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May 26, 2012

Is it me or is Ugly Betty de-uglifying a bit?

by Joel Keller, posted Feb 27th 2007 4:22PM
America Ferrera of Ugly BettyI'm probably one of the few Ugly Betty watchers who thought that America Ferrera looked cute in her Betty getup from day one. But it seems as if Betty Suarez has been slowly de-uglifying ever since. Many of our readers have noticed that America is noticeably slimmer than she was when the show started. But I've also noticed that her hair (is it a wig?) isn't as much of a shaggy mop as it has been, her clothes aren't as loud (still frumpy, but not as silly), and her brace-face isn't quite as prominent.

All this may be in an effort to shape the character -- in other countries' versions of the show, Betty eventually goes through a transformation into a gorgeous woman. At the very least, it may be showing that Betty's time at Mode might be rubbing off on her in small ways. But, according to TV Guide's Mike Ausiello, some of the changes might be coming from Ferrera's reps, as he reported in a blind item today. In other words, he doesn't mention the name of the show, but most of the commenters seem to think he's talking about Betty.

Some of Ausiello's readers cited other sources that said that Ferrera requested that Betty lose her braces because they're painful to wear during what I'm sure is a pretty grueling shooting schedule. I can understand that; people don't wear braces forever, and it's perfectly realistic to see Betty lose the metal and either go with a retainer or nothing at all.

But the rest? The slimmer body, the less-loud clothes, the nicer hair? I can live with that. Look, the point of the show is not that Betty herself is ugly; she's supposed to be a contrast to the stick-skinny and shallow fashionistas at Mode, and she still is. There's no need to make Betty a complete cartoon to get the point across.

And America might be feeling the usual Hollywood pressure to lose weight. But I can tell you from personal experience, she still looks more natural and normal than 90 percent of the actresses I encountered when I was out in L.A. Most of them were so skinny, their dresses just hung off their shoulders, not showing any evidence of a figure.

So is Betty Suarez getting a little less ugly? Sure. But she's not becoming a beauty queen, at least not yet. And the character is still kind at heart. That's why we started liking her in the first place, anyway...

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yumijp

"58. Ever heard of Overeaters Anonymous? Posted at 4:08PM on Mar 3rd 2007 by Linda G"

Linda G, ever heard of Flaming Douchebags Anonymous?

Your ignorance astounds me. You have issues, seek some help. No one wants to see your wrinkly old ass in a bathing suit either.

"Sorry Tim, but you are wrong. I stand by what I said earlier. I am close friends with a series regular who has been treated very badly by America Ferrera - and he is not the only cast member who has been. My friend is a very nice and professional person who doesn't deserve this treatment. It's made his working experience on the show very difficult. But hey, you naive folks go on and believe what you want. I'm telling the truth - sorry it hurts you to hear it!"

So Who exactly is this 'Series Regular' that has been tortured America? if it actually did happen, you won't mind telling us, right?

April 07 2007 at 7:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gwin

"53. I highly doubt that 'Not a Fan' actually knows anyone on the show. Very easy to say things in cyberspace where no one knows who you are."

Sorry Tim, but you are wrong. I stand by what I said earlier. I am close friends with a series regular who has been treated very badly by America Ferrera - and he is not the only cast member who has been. My friend is a very nice and professional person who doesn't deserve this treatment. It's made his working experience on the show very difficult.

But hey, you naive folks go on and believe what you want. I'm telling the truth - sorry it hurts you to hear it!

March 20 2007 at 4:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
SANDY

GO SHANA,...I'M GLAD SOMEBODY FINALLY TOLD LINDA WHAT SHE NEEDED TO BE TOLD. I WAS GETTING SICK OF HEARING HOW THIN SHE THINKS THE WORLD SHOULD BE AND I'M A THIN PERSON!! SHE NEEDS TO BE CAREFUL WHAT SHE RIDICULES BEFORE IT BITES HER ON THE ASS!

March 07 2007 at 12:32 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Daniel and Betty perfect for each other

Not a fan i guess that she must really be evil. ou can tell by the way Salma and her other costars hug her and smile with her all the time... LOL probably the comptetition trying to sabotage the series. It happens.

Anyway, I think that people evolve. And if Betty gets a make over or not shouldn't be a big deal. As long as she remains the smart self-sufficient, genuine person she is. I'm all for the makeover. To keep her working at mode and not upgrading her image at all would be extremely unrealistic. Oh and i hope she and Daniel get together eventually. The point of the series is also Daniel's growth and ability to see past Betty's looks and learn to love her for who she is. That's what appealed to most of the audience in South America and other countries. The fact that he fell in love with her regardless of how "ugly" she is. Because she's the only woman who makes him a better man.
I'm all for the change and for her to get Daniel all to herself!!!

March 06 2007 at 12:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
crazy monkey

I love ugly betty and "not a fan" you stink. I have done a lot of studying on her and shes really nice! So is that person who started the show! (I dont remamber her name at hte second)Any ways I love ugly betty

March 04 2007 at 9:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
SANDY

Haley, I totally agree with you, Linda G is being extremely judgemental. And, to say that 5'4", 140lbs is fat is absolutely ridiculous! I've been lucky enough to be 5'2", 110 lbs since high school. I wear a size 2. But, the difference in me and Linda G is, I'm not foolish enough to ridicule others who struggle with weigh issues. I think it is unfortunate that people have weight problems and have to struggle daily with that issue, but the last thing they need is some skinny woman telling them how unhealthy they are! Linda G, you have a lot of nerve and lack compassion. Obviously, you also have a major ego problem! Sounds like your ego needs to go on a diet!!!

March 03 2007 at 8:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
SANDY

I totally agree with Tina regarding the remarks that Linda G made. It is absolutely ridiculous to put a size on health. I have been 5'2" and 110 lbs since high school and I am fortunate to have been able to maintain my size, but I feel sorry for people who stuggle with weight issues. We live in a society that measures beauty from the outside rather than the inside and I think that is a shame. The need for a show like "Ugly Betty" doesn't speak very highly of our society, but unfortunately, it's true. Linda G is obviously one of those thin people who has no tolerance for people who suffer with weight problems. Be careful who and what you ridicule because the day will come when it will come back to haunt you!

March 03 2007 at 7:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rosie Pearlstein

Delightful show, pleasant and relaxing to watch. Hope it stays around for a long time.

Rosie

March 03 2007 at 4:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Linda G

Ever heard of Overeaters Anonymous?

March 03 2007 at 4:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
al elliott

After reading all the weight comments, I had to go back and read to see what this started with, "the de-uglifing of Betty". This is just a show and like someone said she has to take her braces off sometime and working at Mole she will have to change her appearance at least some or it would not seem realestic. I hope it will not be drastic because the show would have to end to soon. The only part that I hope they don't change is her personality. They did so in the last two shows some and hopefully it won't go any futher. Like Andy and some others said earlier, America Ferrica looked like she was around a size 8, last night when I saw her at an award show look like she has drop to a size 4 or 6, and she has always had beautiful hair, also she is a nice lookly woman. She looked about 5'4" and around 108-110 lbs., which I think looked good on her. Before she seem like 115-118 lbs, and she still looked great. She has always looked like she was portioned just right and everything in the right place. They have always had Betty in oversize clothes to give her the look that they wanted for the show.

I really love that show, and everyone I know does too, and I hope the writers do a good job of keeping the story line going so it will last a long, long time.

Alfie


March 03 2007 at 4:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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