Expert: Kitty Kavey - 4/26/2008

Question
Hi Kitty
Ive been wanting to act for ages and just got into some acting classes. Now, i'm 14 and the only question that pops in my head is, 'Do i have what it takes to become an actress with my looks?' I get so worried and stressed about my looks, it's insane! I think i'm averagly looking. My friends{who are quite pretty} get loads of guys, whilst i get a couple, that's why i think that.
Do you have to be stunning if you want alot of roles? Can an averagly looking person get the same amount of roles as an attractive person? I'm really worried! Please be honest :)

thankyou!

Answer
Even for the most beautiful of people, it can be difficult for them to work as an actor without talent.  That's one reason why many models cannot cross over successfully into acting.

Actors are not hired solely based on what they look like - so it really wouldn't make that much difference if you are beautiful, average, or a character-look.  

Also, looks by themselves are not usually what people respond to - it's having self-confidence that however you look, that's you, you are unique, special, and if you have acting talent you're ahead of many people already.  

To get a lot of roles, or leading roles, you will need to be good at acting.  If you are auditioning for the lead in a film about a teenage runaway, (or something similar) being "stunning" could actually hurt your chances to be taken seriously as an actor.

Of course beauty, or what we might think is the definition of current beauty changes, and it can certainly be said that what one person thinks is beautiful, another does not.

Particularly for film acting, an actor can be make to appear more beautiful with makeup, costuming/wardrobe, etc., and the same goes the other direction too - there are actors who are made to appear less pretty to suit the role.

So, yes - an average looking person can easily get the same amount of roles as an attractive person, as the bottom line is talent.  You can be the best looking person in the world, but without acting skills, acting is unlikely to work out for them as a profession.

Good luck to you,
~Kitty