background facts to your blog, such as Selma Hayek was the director of the show. I had no idea that she even directed movies, so it is interesting to see another Latina that is not just a maid, a beautiful actress, but a director also. You really give a fantastic review of the show, without giving the show away. Your examples in the way you viewed the show would make me want to watch the show more than a going on the IMBD site to read a rundown of the scenes from the entire show. Great blog because you intrigued the viewer before and after watching the show.
I heard about Betty La Fea many years ago as a spanish telenovela. From what I heard it was a real good one that made number one around the world. The Original Betty La Fea was a Colombia made telenovela. The Ugly Betty episode that you posted is a English version series. Ugly Betty in this series is treated really bad, by her boss. He really did not want her as his assistant, the only reason why she is working for him is because of her bosses dad. Ugly Betty is a Latina who is very intelligent and has many ideas in regard to work. The reason why, people do not take her serious is because of her appearance. This is probably a stereotype that many Latinos have to face in the United States.
The fact that this whole show can from a novella says a lot! While the ugly Betty series seems to be or was popular what it is really saying is sad. I like the humor in the show and that it defies the obvious stereotypes of Latino women but agiain sad to see the way people even myself view others. I’ve never watched the series but I think it has the potiental to point out the judgements we all make about Latinos women and roles in general
Hello,
Yes, I agree with you Vanesa, for the first time a Latina is not shown as hypersexual and half naked. I enjoyed the concept of the telenovela because it indicates that a woman does not have to be incredibly beautiful, attractive, or sexy to be perfect. She was brilliant, attended school, and worked to be someone in life other than a sexualized woman that will become a homemaker and live off the man. I believe this telenovela empowers women and especially young women to become educated and know they are worth more than looks.
I agree with your analysis of the Ugly Betty Pilot. No one will ever be completely satisfied with how their ethnic group is portrayed in Hollywood and Im sure Betty is not expected to represent all Latina’s, but I admire her strong work ethic. She reminds me of Anne Hathaway character Andy on the Devils Wears Prada, she took a beating from her boss.However, Betty did not whine about it, no one can deny she tried her best to go above and beyond her job specs. I enjoyed Betty staying true to herself and telling Daniel his truths. I wish I had taken an interest when the series was active. I enjoyed your informative and honest post!
I saw this pilot episode of the show. I really liked it. This will definitely be a show that I will watch on Netflix. I agree with you in that I also don’t think that this show was meant to portray Latina’s in a bad light. Ugly Betty is actually a very sweet girl who knows what she wants and is very determined to get it. She shows that by doing whatever Daniels wanted. Even if it meant putting her own family on the back burner so to speak. I think it shows Latina’s in a really good light. The white characters they showed were portrayed very badly. Stuck up and ruthless. This movie reminds me a little of the movie Real Women Have Curves. Ana was very determined to follow her dreams of going to college and to make something out of her life. She succeeded at the end. Just like how Ugly Betty succeeded in getting the dream job that she wanted. Very good show. Thanks for the review!