What draws together a physician, an exotic dancer, a pageant queen, a legal assistant, an entrepreneur, and a musician who used to work with Prince? They have all been called "beautiful." But what does beauty mean to them? Surprising stories emerge as they talk about childhood, careers, relationships, and life happiness. Their experiences depend on their outlook on beauty. Joan the musician is a black woman who was adopted because she had "light skin and good hair." The rest of her life revolves dangerously around her looks, a fleeting asset. Terror strikes when she gains a dramatic amount of weight. Evonne's father called her "stupid," so she eventually became an exotic dancer because she believed him. Now in her thirties and still single, she wonders what the rest of her life will bring her. Not all have tragic lives. Sandra the physician learned to value her inner qualities. So did Stephanie the beauty queen, Gasby the regal entrepreneur, and legal assistant Sarah, who rarely wears any makeup. Danielle, a lesbian student in a wheelchair, thinks she's "just another person walking around." Kathie, Mrs. Missouri 1996, says she doesn't take her looks seriously, but feels beautiful only with her makeup on. Although their experiences vary, common themes such as preferential treatment, jealousy, stereotyping, objectification, and other curses become apparent.
—Erica Ginsburg, Adele Schmidt, Liza Figueroa Kravinsky