In a stunning revelation that challenges Hollywood's beauty standards, Ashton Kutcher has confessed that his chiselled features and all-American good looks nearly prevented him from achieving acting success.
The 46-year-old star, known for his roles in That '70s Show and Two and a Half Men, opened up about the unexpected professional hurdles created by his appearance during a recent interview.
The Role That Almost Got Away
Kutcher disclosed that his breakthrough part as the dim-witted but charming Michael Kelso in That '70s Show almost went to another actor because producers initially deemed him 'too handsome' for the role.
'I walked in and the feedback was, 'He's too good-looking for the part,'' Kutcher recalled, highlighting the irony that his looks nearly cost him the career-launching opportunity.
Fighting Against Type
The actor explained how he had to actively work against his natural appearance to convince casting directors he could portray the goofy, less-intelligent character.
'I had to prove I could be the lovable idiot,' Kutcher said, describing how he deliberately downplayed his intelligence and played up more awkward, clumsy mannerisms during his audition.
The Pretty Boy Problem in Hollywood
Kutcher's experience sheds light on a little-discussed aspect of Hollywood casting: being considered too attractive can be as limiting as not meeting conventional beauty standards.
'There's this perception that if you look a certain way, you can't be funny or can't portray certain types of characters,' he explained, noting how this stereotyping affects many actors in the industry.
Breaking the Mold
Despite these early challenges, Kutcher successfully transformed what could have been a career limitation into a springboard for diverse roles spanning comedy, drama, and even tech entrepreneurship.
His journey serves as a testament to the importance of versatility and persistence in an industry often quick to categorise performers based on their appearance.
