History Main / SuccessThroughSexAccusation

* ''Webcomic/SomethingPositive'': An ugly old coworker of Monette's spitefully tells her "all that lying on your back must be great for your posture", Monette jabs right back explaining that since said coworker's approach gave her bad breath and gangly knees she'd try a different one.

Success often breeds resentment, with one popular form of resentment being accusations of foul play. One byfion that some people like to make is that a person's success came from seducing people.

* ''WebAnimation/TroubleBusters'': [[https://youtu.be/C8Z1Lcd0koY?feature=shared Ian]] is an [[SmallNameBigEgo arrogant]] [[StrawMisogynist misogynist]] who's [[OffendedByAnInferiorsSuccess offended that Hilary, a woman, is a member of the production team]] while he's only a member of the debugging team. He claims that Hiliary's better position is because she seduced one of the higher-ups. Ian has the audacity to state to Hiliary (who's [[CaughtOnTape secretly recording him]]) that the boss is an idiot who only hired Hilary for being a young woman and that he's too stupid to recognize Ian's talents.

Compare SlutShaming. Overlaps with MaliciousSlander if someone is trying to ruin someone's reputation via this, SextraCredit if someone claims that someone got high grades via sex, CastingCouch if someone accuses an actor of sleeping with people for roles, or SleepingTheirWayToTheTop if someone claims that a high ranking person slept their way to their position. {{Straw Misogynist}}s and {{He Man Woman Hater}}s are likely to do this towards women. Contrast SexForServices where a character really ''did'' trade sexual favors for non-sexual ones, and SexualExtortion where a character ''demanded'' sex in exchange for a non-sexual favor.

* ''Fanfic/TheFlashSentryChronicles:'' Wind Rider, in an attempt to protect his record, accuses Rainbow Dash of only becoming a Wonderbolt by sleeping with Soarin. Soarin finds himself fighting the urge to strike Wind Rider down, as Rainbow Dash became a Wonderbolt before the two of them started committing their relationship.

* ''[[https://www.tumblr.com/chloe-bourgeois-is-big-gay/186937868434/perfect Perfect]]'': In this Fanfic/MaribatAU, fic, Marinette is a ballet dancer who's envied for her talent. Marinette wins the role of the lead dancer for a charity event in Gotham, which Lila claims she would have won if Marinette hadn't slept with the head of the company hosting the event.

[[folder:Films — Live-Action]]
* ''Film/TheAmericanPresident'': In the third act of the film, President Andrew Shepard's prospective reelection challenger Senator Bob Rumson suggests in a TV interview (without evidence) that Andy's current girlfriend, lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade, might have traded sexual favors to elected officials to get them to vote her way. They're both understandably infuriated by the accusation.

* ''Literature/TheCallistaTrilogy: Darksaber'': Admiral Daala relates to her NumberTwo Admiral Pellaeon that during her rise through the Imperial Navy, a disgruntled male officer accused her of [[SleepingTheirWayToTheTop sleeping her way to the top]]--with some cause, given she was Grand Moff Tarkin's [[TheMistress mistress]] at the time. Tarkin reacted quite poorly to this and [[ThrownOutTheAirlock threw him out an airlock]] in a decaying orbit with his spacesuit's radio locked in the "on" position [[MakeAnExampleOfThem so that everyone on the planet could hear his screams as he burned up on reentry]].

* ''Series/WhosTheBoss'': In "Protecting the President", Angela learns that one of her own vice-presidents has been talking smack about her behind her back, including a comment that she's a "two-bit tramp who slept her way to the top." When she starts to tell her mother about it, she correctly guesses exactly what he said, saying [[StrangeMindsThinkAlike it's what all men say about women who outrank them]].

-->'''Warner:''' ''(smarmy)'' Well, hell-''o'', Marilyn. Looks like you'll make partner now. After all, you earned it.\\

* ''VideoGame/TheCoffinOfAndyAndLeyLey'' has a variation involving SexualExtortion. When Andy and Ashley hear from the lady on the floor below their apartment that she has been receiving food from the wardens (when they weren't given any) by asking nicely, Ashley replies, "like 'bend over and open wide' -nicely?" Her accusation proves to be true when they force her to call a warden to lure him to their room for "a good time" so Ashley can use him as an offering for the Entity.

* In ''[[VisualNovel/Adastra2018 Adastra]]'', the titular moon is inhabited by a strictly patriarchal civilization of wolves. Therefore, rumors quickly spread that Virginia, the late emperor's only daughter, is as successful a diplomat as she is due to sexual favours to fellow politicians, rather than the actual reason: the fact she's brilliant. Of course, Virginia knows about these rumors and laughs them all off.

* Some readers of ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' were uncertain why [[UnequalRites Vaarsuvius is enraged]] by [[https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0677.html their being mistaken for a warlock]]. Forum user '''[=SPoD=]''' used Success Through Sex Accusation as a simile to explain the reason for Vaarsuvius' response:
->''"A wizard being called a sorcerer is sort of like having a [=PhD=] and someone telling you that you only managed to graduate because you have natural talent.\\

-->-- '''[=SPoD=]''', [[http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6909486&postcount=8 on the]] ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' board

* Inverted in ''Webcomic/YetAnotherFantasyGamerComic'', where Wolf (a male drow in a matriarchal society) is mocked by wood elves, [[https://www.yafgc.net/comic/0077-clever-like-the-wolf/ and shuts them both up with a single comeback:]]
-->I slept my way to this post.

* ''Center Texts'': [[https://youtu.be/6AXZzYsjilk?feature=shared Isabella]] is a college graduate who receives this accusation from Jenny, ''[[AbusiveParent her own mother]]'';Jenny always [[ParentalFavoritism favored Isabella's brother Ben]], a [[LazyBum layabout]] who dropped out of every college he went to. Jenny claims that the only reason Isabella was able to succeed where Ben failed is because she [[SextraCredit slept her way into getting good grades]].

--> Get your Kaiba lovin' boobies outta my face!

* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'': In "From Method to Madness", Stewie becomes part of a double act with a girl named Olivia. When he sees that her name comes before his on their first banner, he mockingly asks her how the sex with their manager was.

* ''Fanfic/TheManyDatesOfDannyFenton'': ''TMDDF: After Many Dates: Danny and Kim'' has a G-Rated variant. Sam assumes that [[WesternAnimation/KimPossible Kim]] is a BrainlessBeauty simply because she's a cheerleader. When she learns that Kim is a straight-A student, she accuses Kim of having offered boys dates to do her homework. Kim responds by giving Sam a tongue-lashing pointing out that for all of Sam's claims of hating shallow people, [[{{Hypocrite}} she's being shallow herself by making assumptions about Kim without getting to know her]].

-->'''Sam:''' You know, Booth, she must be really good in bed because I can't see any other reason you keep her around here.
-->'''Brennan:''' ''[confused]'' [[SexGoddess I am. Very good]]. But [[UnresolvedSexualTension Booth has no direct knowledge of that fact]].

* ''Theatre/ThePhantomOfTheOpera'': After the Phantom's latest batch of demands include having Christine replace Carlotta as the leading lady, everyone is quick to assume that the whole thing is a scheme between her and Raoul, the theater's new patron, whom everyone also assumes are having an affair.

* Some readers of ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' were uncertain why Vaarsuvius is [[UnequalRites enraged by their being mistaken for a warlock]]. Forum user '''[=SPoD=]''' used Success Through Sex Accusation as a simile to explain the reason for Vaarsuvius' response:

* ''Center Texts'' [[https://youtu.be/6AXZzYsjilk?feature=shared Isabella]] is a college graduate who receives this accusation from Jenny, ''[[AbusiveParent her own mother]]'';Jenny always [[ParentalFavoritism favored Isabella's brother Ben]], a [[LazyBum layabout]] who dropped out of every college he went to. Jenny claims that the only reason Isabella was able to succeed where Ben failed is because she [[SextraCredit slept her way into getting good grades]].

Due to {{Double Standard}}s attractive females are more likely to be the targets of these types of accusations, the reason being that a man's success is almost always assumed to be due to his own merit regardless of his looks, while unattractive women are seen as having no choice but to work hard because of their lack of looks. Meanwhile, attractive women are often assumed to have used their looks, flirtation, sex, etc. to get ahead, regardless of how hard they worked. See also NeverASelfMadeWoman (though of course this trope doesn't solely apply to women).

Compare SlutShaming. Overlaps with MaliciousSlander if someone is trying to ruin someone's reputation via this, SextraCredit if someone claims that someone got high grades via sex, CastingCouch if someone accuses an actor of sleeping with people for roles, or SleepingTheirWayToTheTop if someone claims that a high ranking person slept their way to their position. {{Straw Misogynist}}s and {{He Man Woman Hater}}s are likely to do this towards women. Contrast SexForServices where a character really '''did''' trade sexual favors for non-sexual ones, and SexualExtortion where a character '''demanded''' sex in exchange for a non-sexual favor.

* ''Series/TheCloser'': Brenda's squad and main rival Commander Taylor suspect that she made Deputy Chief (in a city she was never a cop in) by sleeping with Assistant Chief Will Pope. It's revealed that the two had an affair however, Brenda's interrogation, manipulation, and investigation skills are why she was made Deputy Chief. Taylor does question her authority and methods, however the two gain a mutual respect for each other.

-->'''Warner:''' ''(smarmy)'' Well, hell-''o'', Marilyn. Looks like you'll make partner now. After all, you earned it.
--> '''Vivian:''' Warner. ''Shut up.''

* ''WebVideo/BerserkAbridged'': Adon Corlbowitz baselessly accuses [[ActionGirl Casca]] of having become a commander in the Band of the Hawk by sleeping with Griffith as one of many "[[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain sexist villain]] cliches" he spouts before their first fight.

* ''WebVideo/BerserkAbridged'': Adon Corlbowitz accuses [[ActionGirl Casca]] of becoming a commander in the Band of the Hawk by sleeping with Griffith as one of many "[[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain sexist villain]] cliches" he spouts before their first fight.

* ''WebAnimation/TroubleBusters'': [[https://youtu.be/C8Z1Lcd0koY?feature=shared Ian]] is an [[SmallNameBigEgo arrogant]] [[StrawMisogynist misogynist]] who's [[OffendedByAnInferiorsSuccess offended that Hilary, a woman, is a member of the production team]] while he's only a member of the debugging team. He claims that Hiliary's better position is because she seduced one of the higher-ups. Ian has the audacity to state to Hiliary (who's secretly recording him) that the boss is an idiot who only hired Hilary for being a young woman and that he's too stupid to recognize Ian's talents.

* Wrestling/AJLee famously touched a nerve in a promo against the Wrestling/BellaTwins, who were both dating other [=WWE=] superstars, when she told them "Talent is not sexually transmitted."

* ''Film/LegallyBlonde'': When Vivian catches Professor Callaghan feeling up Elle in a private meeting in his office, she believes Elle consented and that's how she went from bottom of the class to getting one of Callahan's coveted internship positions. When Emmett later tells her Elle quit over the sexual harassment, Vivian feels terrible about jumping to conclusions.

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[[folder: Fan Works]]

[[folder: Films — Live-Action]]

[[folder: Literature]]

[[folder: Live-Action TV]]

[[folder: Professional Wrestling]]

[[folder: Theatre]]

[[folder: Video Games]]

[[folder: Visual Novels]]

[[folder: Web Animation]]

[[folder: Webcomics]]

[[folder: Web Videos]]

[[folder: Western Animation]]

[[folder: Films - Live-Action]]

[[folder: Webcomic]]

Compare SlutShaming. Overlaps with MaliciousSlander if someone is trying to ruin someone's reputation via this, SextraCredit if someone claims that someone got high grades via sex, CastingCouch is someone accuses an actor of sleeping with people for roles, or SleepingTheirWayToTheTop if someone claims that a high ranking person slept their way to their position. {{Straw Misogynist}}s and {{He Man Woman Hater}}s are likely to do this towards women. Contrast SexForServices where a character really '''did''' trade sexual favors for non-sexual ones, and SexualExtortion where a character '''demanded''' sex in exchange for a non-sexual favor.

* ''Theater/ThePhantomOfTheOpera'': After the Phantom's latest batch of demands include having Christine replace Carlotta as the leading lady, everyone is quick to assume that the whole thing is a scheme between her and Raoul, the theater's new patron, whom everyone also assumes are having an affair.

** [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KXocoUBfWDU Akamatsu]] is a [[HeManWomanHater misogynist]] who accuses Karin, Yuzuriha, and Azami, who are all wealthy, of being prostitutes under the "logic" that the only way a woman can be rich without relying on a man is sex-work. In actuality, they're doctors.

Due to {{Double Standard}}s attractive females are more likely to be the targets of these types of accusations, the reason being that a man's success is almost always assumed to be due to his own merit regardless of his looks, while unattractive women are seen as having no choice but to work hard because of their lack of looks. Meanwhile, attractive women are often assumed to have used their looks, flirtation, sex etc. to get ahead, regardless of how hard they worked. See also NeverASelfMadeWoman (though of course this trope doesn't solely apply to women).

* ''ComicBook/{{Harleen}}'': Harley Quinn is accused by gossips of sleeping with her supervisor to get her psychology qualification, (which she may have done in some other continuities), but the story points out that it would be impossible for anybody really unqualified to do that in modern times, due to degrees needing the approval of much more than one person. In fact, she did have sex with her supervisor, but it was because of genuine mutual attraction rather than a quid-pro-quo.

* ''[[https://www.tumblr.com/chloe-bourgeois-is-big-gay/186937868434/perfect Perfect]]'': In this Fanfic/MaribatAU, fic, Marinette is a ballet dancer who's envied for her talent. Marinette wins the role of the lead dancer for a charity event in Gotham, which Lila claims she would have won if Marinette didn't sleep with the head of the company hosting the event.

* ''Series/MadMen'': People assume Peggy had to have slept with Don because how else does a secretary get promoted to copywriter? In reality, Peggy strictly got the position on her own merits; Don meanwhile has a strict rule against sleeping with secretaries (which goes out the window after Megan is hired).
* ''Series/TheCloser'': Brenda's squad and main rival Commander Taylor suspect that she made Deputy Chief (in a city she was never a cop in) through sleeping with Assistant Chief Will Pope. It's revealed that the two had an affair however, Brenda's interrogation, manipulation, and investigation skills are why she was made Deputy Chief. Taylor does question her authority and methods, however the two gain a mutual respect for each other.

-->'''Warner:''' ''(smarmy)'' Well hell-''o'', Marilyn. Looks like you'll make partner now. After all, you earned it.

* ''VideoGame/TheCoffinOfAndyAndLeyLey'' has a variation involving SexualExtortion. When Andy and Ashley hear from the lady in the floor below their apartment that she has been receiving food from the wardens (when they weren't given any) by asking nicely, Ashley replies, "like 'bend over and open wide' -nicely?" Her accusation proves to be true when they force her to call a warden to lure him to their room for "a good time" so Ashley can use him as an offering for the Entity.

* In ''[[VisualNovel/Adastra2018 Adastra]]'', the titular moon is inhabited by a strictly patriarchical civilization of wolves. Therefore, rumors quickly spread that Virginia, the late emperor's only daughter, is as successful a diplomat as she is due to sexual favours to fellow politicians, rather than the actual reason: the fact she's brilliant. Of course, Virginia knows about these rumors, and laughs them all off.

** [[https://youtu.be/gxhuYlCcMfM?feature=shared Azami]] is [[GreenEyedMonster envious]] of Yuri for the CEO's praise of her. In order to make Yuri look bad, Azami decides to tell the CEO a bunch of lies about Yuri, even going so far as to claim that Yuri gained business deals by sleeping with clients.The CEO is infuriated by Azami's claims and rips her a new one for harassing people rather than doing her job.

Success often breeds resentment, with one popular form of resentment being accusations of foul play. One accusation that some people like to make is that a person's success came from seducing people.

----

'''Indices'''
* SexTropes
* InsultTropes
* DoubleStandard
* EnvyAndJealousyTropes
* TruthAndLies
* FameAndReputationTropes
* CynicismTropes