Episode Summary: "Should We Take Ugly Women Seriously?"
Introduction
In the June 30, 2025 episode of The Review of Mess, hosts Jessica DeFino and Emily Kirkpatrick delve into the intricate intersections of beauty standards, celebrity culture, and societal perceptions of attractiveness. Titled "Should We Take Ugly Women Seriously?", the episode challenges entrenched notions about beauty and credibility, particularly focusing on how appearance influences the reception of women's opinions in the realms of fashion and beauty.
1. Renaming and Evolution of Their Newsletters [00:16 - 03:04]
Jessica and Emily kick off the episode by discussing the impending rebranding of their respective newsletters. Jessica’s newsletter, formerly known as The Review of Beauty, is set to be renamed to Flesh World. She shares the inspiration behind the new name, emphasizing a shift towards a more authentic and aligned representation of her content. Emily remains steadfast with her newsletter, I <3 Mess, highlighting her commitment to straightforwardly critiquing celebrity fashion.
Notable Quote:
- Jessica: “I do think [Flesh World] is the most accurate, tonally, of all of the many newsletter names I've had so far. I think this one feels the most aligned.” [01:25]
2. Launching Their Book Club [02:53 - 05:13]
The hosts announce their upcoming book club aimed at exploring art and literary theory applied to fashion and beauty. They express excitement about fostering deeper, more critical discussions and invite listeners to suggest names for the club. Jessica mentions their initial readings, including Ways of Seeing, which has significantly influenced their analytical approaches.
Notable Quote:
- Emily: “We have something about discussing it with others that adds to the experience.” [02:35]
3. Critique of Ryan Murphy’s American Love Story [05:13 - 13:11]
Jessica and Emily express their discontent with Ryan Murphy’s American Love Story, specifically its portrayal of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. They critique the fashion accuracy, noting discrepancies in details such as the size and state of the iconic Birkin bag, hair color accuracy, and overall outfit quality. The hosts argue that the show fails to capture the essence and legacy of Kennedy, likening it to previous Lifetime movies that missed the mark in celebrity portrayals.
Notable Quotes:
- Jessica: “It's the Lifetime movie version of the Bessette Kennedy.” [06:27]
- Emily: “It looks very like a mall in 2025 instead of the 90s.” [07:56]
- Jessica: “It's very Cronenberg. It's very substance.” [01:36]
4. The Temporary Tattoo Boom vs. Permanent Body Modifications [26:37 - 37:28]
The conversation shifts to the rise of temporary tattoos and their juxtaposition with permanent, often painful aesthetic treatments like facelifts and nose jobs. Jessica ponders the cultural implications, suggesting that tattoos and piercings have historically signified subcultural identities and political statements. Emily counters by discussing the commodification of body modifications and questions why temporary expressions gain popularity while permanent alterations remain stigmatized.
Notable Quotes:
- Jessica: “These are like very, like, radicals’ permanent aesthetic treatments are being defanged in these temporary ways.” [28:24]
- Emily: “It's like identity building for sure.” [30:45]
5. Kylie Jenner’s Cosmetic Surgery Transparency [37:33 - 55:43]
A significant portion of the episode critiques Kylie Jenner’s recent transparency about her cosmetic surgeries. Jessica and Emily dissect Kylie’s public disclosures, questioning the feminist undertones touted by some as empowerment. They argue that such transparency inadvertently promotes cosmetic procedures as accessible solutions, thereby reinforcing harmful beauty standards rather than challenging them. The hosts also contrast Kylie’s approach with Kris Jenner’s more reserved admissions, highlighting inconsistencies within celebrity disclosures.
Notable Quotes:
- Emily: “She keeps saying, we have to be honest about the work you're getting done.” [51:18]
- Jessica: “But it compounds the issue that beauty standards are so intense.” [55:32]
- Emily: “It's not very feminist of you to.” [100:59]
6. Instagram Virality and Appearance-Based Criticism [78:58 - 89:35]
Emily shares her recent experience with Instagram virality, where her newsletter’s Instagram account, Mess Worldwide, quickly amassed 30,000 followers after a video went viral. She discusses the ensuing barrage of appearance-based critiques, emphasizing the flawed notion that one's looks determine the validity of their opinions on beauty and fashion. Jessica relates by sharing her own struggles with being perceived based on her appearance, reinforcing the episode's central theme of appearance influencing credibility.
Notable Quotes:
- Emily: “These are headshots. So it's like truly from my bust upwards.” [84:21]
- Jessica: “I'm too ugly to be taken seriously on the topic of beauty.” [82:23]
- Emily: “I'm telling you guys, these are headshots.” [84:21]
7. Mess of the Month: Tom Brady’s No Show Socks and Overwhelming Perfume Scents [94:10 - 101:30]
Concluding the episode, Jessica and Emily introduce their "Mess of the Month." Emily highlights Tom Brady’s no show socks as a humorous fashion misstep, while Jessica laments the overpowering scents emanating from perfume stores, particularly in urban settings like New York City. They reflect on how such fashion choices and industry practices disrupt personal comfort and societal norms.
Notable Quotes:
- Emily: “My mess of the month is Tom Brady's no show socks.” [94:10]
- Jessica: “I feel like it's morally wrong.” [100:57]
- Emily: “I love seeing his little tootsies peeking out from the bottom.” [102:04]
Insights and Conclusions
Throughout the episode, Jessica and Emily advocate for a critical examination of beauty standards and encourage listeners to question the pervasive influence of celebrity culture on personal identity and societal norms. They highlight the problematic nature of equating appearance with credibility, especially for women, and call for a more inclusive and less superficial discourse in beauty and fashion industries. The hosts also emphasize the importance of recognizing how individual choices are often shaped by broader cultural pressures, urging a collective reevaluation of what constitutes beauty and worth.
Key Takeaways:
- Appearance Shouldn't Dictate Credibility: The episode underscores the flawed logic of valuing women's opinions based on their looks, advocating for recognition of expertise irrespective of appearance.
- Critique of Celebrity Influence: Jessica and Emily critically analyze how celebrities like Ryan Murphy and Kylie Jenner perpetuate or challenge harmful beauty standards through their public personas and media representations.
- Temporary vs. Permanent Modifications: The discussion highlights the cultural significance of body modifications and the implications of their temporary versus permanent nature in shaping identity.
- Social Media’s Role: The hosts explore the impact of social media virality on personal and professional perceptions, particularly how appearance-based critiques can undermine valuable discourse.
Notable Quotes Summary:
- “I do think [Flesh World] is the most accurate... It feels the most aligned.” – Jessica [01:25]
- “We have something about discussing it with others that adds to the experience.” – Emily [02:35]
- “It's the Lifetime movie version of the Bessette Kennedy.” – Jessica [06:27]
- “These are like identity building for sure.” – Emily [30:45]
- “I support the feminist movement. Not every action I take is explicitly for the good of the feminist movement.” – Jessica [55:32]
- “I'm too ugly to talk about it anyway, so what do I know?” – Emily [86:05]
Conclusion
"Should We Take Ugly Women Seriously?" challenges listeners to reconsider the biases ingrained in beauty and fashion discourses. By dissecting celebrity portrayals, industry trends, and societal expectations, Jessica DeFino and Emily Kirkpatrick encourage a more nuanced and equitable approach to how we perceive and value women's voices in pop culture.