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Ugly Betty: Fashion's unlikely hit ahead of its time
16 Jun
Summary
- Ugly Betty premiered in 2006, mirroring The Devil Wears Prada.
- America Ferrera became the first Latina to win an Emmy for comedy lead.
- The show was an adaptation of a Colombian telenovela, achieving high viewership.
In 2006, ABC launched Ugly Betty, a series that, like The Devil Wears Prada released the same year, focused on a young woman pursuing fashion journalism.
Executive produced by Salma Hayek, Ugly Betty was notably one of the first U.S. series adapted from a telenovela, specifically Colombia's Yo Soy Betty, La Fea. The show resonated strongly, drawing an average of 14.8 million viewers in its initial weeks.
America Ferrera's portrayal of Betty was praised by critics for its authenticity and tenacity. Ferrera herself noted that the character's perceived 'ugliness' was a narrative device, emphasizing Betty's resilience rather than self-pity.
Ferrera's win for lead actress in a comedy series at the 2007 Emmy Awards marked a historic moment as the first Latina to achieve this honor. Director Richard Shepard highlighted Ferrera's realistic performance as integral to the show's success.
