The Ugly Truth Behind Pretty Privilege
Let’s talk about it.
by MIA ROSENZWEIG ★ MARCH 20, 2023
The hot topic of pretty privilege has been floating around for a while now. You might be asking yourself what pretty privilege is or if it is even real. Essentially, pretty privilege is special treatment a person receives for being conventionally attractive. Women are expected to be petite, thin, have thick hair, big eyes, a small nose, and full lips. A man is expected to be tall and have the perfect body. A long list, I know, but the truth is being pretty affords you opportunities that a person who doesn’t fit the beauty standard wouldn’t have
A common way people benefit from pretty privilege is by getting famous off of pure looks. According to The Guardian, TikTok has admitted the algorithm shows people that meet the beauty standard. It even encourages users to use beauty filters that alter their faces. A perfect example of this social media archetype is Alix Earle. Alix blew up this past year, primarily because of her looks. Alix promotes different makeup and outfit choices to her audience, and there is even a trend of “Trying The Alix Earl Makeup Look”. Don’t get me wrong, Alix has a lovely personality, but without the help of her beauty it is difficult to believe she would have been able to achieve the same level of success.
The media is constantly showing perfect women in magazines. It makes you think if they can look perfect, why can’t I? The truth is, the celebrities everyone sees have money that we don’t and can afford plastic surgery. Your favorite celebrities like The Kardashians, Bella Hadid, and even Alix Earle have all gotten some procedure done. Many celebrities keep their visits to the table in secret, enhancing the average girl’s insecurities as they don’t have money for lip fillers and breast implants. Money allows people to afford the high-end products to achieve any desired look. Magazines and social media raise the expectation that all women should look like these celebrities; a standard that is extremely unrealistic.
The media has maintained this impossible beauty standard for decades. TV shows and movies commonly hire adults to play high schoolers, leaving young girls questioning why they don’t look like that. Hollywood tends to cut out the developing stage, only choosing child actors or fully developed adults. In a 2021 TV favorite, Euphoria, Sydney Sweeney, a 25 year-old, plays a 16 year-old high schooler. I know I definitely did not look like Sydney Sweeney when I was 16!
When it comes to guys, being attractive can be the dealbreaker between creepy and cute. TikToker BrachStrad1995 spoke about his experience growing up “below average” looking. “If you are romantically interested in someone, don’t even waste your time because you have a 0% chance of getting anywhere with them,” he said. It goes to say that men face similar struggles of pretty privilege as women do. Being unattractive means worse treatment and a more difficult chance at a love life. Brad goes on to say that after he lost weight and changed his hair, he was treated as a completely different person. He felt more respected and was met with kindness instead of disgust.
Pretty privilege provides opportunities that the average guy wouldn’t get. Someone with a criminal past is usually seen as intimidating, but if you are attractive people see you as redeemable. A perfect example of pretty privilege is prisoner mugshots going viral. The most famous mugshot is of Jeremy Meeks. His mugshot led him to a modeling career and a second chance at life. Vogue even nicknamed Meeks “The Hot Mugshot Guy”.
Whether it's subliminally or point-blank obvious, pretty privilege has affected everyone. It’s important to be aware of it and its harmful effects. Learning about how we can become more accepting, and normalizing everyone and their own unique beauty, is the first step. We are definitely on the right track, but we still have a long way to go.