Psychologists reveal pretty privilege does have its downsides (2024)

'Pretty privilege' is a phenomenon that's made headlines recently after two women sparked fierce debate when they spoke out about the downsides of being beautiful.

Earlier this month Manhattan-basedmotivational speaker Brenttany Sharraine recentlydetailed her experiences in a viral TikTok, stating that women disliked her, while men used her as a trophy object.

WhileCalifornian model Emily Adonna also sparkeda debate on social media, saying that people haven't taken her seriously in the past because of her beauty and she has also lost jobs because others believed she was 'too young and beautiful,' and thought she would 'be distracting for other people in the industry.'

But what is 'pretty privilege'? And does it put attractive people at a disadvantage?

FEMAIL turned to two psychologists to weigh in on the matter.

New York-based psychologist Kristen Roman told DailyMail.com 'pretty privilegerefers to the idea that people who are more physically attractive are automatically perceived positively in other ways, referred to as a "halo effect."'

'This means that physically attractive people might be assumed to be smarter, more competent, and more likeable, and this can be associated with being treated better,' Roman says.

'There is evidence that this affects advancement in the workplace, including being more likely to get promoted or make more money.

'Given that our physical appearance is one of the first things people experience when we meet them, it makes sense that it has a strong impact on others' perception of us, especially early on.'

New York-basedDrClaudia Diez PhDsaid while being attractive can have its benefits, it can also have a number of downsides.

Diez told DailyMail.com that the phenomenon can have a major impact on individuals.

Some of the repercussions can leave people 'feeling overwhelmed by excessive attention', 'noticing the envy of others' and 'even fearing that the people who envied them would want to hurt them.'

'The most beautiful individuals often come to feel that they must do some hiding in order to feel safe and find some privacy. They also often feel they're the target of criticism and derision,' Diez said.

As for Brenttany and Emily's claims, Dr Diezagrees with them.

'Yes, beauty can in fact cause envy and rivalry in insecure or immature women who will feel inferior or disadvantaged next to them,' the psychologist said.

To avoid being targeted by jealous people, Diez says it is important for attractive individuals to 'learn to quickly identify and get rid of those "friends" who behave very competitively and may have negative intentions toward them'.

The good news for attractive people like Brenttany and Emily, Dr Diez says, is that it is possible to find those who respond in a 'healthy manner' to their differences, so therefore it's important to 'choose your friends carefully!'

There were also women who feared their relationships would purely be based on sex and eroticism because their partners wouldn't see past their looks and dig for anything deeper than that.

Indeed, model Emily says she has experienced this, revealing in one TikTok: 'It's the idea that because I'm present and I'm pretty, there is a sense of entitlement to that space, or that I'm automatically associated with something sexual - that's the part I don't like.'

She adds:'People do not ask before touching me in public, I am grabbed regularly, I've been assaulted by a stranger.'

Diez explains when this type of looks-based anxiety isn't treatedit can lead to 'isolation and depression, as well as some narcissistic traits with the attractive person thinking 'everybody wants a piece of me, therefore I am superior.'

For attractive people who are worried about alienating others, Dr Diez says it is important to 'create real value within yourself' instead of basing everything on one's looks.

'Be modest in your self-valuation - which is not about being submissive or appeasing others. This is not about devaluing yourself, but about finding and creating real value within yourself,' she said.

'You will want to tune-down any grandiosity or superiority that you may experience because of your beauty; because physical appearance makes you a fortunate gal or guy, but not a better person.

'Avoid making a life around your physical appearance; look up, choose values and goals of humane interest to avoid the toxicity of living a shallow life based on skin level.'

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