Meagan is beautiful by any standard. She’s appeared on countless magazine covers, been the love interest in music videos, and had images of herself taped to the bedroom walls and lockers of women and men around the world.
Which is why during a recent episode of the Tea Time w/ Raven-Symoné and Miranda podcast (hosted by Raven-Symoné and her wife Miranda Maday), the hosts chatted with Meagan about her relationship with “pretty privilege.” For context, “pretty privilege” is defined as economic, social, or political advantages one might experience because they’re conventionally attractive.
Miranda kicked off the topic by asking Meagan, “What is your experience being as pretty as you are in this world?” Raven expounded upon the question adding, “Do you think it hindered you from taking roles that you wanted or that you thought you were right for?”
She said she recognized when her appearance didn’t work in her favor when it came to landing certain roles, based on preconceived notions decided by casting directors during and after auditions.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked into something and I had an audition, and they were like, ‘She was great, but we just don’t realistically believe her as this character because she’s a pretty girl,” Meagan said.
“I’m like, how can you determine what that character should look like or even what I will look like?”
The Divorce in the Black star confessed that her talent is also ignored when it comes to the male lead in the project if he’s already been cast.
“We’ve already hired the lead guy, and we don’t buy that he could get her,” Meagan said about being overlooked for roles because the male lead wasn’t seen as equally attractive as her. “That’s doing the character a disservice because that means you’re saying that she’s only about the look.”
“I’ve always known that I want to be an actress and I want to have incredible opportunities. I want to make things that are just good for my quality of life that hopefully inspire people and make people feel good, but I know more than that I want to be a good person. I want to use that platform to put good things into the world. I want to be an advocate for women. I want to help younger women to not have to work as hard as we did — the same that those who came before us have.”
Although fame isn’t something Meagan was chasing after, she knows it comes with the territory when working in Hollywood. Despite some of its downsides, she acknowledged that having “pretty privilege” does have its perks at times.
“I know that what I want to put in the world has never been about being famous, and also, I don’t have a desire to be famous. I don’t mind getting through the airport quicker — I will say that [laughs]. I don’t mind the perks, but as many perks come with it, come other things as well.”