For Marina Smith, a 34-year-old former Miss Bumbum winner from São Paulo, Brazil, the festive season has taken a frosty turn.
Instead of joining friends for holiday cheer, Smith has found herself uninvited to Christmas dinner—a casualty of what she describes as jealousy and insecurity from her peers.
“I’ve been banned from Christmas dinner because the women think I’ll steal their men,” Smith lamented in an interview with NeedToKnow. “They’re worried I might tempt their husbands and boyfriends.”
Smith’s admission highlights a broader societal issue: the paradoxical phenomenon of “pretty privilege.”
While her beauty opens doors, it also creates barriers. “Yes, I’m a beautiful woman,” she acknowledged, “but that is not a reason for anyone to leave me out.”
“Pretty privilege” is a term used to describe the advantages—and disadvantages—that come with being exceptionally attractive. While beauty might grant easier access to opportunities and positive attention, it can also breed resentment and isolation.
Shye Lee, a 29-year-old Florida-based influencer, previously shared her experience with The Post, stating, “People overall treat you much differently, and they don’t judge you for your actions. They judge you just from your appearance.”
Similarly, Sabrina Low, a 23-year-old social media star, revealed she was ousted from a friend’s bridal party due to her striking looks.
“The bride explained that she was worried I might attract too much attention because of my slim frame,” Low said, “and it wouldn’t look good for me to be beside her at the altar all the time.”
For Smith, these experiences resonate deeply. She discovered her exclusion from the Christmas gathering through a friend’s boyfriend, who spilled the details of a WhatsApp group chat she wasn’t included in.
The boyfriend of one of my friends told me that a WhatsApp group had been created,” Smith explained. “And I wasn’t in it. He said that in the group chat, my friends were discussing their concerns about my presence at the dinner.”
Being single has already created challenges for Smith in her social life. “Being single already limits my outings and trips with friends, because they go out with their partners now,” she said. “But now me being single and beautiful is now an insecurity for them!”
Despite the accusations, Smith insists that she’s never crossed any boundaries. “I dress to feel good. The problem isn’t with me,” she stated.
It’s with the men who think I am ‘too beautiful to be real.’ I never made advances toward their partners. I’m a respectful woman, especially toward their relationships. I think it was jealousy on their part.”
Smith’s decision to spend Christmas alone isn’t born of bitterness but rather self-respect. “I used to trust my friends blindly, but apparently, they didn’t trust me,” she said. “It’s a shame because they’re going to lose the best friend they could have had.”
Smith’s story underscores a common yet under-discussed reality for those whose appearance captures attention. While “pretty privilege” might seem like an enviable advantage, it often comes with emotional costs.
Feelings of alienation, jealousy from peers, and even accusations of being a threat to relationships are burdens that many beautiful individuals quietly endure.
Smith’s experience this holiday season may serve as a cautionary tale for the friends who excluded her. Beauty, while a societal obsession, doesn’t negate a person’s humanity or need for genuine connection.
“I hope they don’t change their minds and invite me because the answer is ‘No!’ ” Smith declared. “I intend to confront them and tell them a few truths.”
Rather than causing a pre-Christmas ruckus, Smith has chosen to celebrate solo.
“At this point, I’d rather spend Christmas alone at home,” she said. For now, her focus is on self-reflection and standing firm in her convictions.
The holidays, often a time of togetherness, have instead become an opportunity for Smith to reclaim her dignity.
Her experience serves as a reminder that inclusion and kindness should never hinge on superficial judgments, especially during the season of goodwill and joy.
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