From 2006 to 2010, Ugly Betty became a beloved cult favorite. WithAmerica Ferrera in the leading role, the series followed aspiring writer Betty Suarez (Ferrera) as she gets hired to be an assistant to fashion magazine Mode’s editor-in-chief, Daniel (Eric Mabius). Given Betty’s looks and head-scratching sense of style, the hire is far from the norm, but that’s exactly what made the show comedy gold. But while Ugly Betty garnered a loving fandom over the years, seen in its impressive 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, viewers might not know that the series is actually based on the must-see Colombian telenovela, Yo soy Betty, la fea.
‘Yo soy Betty, la fea’ Was a History-Making Telenovela
Created by Fernando Gaitán, Yo soy Betty, la fea follows, unsurprisingly, a similar storyline to Ugly Betty. The show, which aired 335 episodes between October 25, 1999, and May 8, 2001, follows the life of Beatriz “Betty” Pinzón (Ana María Orozco) as she’s hired by the fictional cutthroat fashion company EcoModa. Much like Ferrera’s Betty, Pinzón’s is similarly out of place, but this time in a moreclassic telenovela setting with excessive melodrama, serialized storylines, and intense emotional stakes. Alongside Orozco, the series stars a talented ensemble cast, including Jorge Enrique Abello, Natalia Ramírez, Lorna Cepeda, Luis Mesa, and Julián Arango.
After becoming a sensation in Colombia, Yo soy Betty, la fea went on to make TV history. The series spawned several remakes in multiple countries, including Ugly Betty in the US, making it the first telenovela ever to have been remade worldwide. In addition to the remakes, the series also generated three sequels: Ecomoda, Betty Toons, and Betty la Fea: The Story Continues.
‘Yo soy Betty, la fea’ Is a Must-Watch, Even For ‘Ugly Betty’ Fans
While Ugly Betty is certainly based on Yo soy Betty, la fea, both shows are distinct enough that they’re both must-watches, even for longtime fans of Ugly Betty. First off, while Ugly Betty thrives as a campy comedy with few dramatic moments, Yo soy Betty, la fea is the opposite; it’s a melodrama with comedic moments spread throughout. The same goes for the shows’ differing settings. While Ugly Betty takes place in New York City and approaches cultural issues significant to the American audience like immigration, assimilation, body image and queer identity, Yo soy Betty, la fea reflectsColombian issues and realities, including economic inequality and unrealistic beauty norms.
Plus, while the central premise of the shows is the same, the individual episodes themselves differ. In Yo soy Betty, la fea, for instance, the romance between Betty and her boss Armando Mendoza (Abello) becomes the heart of the show, whereas Ugly Betty, despite certainly having romantic plots, is all about Betty’s own self-discovery and emotional journey. Therefore, while it may seem redundant to watch Yo soy Betty, la fea after watching Ugly Betty, the shows’ different moods, contexts and storylines prove that they’re two distinct yet bingeworthy shows.
With that said, while Ugly Betty remains one of ABC’s most beloved yet underrated cult favorites over the years, the telenovela that inspired it is certainly also worth watching. Yo soy Betty, la fea is a quintessential telenovela filled with melodramatic moments, emotional transformations and, of course, unexpected twists and betrayals. The series is gripping, funny, and so entertaining that it went on to inspire countless other shows and spinoffs. With such a history-making track record, watching the original is almost a must.
- Release Date
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1999 – 2001-00-00
- Network
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RCN
Cast
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Ana María Orozco
Beatriz Pinzon
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Jorge Enrique Abello
Don Armando
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Natalia Ramírez
Marcela Valencia
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Luis Mesa
Daniel Valencia
