The political power of a ‘pretty woman’

Bland style still often overshadows interesting substance

   In iconic movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Marilyn Monroe declared “Don't you know that a man being rich is like a girl being pretty? You wouldn't marry a girl just because she's pretty, but my goodness, doesn't it help?” It would take a huge amount of either optimism or naivety to think that being superficially attractive in appearance doesn’t greatly help one’s chances of success, even in the geeky world of politics. In an excellent article for Unherd, Kat Rosenfield expertly exposes the idiocy behind a modern branch of feminism that now claims ‘being hot’ is a state of mind. https://unherd.com/2022/07/the-problem-with-being-hot/ I would add that the ‘body confidence’ movement is also part of this. That includes slogans such as ‘beauty isn’t a size’ and using ‘curvy’ where obese would be more appropriate. Rosenfield says that ‘No matter how we torture our language and ourselves, human beings still notice and appreciate the beautiful things, and people, among them. It will never be otherwise, and do we really want that? Wouldn’t it be better to just appreciate what is beautiful, while striving for what is fair?’ Clearly the call to fairness is vital here. After all most would accept that a person’s fundamental value isn’t dependent on their physical attributes. However, not only is that acceptance often theoretical rather than lived out but ‘attractiveness’ is also a moveable feast. Are the countless reality TV shows and Instagram influencers really our gold standard of beauty now? Furthermore does the popularity of a bland, ‘plastic fantastic’ type of attractiveness extend even into the dusty corridors of Westminster?

   Penny Mordaunt did of course appear on a reality show and even spent most of her time in a swimsuit. However it took another four years for her to go from belly flopping on TV to ‘Penny mania’ as she vied to be Prime Minister. What’s not to like in a pretty faced woman with big bouncy blonde hair and voluptuous attributes standing clad in naval uniform in front of a Union Jack? The problem has nothing whatsoever to do with her appearance but with the insane cultish following it undoubtedly contributed to. This following was totally out of proportion to the lovely but basically bland object of adoration. Then there is the small matter of Mordaunt’s lies, questions around her professional competency and the lack of a policy platform being overshadowed by her apparently ‘looking the part.’  I lost count of how many popular radio show hosts and journalists talked of Penny ‘looking the part’! ‘She’ll appeal to voters’, was another favourite phrase which was never backed up by referring to her policies or her track record. It really did feel like she was just the perfect poster girl to crush on. Mike Graham of Talk Radio was openly smitten saying ‘I’d rather look at her than any of the others.’ Even Allison Pearson of the Telegraph admitted she supported Penny largely because she ‘had a smile that could light up the room.’ On the other hand there have been numerous conversations amongst so called serious journalists and commentators about Liz Truss’s appearance, none of them flattering. Of course even her supporters and Liz herself admit that being a good media performer isn’t her forte. But is it really appropriate or relevant for Andrew ‘punish the unvaccinated’ Pierce to debate her ‘awful makeup’ and ‘terrible dress sense’ with another male commentator on GB News? When it comes to Rishi Sunak looking good and being a sharp dresser are widely portrayed as being ‘too slick’ and showing off his wealth. Even Boris’s charms were not due to any devilish good looks but rather almost the opposite - a scruffy, podgy appearance combined with a carefully honed hapless but witty persona. Perhaps Marilyn Monroe’s dry quip is still true today, I.e. being pretty is very helpful for girls but not necessarily for boys.

   When I think back to the beauty idols of my 90s youth, I remember a glorious mix of the unique. Yes there was plastic Pamela Anderson but there was also stunningly different looking Kate Moss, the face of Cool Britannia. Even those first ever supermodels, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer and Cindy Crawford had quirks in their beauty that made them interesting. These days I lose track of actresses, models and reality stars because they all look the same to me. It’s the same veneered teeth, filler enhanced lips and cheeks, botoxed face, hair extensions and tattooed eyebrows. And even many who don’t have ‘work done’ still aim for the same bland look that sadly indicates blandness beneath. The candidates for once interesting TV show The Apprentice now look like they could be on Love Island and are clearly taking part to also boost their social media following.

   Ideas of beauty have undoubtedly changed throughout the ages. Just compare the beauties in a Rubens masterpiece to the flat chested, boyish figures of the 1920s starlets. But across time seeing a noble and interesting soul shine through a face has always bestowed a certain beauty. Likewise the absence of that illuminating quality can rob a pretty face of its charm. However I fear that this perspective is no longer widely held today. Kemi Badenoch truly did light up the stage in the TV debates with her refreshing honesty and true Conservative values. However her smile and lovely bright yellow dress weren’t the subject of articles the next day and her physical attractiveness was never used as a selling point. But then she isn’t bland, conforming or predictable.

  I believe there is comfort and safety in worshiping blandness, both that outside and within. It gives us clear rules and standards to adhere to and aim for. It removes the heavy burden of having to think too hard, look beneath the surface and question. It binds us together in the unity of another bandwagon. Now what does that remind you of . . .