There had to be something in the creative air in 2006. That year didn’t just see the release of “The Night’s Night” The devil wears Pradabut also ABC’s premiere Ugly Bettyboth centered around a young, intelligent, fashion-challenged woman who follows her journalistic dreams of becoming an assistant at a New York fashion magazine. The similarities extend to the use of KT Tunstall’s catchy song “Suddenly I See”.
but Ugly Bettywhich starred America Ferrera and would run for four seasons, presented a distinctive point of view that was ahead of its time on network television. Executive produced by Salma Hayek, it was arguably the first American series adaptation of a telenovela (Columbia). Yo soi beti, la viaor I’m Betty, ugly). It struck a chord immediately, averaging 14.8 million viewers in its first three weeks, second only in its timeslot Survivor.
Ferrara, who previously starred Real women have curves (2002) and The Brotherhood of the Traveling Pants (2005), also charmed critics THR“If you don’t find yourself cheering for the kind, hardworking, slightly naive but stubborn Betty…then you deserve a high spot on some heart transplant lists,” says a review. Regardless of the name of the show, Ferrera made it clear that she does not view her character as ugly. “It’s really a joke,” she said. THR. “If Betty looked the way she looked and had a ‘woe is me’ attitude, I have to believe people would never want to watch. We cheer her on because she never indulges in self-pity.”
When Ferrera won the 2007 Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series — the first Latina to win the category — director Richard Shepard, who also won for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, was cast. Ugly Betty “It must be so,” he said that night [Ferrera] Or there is no offer, because it is real. Because it’s real, all the absurdity surrounding it makes sense.
This story first appeared in the June standalone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To obtain the magazine, click here to subscribe.
