I am rewatching Ugly Betty for the umpteenth time, because it never gets old. As cringey and annoying as some scenes may be in a show that premiered on ABC from September 28, 2006, Ugly Betty will always be one of my favorites. If you haven't watched Ugly Betty, please start now!
Betty, a NYC girl by way of Queens with aspirations of being an editor lands a job at MODE magazine as the assistant to the newly appointed editor-in-chief of Mode Daniel Meade. She was hand picked by Bradford Meade the head of the Meade Publications empire in an attempt to keep his son focused on fulfilling his duties rather than the latest gorgeous assistant. Betty takes us on a journey from mousy assistant who shares a close bond with her family and cultural roots to a bold and confident woman who takes life by the horns to fulfill her dreams in the cut throat world of high fashion. The heavy handed use of satire with a mix of telenovela drama meets Devil Wears Prada gives this show life. It's pure genius and hilarious in a way that tickles me every time I watch. Here are all the reasons why you need to watch or rewatch Ugly Betty.
Hail to the Queen of Mean Wilhelmina Slater
I proudly admit I love a mean girl who is poised and controlled in her demeanor, especially since she is the total opposite to who I am. Opposites do attract when it comes to the shows that I watch and Wilhelmina, played by Vanessa Williams is the real MVP of Ugly Betty. She is a true feminist icon and the antithesis of how women are expected to be. Her methods were unscrupulous and she never spared sympathy, but she had her priorities together when it came to her career ambitions. She never apologized for who she was or what motivated her. Wilhelmina gifted us the template of a villain—an evil genius that you couldn't help but admire. The woman gave us high fashion, she knew how to make an entrance and gave us one liners that will live on forever. Hail to Wilhelmina Slater, the true "Queen of Mean."
Betty Suarez the Champ
The one and only Betty Suarez is a champion and an icon. Hurricane Betty showed up in her "Guadalajara" Poncho on her first day of work unfazed and unbothered by an industry that was overly concerned with beauty standards and fashion. Her quirkiness, charisma, loyalty and quiet intelligence made Betty the kind of person you want as a friend—as in her relationship with Christina—and in a crisis. The ultimate underdog, Betty showed her resilience and strength going up against opponents like Wilhelmina whose nefarious nature knew no bounds. From the very first episode where Daniel tried his best to get Betty to quit, I knew that I wanted to stick with the show to find out what happens. I wanted her to win in life, love and everything she put her heart into. In spite of there being many moments where I thought Betty should have been done with that crazy dynamic at Meade, her story was a lesson on radical self-love. As Betty's style subtly changed, we saw a woman holding onto who she is, but allowing herself the opportunity for growth. I love Betty.
Amanda and Marc's Relationship
"Oh. My. God.' Much like Amanda's exclamation when she first encountered Betty, I am sometimes at such a loss for words with these two. They possessed the most superficial, but yet deeply connected relationship of all the characters. The flamboyant two loved poking fun at Betty. It was their sport of choice, until they realized that Betty brought much more to the table than the two of them combined. In spite of their shortcomings, I loved Amanda and Marc's relationship. They remained supportive of each other and did not allow their very superficial nature to destroy what turned out to be a decent friendship. I wouldn't be able to tolerate Marc and Amanda in real life, but for the purpose of the show, their critical nature and banter reflects what the fashion industry can feel like to every day people who are not consumed by their appearance.
It was progressive
While the series is set in the glamorous world of fashion, it goes beyond surface-level aesthetics. Ugly Betty cleverly critiques the fashion industry’s obsession with beauty standards and conformity. Each episode juxtaposes Betty’s unique style with the high-fashion world around her, emphasizing that true beauty comes from confidence and individuality. This message resonates even more today, as conversations about body positivity and inclusivity continue to grow. It also addressed issues of immigration, familial loss, homosexuality, discrimination in the workplace and single parenthood among other issues. Ugly Betty was in your face about these issues and dealt with it in a manner that highlighted the struggles. Here we are almost two decades later and these issues are still relevant. They were indeed ahead of their time.
Strong Female Relationships
Ugly Betty shines in its portrayal of female friendships. Betty's strongest relationship was with her sister Hilda. The two shared a strong sibling bond that survived the death of their mother, a teenage pregnancy, their father's immigration issues and Hilda's loss of her fiance (Justin's dad). She also found maternal love and compassion in Claire Meade that allowed her to feel like a safe space for Betty. The most unlikely bond was with Wilhelmina Slater, signifying immense growth in Betty, but also shows we have much more in common than we think. When push comes to shove, we all want to be appreciated and respected as was evident in both women—they just chose to go about it in different ways. Betty's relationships with colleague Amanda, showcase a range of dynamics—from rivalry to friendship. These interactions highlight the importance of female support and solidarity, a message that remains vital in today’s world.
Diverse Representation
A standout feature is the show's commitment to diversity. From its predominantly Latino cast to its varied character arcs, Ugly Betty broke new ground in representation. The show explores cultural identity, family dynamics, and the challenges faced by individuals from different backgrounds, enriching the narrative and offering viewers a broader perspective on life. My favorite story line was that of Ignacio Suarez (Papi), Betty's dad who had to navigate the sometimes unfriendly immigration process in the United States of America. It was a story that so many watching could relate to in a way that I have never seen before and haven't seen since then—correct me if I'm wrong. The show captured Ignacio's story in a truly authentic and relatable way.
As a young woman at that time nearing my mid-twenties, living in Brooklyn NY and working in the Financial District (FiDi) of Lower Manhattan for a family in the fashion industry, I was consumed by the show. They were not only the exact opposite of what you would think of people in the fashion industry, but they also resided near the building that was used to depict Meade Publications and the park, City Hall Park, where Betty got caught kissing Henry Grubstick, her ex boyfriend. I became fully invested in the show that I not only saw on television, but saw being shot on the streets on NY. Ugly Betty is a treasure is definitely worth five stars on the rewatch list.
What are your favorite Ugly Betty moments or characters?
Ugly Betty is such a gem! Great article.