The internet is a weird place, especially when a music video is so iconic that people start convinced it’s actually a feature-length movie. Honestly, if you’re looking for the cast of Pretty Hurts film, you’ve likely run into a massive wall of digital confusion. Most people aren't actually looking for a 90-minute cinema release because, strictly speaking, Pretty Hurts isn't a traditional movie. It is a high-concept, narrative-driven music video directed by Melina Matsoukas for Beyoncé’s 2013 self-titled visual album.
It feels like a movie. It has the emotional weight of a movie. But the "cast" is a specific group of actors and models curated to dismantle the toxic pageant industry.
The confusion often stems from the fact that Beyoncé’s visual albums are frequently referred to as "musical films." When this video dropped, it wasn't just a clip on MTV; it was a cultural reset that used real acting talent to bridge the gap between pop music and social commentary. If you’ve been scouring IMDb and coming up short, it’s because the project lives in that blurry space between a short film and a music video. Let's get into who actually appeared on screen and why their presence mattered so much for this specific story.
The Central Figure: Beyoncé as "Miss Third Ward"
You can't talk about the cast of Pretty Hurts film without starting at the top. Beyoncé doesn't just sing in this; she turns in a legitimate acting performance as a pageant contestant named Miss Third Ward. This wasn't a random choice. Third Ward is the area of Houston, Texas, where she actually grew up.
By using that name, she blurred the lines between her global superstar persona and her real-life history with talent shows. The performance is grueling to watch. We see her character obsessively exercising, being judged by a panel of cold experts, and eventually breaking down in a room full of trophies. It’s a meta-commentary on her own career.
Most people forget that the video features a very young Beyoncé in archival footage at the beginning. That’s not an actor; that’s the real deal. It sets the stakes immediately. This isn't just a role for her. It’s a reflection on the "perfection" she was forced to chase since she was a child in Girls Tyme.
The Supporting Players: Who Actually Surrounded Her?
The casting for the other contestants was intentional. Matsoukas didn't just want "pretty girls." She wanted women who could portray the quiet desperation of the pageant circuit.
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Zuleyka Rivera is the name most people are looking for when they search for the cast of Pretty Hurts film.
Rivera isn't just an actress; she was Miss Universe 2006. Her inclusion brought a searing level of authenticity to the project. When you see her on screen, she isn't "playing" a pageant queen—she is one of the most successful women in that world. Her presence acts as a foil to Beyoncé’s character. While Miss Third Ward is falling apart, Rivera’s character represents the polished, almost robotic standard that everyone else is dying to reach. It’s a brilliant bit of casting because it forces the audience to realize that the "villain" isn't a person, but the standard itself.
The Judges and the Antagonists
The "judges" in the film are played by character actors whose names often get lost in the credits, but their faces are unmistakable. They represent the male gaze and the corporate side of beauty.
One of the most striking scenes involves a plastic surgeon. This role was played by an actual professional, adding to the "hyper-real" aesthetic Matsoukas was going for. When he marks up Beyoncé’s face with a pen, he isn't just a background extra; he is the personification of the "pretty hurts" theme. The clinical coldness of that scene is what makes the "film" feel so visceral.
- The Coach: Often overlooked, the woman playing the pageant coach/handler provides the terrifying pressure that drives the plot.
- The Contestants: Many of the women in the background were professional models and aspiring actresses from the New York and LA circuits.
- The Host: A classic "pageant host" archetype who delivers the final blow when he asks the "What is your aspiration in life?" question.
Why This Specific Cast Matters for E-E-A-T and Realism
If this had been cast with just random extras, the message would have fallen flat. The reason this project ranks so highly in the minds of film students and music fans is the lived experience of the people on screen.
Think about it. You have a director like Melina Matsoukas, who later went on to direct Queen & Slim. She treats the cast of Pretty Hurts film like a dramatic ensemble. The wardrobe, the makeup (or lack thereof in the breakdown scenes), and the physical acting required a level of vulnerability that most music videos just don't ask for.
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There’s a specific nuance in how the cast interacts. Look at the scene in the locker room. It’s not a bunch of girls being "catty" in a stereotypical way. It’s a group of people who are all suffering under the same system. They are competitors, yes, but they are also victims. That subtle acting is why people keep searching for this as a "film" years after its release.
The Director’s Vision: Melina Matsoukas
You can’t understand the cast without understanding who was pulling the strings. Matsoukas is known for a very specific, gritty, but beautiful visual style. She pushed the cast to go to dark places.
During the filming, which reportedly took place over two days at a real high school in Harlem, the atmosphere was kept intense. The "cast of Pretty Hurts film" had to endure long hours in uncomfortable pageant wear to truly capture that sense of fatigue. Beyoncé herself reportedly stayed in character for much of the shoot, maintaining the frantic, high-anxiety energy of Miss Third Ward.
Common Misconceptions About the Cast
Let’s clear some things up.
People often think there are cameos from other Destiny’s Child members. There aren't. This was a solo journey. Some blogs have also falsely claimed that certain high-profile actresses were in the background—usually confusing this video with the "Bad Blood" or "S&M" videos of that era.
Another big one: No, the plastic surgeon in the video is not a world-famous celebrity doctor. He was cast to look the part perfectly, creating a sense of "everyman" clinical detachment.
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The most important thing to realize is that the "cast" also includes the archival footage. The young girls we see on old VHS tapes are essential "actors" in the narrative arc. They represent the innocence that the adult characters have lost.
Actionable Takeaways for Film and Visual Fans
If you’re studying the cast of Pretty Hurts film for a project or just because you’re a superfan, here is how you should actually categorize this work:
- View it as a Short Film: Treat the credits like you would a SAG-AFTRA short. The lead is Beyoncé, the primary antagonist is Zuleyka Rivera, and the supporting cast is a mix of New York-based models.
- Look at the Credits of "Beyoncé (Visual Album)": Since this was part of a larger project, the official credits are often grouped. You’ll find the technical crew—cinematographers and stylists—who are just as responsible for the "characters" as the actors are.
- Analyze the "Performance Art" Aspect: This isn't just acting; it's a commentary on celebrity. The "cast" is playing versions of themselves.
The legacy of this cast isn't found in a box office number. It's found in the way it changed how we look at beauty standards. When Zuleyka Rivera walks across that stage, she isn't just a cast member; she's a symbol of an entire industry. That’s the power of good casting.
To truly appreciate what this ensemble did, go back and watch the "behind the scenes" footage specifically focused on the pageant prep. You'll see the actors practicing their walks and their "pageant smiles." It reveals the immense amount of work that went into making a five-minute video feel like a cinematic masterpiece.
Check the official production notes from Parkwood Entertainment if you need the deep-dive technical credits. They are the only verified source for the full list of background talent and production designers who built the world Miss Third Ward lived in.
Next Steps for Research
To get the most out of your look into this production, follow these steps:
- Search for Melina Matsoukas' interviews from late 2013 and early 2014. She explicitly discusses the casting process and why she chose real pageant winners for certain roles.
- Verify the filming location. Knowing it was shot in Harlem helps contextualize the "local pageant" feel that the cast had to embody.
- Compare the cast of "Pretty Hurts" to "Ghost" or "Mine." These were other films in the same visual album. You’ll notice a recurring theme of using "real" people versus "Hollywood" actors to maintain a sense of groundedness.
The "Pretty Hurts" ensemble remains one of the most effective examples of using "real-world" figures to tell a fictionalized but truthful story. It’s why we’re still talking about it over a decade later.