Best In Youth Media: 'Ugly Betty'

Note from Anastasia: “The Best In Youth Media” is another new feature from the Ypulse Youth Advisory board where members will highlight a new online trend, website, teen star, blogger, TV show, etc. that is getting teens’ attention. YAB member Alyx Steadman is kicking off this new feature with a post about “Ugly Betty.” I asked Alyx how he watches the show, and he told me, “I try to watch it on the night it airs, but if not, then I watch it online (even though ABC’s media player is really bad).”

Best In Youth Media: ‘Ugly Betty’

“Ugly Betty,” premiered last Thursday on ABC with a clean slate. Everything is brand new for our favorite fashion-impaired heroine, Betty Suarez. After rejecting two life-changing proposals from her two love interests, Betty is determined to keep her mind on her work so she can climb the corporate ladder to help support her family, as well as pursue her dream of becoming a writer.

“Ugly Betty” is the perfect mix of humor and heart, and makes me realize that image isn’t everything, which is a major reason I love this show. Betty isn’t the toothpick-thin girl celebrated by shows like “90210” and “Gossip Girl.” She’s a real woman with real curves [like most women!], plus she has brains and spunk that make us love her even more. She represents what teenage girls should aspire to be: confident, smart, and happy with themselves and their appearance.

Besides featuring realistic characters in the show, it’s also funny. The most comical moments come from the over-the-top acting that makes fun of our society’s obsession with being rich and famous. Our fixation on appearance is what drives teens to extremes to be “pretty” by Hollywood’s standards.
Overall, “Ugly Betty” is anything but ugly. I love “Ugly Betty” because watching this show makes me feel that even if I’m not born rich or privileged, I can become someone without having to change who I am. Teens need to see positive role models on TV. If nothing else, “Ugly Betty” makes us reflect on our society’s values making us ask: What really matters?

About Alyx Steadman

Alyx Steadman is a freshman in high school in Montana, and loves every minute of it. He loves reading, writing, acting, singing, and being a social butterfly. In the past people have accused him of being a YouTube addict and a pop culture junkie (and sadly Alyx cannot deny these accusations). His love for teen culture has led him to many hours slaving on the computer soaking up every piece of drama Hollywood has to offer.