History Main / TheBeautifulElite

* Characters/{{Emma Frost|WhiteQueen}}'s [[ComicBook/EmmaFrost 2003 limited series]] reveals the Frosts to be this. Winston, the family patriarch, is an abusive control freak who also cheats on his wife Hazel and pits his children against each other to win his approval. He is also homophobic towards his gay son whose boyfriend he has deported and expresses NoSympathy when his son attempts suicide. Hazel for her part is implied to resort to drugs and alcohol to deal with the chaos of her family. The eldest daughter Adrienne is a manipulative sociopath who thinks little to nothing of hurting her siblings to get her father's approval and in [[ComicBook/GenerationX future stories would become a villain herself]]. The second eldest daughter Cordelia is a teenage Goth rebel who frequently acts out to get her parents' attention. Christian is a closeted homosexual who turns to drugs after his boyfriend is deported. And of course, we have Emma who starts out as a decent person but will become the White Queen in the future.

* ''Film/{{Seconds}}'' depicts an elderly man who pays to literally be remade as one of the Beautiful People; in a nice touch, post-transformation he is played by Rock Hudson. It doesn't work out very well.

* Film/DeathOnTheNile2022: Heiress Lynette Doyle (née Ridgeway) fits this trope.

* ''Series/{{Gossip Girl}}'' (both the tv show and book series) practically revolves around this trope.

* On ''Series/SpartacusBloodAndSand'' the Roman upper class is heavily stacked with beautiful people, who insist on only the finest of everything, ideally handed to them by slaves while they recline in comfort. That said, the slaves are usually pretty beautiful as well.
* In ''Recap/BlackMirrorNosedive'', this applies to those with rankings above 4.5- 'high fours.' They're universally gorgeous, rich, and Instagram-perfect.

* ''Film/GodzillaVsKong'': Corporate billionaire father and daughter duo Walter and Maia Simmons are both portrayed by physically gorgeous actors, and both sport some trendy clothing articles throughout the movie which compliment their faces (in Walter's case, the latter is {{justified}} by the fact he's actually a {{narcissist}} who will truly go to any lengths without thinking things through to satisfy his ego). However, only Walter is [[FauxAffablyEvil charismatic and sophisticated]], whereas Maia is a RichBitch with the bare minimum in term of attitude relevant to this trope.

* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse: As a Prince of Asgard, it's expected that [[Characters/MarvelComicsLoki Loki]]'s wardrobe be lavish and majestic, but he takes the "beautiful" part ''much'' more seriously than Thor or Odin. Loki's attire is noticeably more elaborate than theirs, and it always flatters his statuesque frame leaving no doubt that he's part of the ruling class. In ''Film/ThorTheDarkWorld'', Loki's LuxuryPrisonSuite and his SimpleYetOpulent prison uniform are visual cues that he was once a member of Asgard's elite. In ''Film/ThorRagnarok'', he indulges in a bit of decadence by being a RecliningReigner with five lovely female servants offering him GrapesOfLuxury and [[WineIsClassy wine]].

* In Creator/JimButcher's ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', the White Court. Averted with Inari Raith, Thomas' little sister. Cute, but not blinding, jaw-droppingly beautiful like Lara, although that's only because she is still human. It is shown in the same book that teenaged Thomas was, while not ugly, slightly overweight and had a "squint that suggested a need for glasses." So becoming a White Court vampire literally ''makes'' you one of the beautiful people. They're SuccubiAndIncubi.
* ''Literature/HarryPotter'': Lucius Malfoy has a pale, pointed-featured visage like his son, and if being a horribly-FantasticRacist jackass isn't bad enough, he's also a first-generation Death Eater who willingly served Voldemort's first campaign of terror and does so again following the Dark Lord's return. It's also implied that Blaise Zabini's mother, who's mentioned to be famously beautiful, is a BlackWidow.
** See Jerkass Versions for more examples.
* Creator/TerryPratchett's novel ''Literature/LordsAndLadies'' features the exceptionally beautiful [[TheFairFolk Fair Folk]] who are described as evil, violent sociopaths. They get away with it because they are so beautiful that people don't think they're good enough to stop them. The beauty turns out just to be a glamour field though - to anyone that can see through it, they look vaguely feline and not especially attractive at all.
* In Creator/RobertEHoward's Franchise/ConanTheBarbarian story "Literature/IronShadowsInTheMoon", the PhysicalGod in [[DreamingOfTimesGoneBy Olivia's dream]]. This might go under "Too Good to be True" since all we see him do is [[{{Revenge}} avenge]] his [[HalfHumanHybrid son]]'s [[ColdBloodedTorture torture]] and death. Then, it's a nasty revenge that endangers anyone who happens on it.
* Wealthy residents of the city of Shadukiam in ''Literature/TheOrphansTales.'' The setting alone should give you an idea: They live in the most beautiful city in the world, pieced together by djinn-magic, crowned by diamond spires and a magnificent dome covered in roses that never wilt. The achievement of their lives is eating, especially food derived from jewels. Look away from the Rose Dome, however, and you'll find crowded slums teeming with [[FantasticRacism sapient species undertrodden and killed daily]], [[BodySurf corpse-defiling evil spirits]], and a long history of corruption, greed, and betrayal, which finally catches up with the beautiful city.
* ''Literature/ThePictureOfDorianGray''
* In Creator/ScottWesterfeld's book ''[[Literature/{{Uglies}} Pretties]]'' everyone gets turned phenomenally [[TheBrainlessBeauty beautiful]] at age sixteen,[[spoiler: but given brain lesions, so that they're all the same and follow the herd]].

* In William King's TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}} Literature/SpaceWolf novel ''Wolfblade'', the House of Belisarius is like this. They even provide this kind of luxury for the Wolfblades, their Space Wolf bodyguards. The [[DividedWeFall factional fighting]] is something else again, as well.

* ''Series/{{The Twilight Zone|1959}}'' episode, "[[Recap/TheTwilightZoneS5E137Number12LooksJustLikeYou Number 12 Looks Just Like You]]", may have been inspired by ''Literature/BraveNewWorld.'' (It was based on a Charles Beaumont story.) The future ''Dystopia'' in which the story is set forces its people to undergo an operation that makes them beautiful and ditzy. (Said people are only allowed to choose from a small number of idealized forms for their new bodies - which is why except for the main character [[spoiler: until she goes through the operation at the end]] all the roles in the episode are played by only three people - and thus have to wear nametags in order to identify each other.)
* The '70s TV movie ''The Girl Most Likely To...'' is about a smart, homely, overweight girl who enters college and is routinely tormented by the beautiful people. Driven to the brink, she ends up in a major car crash. After months of hospitalization with her jaw wired shut and extensive reconstructive surgery, she emerges slim and beautiful. Returning to college unrecognized, she gets close to her tormentors, who regard her as one of them...and starts [[TenLittleMurderVictims killing them off one by one]].

To a certain degree, this is TruthInTelevision. In most societies, wealth and attractiveness are highly correlated; the wealthy have much greater access to resources for improving their own appearance, through fitness classes, plastic surgery, healthy food, hairstyling, wardrobe, etc. Moreover, attractive people often have better access to social, financial, and material success, whether through marriage or professional opportunities. And even beyond all that, ''the very standards of beauty itself'', especially feminine beauty, are usually primarily a demonstration of wealth. Hey, LifeIsntFair.

This is TruthInTelevision, to some degree. In most societies, wealth and attractiveness are highly correlated; the wealthy have much greater access to resources for improving their own appearance, through fitness classes, plastic surgery, healthy food, hairstyling, wardrobe, etc. Moreover, attractive people often have better access to social, financial, and material success, be it through marriage or career opportunities. And beyond all that, ''the very standards of beauty itself'', especially feminine beauty, are usually primarily a demonstration of wealth. Hey, LifeIsntFair.

* The Daeva from ''TabletopGame/VampireTheRequiem'' are a [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstruction]] of the trope. In their [[{{Splat}} Clanbook]] it is stated that they're "[[SuperStrength stronger]], [[SuperSpeed faster]] and [[EvilIsSexy sexier]] than you". Even before the Embrace most of them were already attractive humans and after and it they become [[InhumanlyBeautifulRace drop-dead gorgeous]], thanks to their [[SignatureMove core Discipline]], [[{{Glamour}} Majesty]], that allows them to enthrall people with their presence. The Clanbook does make a point of the fact that anyone who knows enough about the Daeva (including the Daeva themselves) tends to find [[UncannyValley something off about them because their beauty is artificial]] and they are [[LackOfEmpathy incapable of love]]. One of the illustrators noted that the Daeva are essentially sex objects rather than people.

* The ruling class of the Fire Nation in ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': the men are almost all either venerable sages or muscular hunks, all the women under 70 are gorgeous, they wear extravagant red and gold robes and live in opulent palaces or luxurious beach houses, and many of them are powerful firebenders. Their morality ranges from [[PunchClockVillain Punch-Clock Villains]] to TheSociopath.

* ''WebOriginal/OrionsArm'': While genetic modifications can give pretty much anyone who chooses this status by modern standards, Clade Labela stands out as an extreme example since their mandatory scarcity make them all the more attractive.

* The Witches and Warlocks In ''Series/ChillingAdventuresOfSabrina'' are all Beautiful Glamorous, Elegant and Sophisticated [[LadyOfBlackMagic Zelda Spellman]] for example looks like an Old Hollywood Movie Star. And the students of the [[WizardingSchool Academy of Unseen Arts]], are also very sexy attractive and seductive.

* The middle school in ''Series/NedsDeclassifiedSchoolSurvivalGuide'' looks like a cartoon come to life, with a dash of TwoDecadesBehind (in this case TheEighties) thrown in for good measure. Which makes sense, since the entire cast acts like the old WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes come to life.

** [[Characters/XMenTheOriginalTeam Warren Worthington III]] is a handsome, blonde-haired man of OldMoney origins with [[WingedHumanoid wings]] making him a literal AngelicBeauty.

* ''Anime/BabyFelixandFriends'', appears to be a beautiful 3-year old cat named Baby Felix, the main protagonist of the anime.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' Bart Simpson is a mischievous boy, but being beautiful in all seasons, he was the only male son of Homer and Marge.

** If you were unfortunate enough to be [[BlackSheep born ugly]] or have a disfiguring accident, it's basically seen as a FateWorseThanDeath and you're expected to kill yourself.

* ''Franchise/SailorMoon'': For all its GenericCuteness, CostumePorn and [[GratuitousPrincess Princesses]], the [[Manga/SailorMoon manga]] and [[Anime/SailorMoon anime]] mostly avert this. No truly beautiful character is shown without serious flaws that spoil the image of elitist perfection, whether they're the [[ThisLoserIsYou good]] [[TheKlutz guys]] ''or'' the [[VainSorceress bad]] [[NotSoAboveItAll guys]].

** The Wayne family has this reputation among Gotham's citizens. There's ''extremely'' handsome and charismatic playboy [[Franchise/{{Batman}} Bruce Wayne]]. Aside from that we have his sons and daughter (adopted and not): [[Characters/NightwingDickGrayson Dick Grayson]], [[AllGirlsWantBadBoys Jason]] [[Characters/BatmanJasonTodd Todd]], [[NerdsAreSexy Tim]] [[ComicBook/Robin1993 Drake]], [[IndifferentBeauty Cassandra]] [[ComicBook/Batgirl2000 Cain]] and adorably precocious Damian Wayne. ''All'' of them, Dick in particular, are portrayed as exceedingly good looking.

* Both the dueling biopics ''Film/YvesSaintLaurent'' and ''Film/SaintLaurent'' portray the {{fashion designer}}'s jet setting life of wealth, fame, lavish parties, beautiful muses, handsome lovers and gorgeously appointed homes. Saint Laurent himself was handsome, as are the actors portraying him.

* The ruling class of [[ArtificialHuman Elites]] of ''Literature/AiNoKusabi'' are ''elite'' in every way because they are [[ArtificialHuman designed]] [[LegoGenetics to]] [[BioAugmentation be]]. Especially the highest of them all, Iason Mink.

** The [[ArtEvolution art has improved greatly]] by the sequel leading to characters that looked plain or merely interesting looking before to be considered drop dead gorgeous. They are not without their flaws and hidden darkness though, [[DarkAndTroubledPast and not]] [[CrapsackWorld without reason]].

* ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': In this ''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'' Franchise/MonsterVerse fanfiction, [[Characters/AbraxasHrodvitnonHumans Maia Simmons]] is physically attractive ([[FemmeFatale and knows how to use it]]); and unlike her ''Film/GodzillaVsKong'' portrayal she has a [[AdaptationalIntelligence very intelligent]] [[AdaptationalNiceGirl and charismatic personality]] as a groomed MegaCorp heiress. Ultimately, this is somewhat ZigZagged between the Evil Version and Too Good To Be True version of this trope, since whilst Maia is aiding her father in committing some outright criminal activities, [[spoiler:the [=AbraxasVerse=] Timeline reveals she eventually has a HeelRealization and plans to side with [[BenevolentConspiracy Monarch]] if her father fails]].

* In Creator/RobertEHoward's Franchise/ConanTheBarbarian story "Literature/IronShadowsInTheMoon", the PhysicalGod in [[DreamingOfTimesGoneBy Olivia's dream]]. This might go under "Too Good to be True" since all we see him do is [[{{Revenge}} avenge]] his [[HalfHumanHybrid son's]] [[ColdBloodedTorture torture]] and death. Then, it's a nasty revenge that endangers anyone who happens on it.

** ''ComicBook/NewMutants'': Bobby da Costa aka [[Characters/MarvelComicsSunspot Sunspot]] [[ButNotTooBlack is the son of wealthy Afro-Brazilian businessman Emmanuel da Costa and his white American mother archaeologist Nina da Costa]]. In his youth Bobby was temperamental and pig-headed towards his team mates but mellowed out as he grew up.

* ''Series/TheAssassinationOfGianniVersace'': The FashionDesigner's life epitomizes this trope, and Andrew wants in. When he is shut out, Andrew goes on a killing spree.

The Beautiful Elite rarely have to work hard at anything, as they are [[ShelteredAristocrat sheltered in wealthy families that give them a a luxurious lifestyle]]. In many cases, [[{{Socialite}} they don't have to work at all]], but if they do have a job, it will be a high-profile, leadership or media role that is just as glamorous as the rest of their lives.

* In ''Literature/GodClads'' the elites of[[MegaCity New Vultan]] all look like out of this world beautiful because of gene and bosy modification made to them from the moment they were born.

Compare BeautyIsNeverTarnished, ModelCouple, FashionModel. Often overlaps with TheProudElite. When ''everyone'' in the show is like this, it is probably a CastFullOfRichPeople.

* ''LightNovel/InfiniteStratos''. All IS pilots have snazzy school uniforms, a 5 star hotel grade dormitories, pimping mecha suit, and look very good.

* Siegfried's ''Contra Mundi'' team in the ''LightNovel/TrinityBlood'' manga. Perfect skins, stylish, expensive uniforms and haircuts, and ''[[BishieSparkle ohmygod, he sparkles!]]''. (Then [[spoiler:Cain shows up naked and ruins the effect. Nice butt, though.]])

* The Magician Clans of ''Anime/TheIrregularAtMagicHighSchool'' are surreally beautiful -- partly because their wealth gives them access to genetic engineering on a mass scale, and breeding with any of the mundane fragile ''humans'' is frowned upon. There are heroic Clan members, but they are still privileged, segregated, [[OneManArmy intimidating]] people who've been above the law their whole lives, and their behaviour shows it. A "good" magician is a egalitarian vigilante who understands ''noblesse oblige'', like Franchise/{{Batman}} on his better days. An evil magician wants to slaughter everyone alive, and probably can.
* ''LightNovel/TrappedInADatingSimTheWorldOfOtomeGamesIsToughForMobs'': Since this is a MediaTransmigration story taking place in an OtomeGame, protagonist Leon vocally resents the five dating sim capture targets for being this, while he's stuck poor and undesireable at the bottom of a FantasticCasteSystem in a school for nobles:

* The ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'' [[TheFilmOfTheBook film series]] introduces us to the gorgeous [[BadassFamily Cullens]], who are an altogether [[InhumanlyBeautifulRace different breed]]. As the "saga" progresses so does our view of just how very [[VampiresAreRich well off]] the family is. Their designer clothing, collection of [[CoolCar imported/armoured automobiles]], a patriarch with centuries of medical experience, their beautiful [[CoolHouse home]], the magazine worthy dream wedding, and private island honeymoon clue us in to just how beautiful and elite life as a vampire can be.

* Most of the [[OurVampiresAreDifferent vampires]] in the ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'' series follow this trope, but especially the Cullens. All the Cullens are described as being impossibly beautiful with Edward being metaphorically referred to as a god. All of them have at least one CoolCar and several college degrees. They also possess extreme wealth from years of compound interest and knowing someone able to predict stock market trends. OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent Bella often despairs because she can't find ''anything'' that Edward is bad at. It's implicit that this is almost a side effect- when you finally meet an ordinary looking vampire, it's because in life, he was really, incredibly ''ugly''.

TruthInTelevision, to some degree. In most societies, wealth and attractiveness are highly correlated; the wealthy have much greater access to resources for improving their own appearance, through fitness classes, plastic surgery, healthy food, and hairstyling. Moreover, attractive people often have better access to social, financial, and material success, whether through marriage or career opportunities. Beyond that, ''the very standards of beauty'', especially feminine beauty, are usually primarily a demonstration of wealth! Hey, LifeIsntFair.