Ugly Betty (2006)

Ugly Betty is an American television series that originally aired from 2006 to 2010. The show follows the life of Betty Suarez, played by America Ferrera, a bright and determined young woman from Queens who lands a job as an assistant at a fashion magazine called Mode. Despite her lack of fashion sense and physical beauty, Betty is determined to prove herself and make her way in the cutthroat world of fashion.

The show was created by Silvio Horta and based on the Colombian telenovela “Yo soy Betty, la fea” (“I am Betty, the Ugly”), which had previously been adapted in several other countries. Ugly Betty received critical acclaim for its portrayal of diverse characters and for tackling issues such as race, class, and sexuality.

The series also starred Eric Mabius, Vanessa Williams, Michael Urie, Tony Plana, Ana Ortiz, Becki Newton, Mark Indelicato, and Judith Light, among others. Ugly Betty was nominated for numerous awards during its run, including 11 Primetime Emmy Awards, and won several, including two Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy and Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy for Ferrera.

Cast

The main cast of Ugly Betty includes:

• America Ferrera as Betty Suarez
• Eric Mabius as Daniel Meade
• Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater
• Michael Urie as Marc St. James
• Tony Plana as Ignacio Suarez
• Ana Ortiz as Hilda Suarez
• Becki Newton as Amanda Tanen
• Mark Indelicato as Justin Suarez
• Judith Light as Claire Meade

Other recurring cast members include Christopher Gorham as Henry Grubstick, Ashley Jensen as Christina McKinney, Rebecca Romijn as Alexis Meade, and Freddy Rodriguez as Gio Rossi, among others.

Production

Ugly Betty was produced by ABC Studios in association with Silvio Horta’s production company, Silent H Productions, and Ventanarosa Productions, which was founded by Salma Hayek. The series was created by Silvio Horta, who also served as an executive producer along with Hayek, Ben Silverman, Jose Tamez, and Teri Weinberg.

Ugly Betty was based on the Colombian telenovela “Yo soy Betty, la fea” (“I am Betty, the Ugly”), and the rights to the format were acquired by Ben Silverman, who then pitched the idea to ABC. The series was filmed in New York City, primarily at Silvercup Studios in Queens, as well as various locations around the city.

The show’s distinctive visual style, which included colorful, cartoonish graphics and fast-paced editing, was created by director Richard Shepard and his team, and became one of the hallmarks of the show. The series also featured a diverse soundtrack that included both popular and independent music, with many of the songs reflecting the show’s themes of empowerment and self-acceptance.

Reviews

Ugly Betty received critical acclaim during its run, particularly for its portrayal of diverse characters and its exploration of social issues. The show also garnered a dedicated fanbase, who appreciated its heartfelt storytelling and humor.

The show’s first season received a 77/100 on Metacritic, indicating “generally favorable reviews.” Variety praised the show for its “feel-good storytelling” and “top-notch cast,” while The New York Times called it “irresistible” and “empowering.” The show’s second season received even higher praise, with several critics calling it one of the best shows on television at the time.

The show’s later seasons, however, received more mixed reviews, with some critics feeling that the show had lost some of its charm and become too focused on soap opera-style drama. However, the show’s final season was generally well-received, with critics praising its emotional payoff and satisfying conclusion.

Overall, Ugly Betty is widely regarded as a groundbreaking show that tackled important social issues and celebrated diversity, while also providing plenty of laughs and heartwarming moments.

Where are they now?

Here is an update on where some of the main cast members of Ugly Betty are now:

• America Ferrera (Betty Suarez) has continued to act in film and television, and has also become a prominent activist and advocate for social justice. She recently starred in the Netflix series “Gentefied” and in the film “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.”
• Eric Mabius (Daniel Meade) has continued to act in film and television, and has also worked as a producer and director. He recently appeared in the TV series “Resident Alien” and in the film “The Perfect Pickup.”
• Vanessa Williams (Wilhelmina Slater) has continued to act in film, television, and theater, and has also released several albums as a singer. She recently starred in the TV series “Desperate Housewives” and “Daytime Divas,” and in the films “Bad Hair” and “The One and Only Ivan.”
• Michael Urie (Marc St. James) has continued to act in film, television, and theater, and has also worked as a producer and director. He recently appeared in the TV series “Younger” and “The Good Fight,” and in the films “Bros” and “The Hyperions.”
• Ana Ortiz (Hilda Suarez) has continued to act in film and television, and has also worked as a producer. She recently starred in the TV series “Love, Victor” and “Whiskey Cavalier,” and in the films “Big Gold Brick” and “The Bridesmaid.”
• Becki Newton (Amanda Tanen) has continued to act in film and television, and has also worked as a producer. She recently appeared in the TV series “Divorce” and “Tell Me a Story,” and in the film “The Sinner.”
• Mark Indelicato (Justin Suarez) has continued to act in film and television, and has also worked as a musician and fashion blogger. He recently appeared in the TV series “Dead of Summer” and “Madam Secretary.”
• Judith Light (Claire Meade) has continued to act in film, television, and theater, and has also become an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She recently starred in the TV series “Transparent” and “The Politician,” and in the films “The Waverly Gallery” and “The Report.”

Fun facts

Here are some fun facts about Ugly Betty:

1. The show’s creator, Silvio Horta, was inspired to create Ugly Betty after seeing the Colombian telenovela “Yo soy Betty, la fea” while he was on vacation in Miami.
2. The character of Betty Suarez was originally written as a blonde, but America Ferrera convinced the producers to let her keep her natural hair color.
3. The show’s title sequence, which featured animated graphics and a catchy theme song, was designed by legendary graphic designer Kyle Cooper, who also created the iconic title sequence for “Se7en.”
4. In the show’s pilot episode, Betty wears a poncho that becomes a signature look for her character throughout the series. The poncho was actually a last-minute addition to the costume, as the show’s producers felt that Betty’s original outfit wasn’t colorful enough.
5. The show’s cast and crew frequently praised the elaborate sets and costumes used on the show, which helped to create the show’s colorful and visually striking look.
6. The show’s guest stars included several notable actors and celebrities, including Lucy Liu, Salma Hayek, Lindsay Lohan, and Betty White.
7. Ugly Betty was one of the first American television shows to feature a recurring transgender character, played by actress Rebecca Romijn.
8. The show’s theme of empowerment and self-acceptance inspired a generation of viewers, and has been credited with helping to change the way that women and people of color are portrayed on television.

Box office

Trailer