Series Review: “Ugly Betty”

If you’re looking for a show to binge, it might be time to get ugly.

“Ugly Betty” that is.

There are few shows of the Y2K that feature a predominately Latinx cast, without inserting stereotypes or resulting in cheap gimmicks, that also check all the representation boxes for the Mexican-American community.

Based on the Colombian telenovela “Betty la fea,” the English version was initially pitched in 2001 as a sitcom, but later was reworked as an hour-long comedy-drama when the show was backed by Ventanarosa Productions, a company owned by Mexican actress Salma Hayek.

The final product, titled “Ugly Betty,” finally aired in 2006, not long after the Mexican version of the telenovela, “La fea mas bella.”

“Ugly Betty” is the story of Betty Suarez, a 26-year-old Mexican-American young woman living in Queens, New York, who aspires to  nothing more than to be a published writer in a magazine. 

When Betty (played by America Ferrera) is offered the opportunity to work as the assistant to the editor-in-chief of Mode, the leading fashion magazine, she jumps at the opportunity, yet is crushed to find out the only reason she got the job was because of her “unconventional” appearance.

The series follows Betty as she navigates the world of high-fashion, while existing as a woman of color who directly contrasts every beauty standard that was propelled in that time. While she is initially very clumsy and naïve, Betty is determined to prove those who doubt her wrong.

With a total of four seasons, the series touches on themes ranging from body dysmorphia to immigration to the transgender experience and gender reassignment surgery. 

Like many film and television shows of the past, there are moments some might consider politically incorrect, at best. At worst, some dialogue contains deliberately racist, fatphobic and transphobic language. 

Despite its occasionally outdated dialogue, the story of Betty Suarez holds a candle to present-day television shows and will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. The series especially stresses the intersectionality of being a woman of color.

Rather than utilize the common TV stereotype where “attractive” women demean or ignore “ugly” women, Betty has had successful and meaningful relationships with the other Latina women she’s interacted with. Guest stars of the show include Shakira and Adriana Lima, who always identified with Betty because of their similar backgrounds; even producer Salma Hayek had a recurring role in the first season.

The progression of Betty’s character is perhaps the most fun to watch. While learning new skills and growing as a person, Betty never compromises who she is.

“Ugly Betty” is a fun show with serious topics that people of all backgrounds can appreciate. As a Mexican-American woman with similar dreams of seeing their work in a widely-known publication, the character of Betty Suarez is special to me.

Rather than profess the tired theme of “inner beauty,” the show maintains that there is beauty in “ugly.”

The entire “Ugly Betty” series is available to stream now on Hulu.