I’m discriminated against because I’m too good looking.
You on the other hand, you have it easy
because you’re plain and average.
Being good looking is a total privilege
that opens doors for you without you even having to do anything,
and the fact that you can’t see that is really quite sad.
You’re lucky, okay. See that!
I’m joined by GORJUS Activist Adam Sooner,
who claims he’s discriminated against for being too good looking,
and Amy Mallett, author of
the book The Beauty Privilege,
who believes beautiful people get further in
life just because of their looks.
So Adam, last year a clip of you went viral having a heated exchange with your boss,
who you claim sacked you because
you’re too good looking.
Yes it’s true!
- It's not true! Yes it’s true! You are jealous of me!
Yes it’s true! You are jealous of me!
You are crazy.
No I’m not I’m beautiful!
No you’re crazy.
You fired me because I’m too good looking.
I did not, get out.
How does being good looking affect you?
Thank you. In every way possible, from my work to my love life.
Every relationship I’ve ever had,
they’ve broken up with me because I’m too gorgeous.
And they tell you that?
No, it’s never the reason they give.
They just sort of say that I’m lazy, or a liar,
or my small penis.
But I read between the lines, okay,
we both know the problem. They’ve struggled to overcome my beauty.
Being attractive is something that I’ve had to deal with my whole life.
Respectfully Adam, I understand that that is your lived experience
but I have to disagree with you.
You know much of the research that we’ve done on Beauty Privilege
shows that those people who are considered more attractive or good looking
are much more likely to get ahead in job interviews.
They get the top jobs, they’re more successful.
- No, no They get the top jobs, they’re more successful.
- Whereas those that are, yes, those that are deemed less attractive
are often overlooked for a promotion, say.
Okay, that’s very interesting,
But how about this: why was I fired then?
Weren’t you accused of stealing?
Yeah.
And what a surprise: the only gorgeous person in the entire company
is sacked for stealing. It’s a story as old as time.
Sorry, it sounds like your sacking had a lot less to do with your looks than you think.
Said every 5 out of 10 ever. Thank you very much.
Okay, so what would you like to be doing that you don’t feel you can do?
Thank you. I’m just sick of being defined by my beauty, okay?
Being told that the only job I’m good for is, like, an Elite Model.
What about if I want to be a doctor or an Elon Musk?
Why are those things cut off from me?
Have you ever tried to become a doctor Adam?
I can’t!
- Why?
Because I would put patients and families off with my looks.
I wouldn’t be taken seriously.
- I wonder why. I wouldn’t be taken seriously.
You think you’re very clever with your book Amy,
but the truth is you can spend your whole life going unnoticed.
Using your blandness to get ahead.
Me on the other hand, it’s a very lonely place.
That’s a table for one.
No one wants to stand next to a peacock and look like a chicken.
You’re clucking.
Adam can you tell us a bit about your campaigning?
So last year I set up GORJUS,
and it’s a shelter for very good looking people who are struggling.
We are a group of people that want to integrate with society.
That’s why one of the things we’re doing is setting up
Good Looking Pride.
You’re going to have a Pride for being – for good looking people?
Yes, exactly.
You basically just want to parade yourself in front of other people, don’t you?
- It's the same as Gay Pride? - So how would they be supporting you Adam?
- Non gay people go to Gay - So how would they be supporting you Adam?
Pride, so non good looking can come to Good Looking Pride
They might have to be in cages but they can be there.
Wow..
In cages? So they wouldn't..
We need to make sure that it’s very clear who are the people that are suffering
You’d be on a float, and they’d be in cages? Is that…?
It’s just an idea!
It’s offensive, it’s derogatory, to anybody that you
personally don’t deem to be ‘attractive’.
Yeah let me tell you something,
your cage is going to be soundproof.
Jazz, I’m sorry, I really don’t know if I can be part of this conversation any more.
Well you’re not going to be part of the group, I can tell you that.
Well, I’d like to thank you both for your time today,
some real food for thought there.
Thank you so much, and we’ll see you next time
on The Deb@it.