La Fea Más Bellaran from 2006 to 2007 and remains an incredibly popular Mexican telenovela thanks to its colorful cast of characters like Lety (Angélica Vale), Fernando (Jaime Camil), and Alicia (Patricia Navidad). Titled “The Most Beautiful Ugly Girl” in English,La Fea Más Bellacontinues to have a strong following, and had the most-watched soap opera finale in the history of Mexican TV. The show was loosely based on Columbian telenovelaYo Soy Betty, la fea- the same show that inspiredUS sitcomUgly Betty,and the two have a similar premise.
The cast ofLa Fea Más Bellahave all gone on to star in other shows, and it can be considered a career highlight for many of them - and many were already established stars prior to appearing on the show too. The likes of Vale, Camil, Navidad, and many other stars ofLa Fea Más Bellalike Elizabeth Álvarez, the late José José,and Sergio Mayer can all count the telenovela as one of their most noteworthy appearances. This has, of course, led many to wonder where else they can see the cast ofLa Fea Más Bella.
Angélica Vale
Played Lety In La Fea Más Bella
Actor:La Fea Más Bellastar Angélica Vale already had a budding career as an actor and singer prior to taking on the lead role of Lety.Her first role came in 1979’sLa Guerra Do Los Pasteles,though this movie appearance was uncredited. She also voiced Ellie in the Spanish dubs of the Ice Age movies, and Mama Imelda in the Spanish language version ofCoco.She has plenty of experience in telenovelas too, including playing Valantina in 2017’sLa Fan.
2017
Y mañana será otro día
2018
El milagro de vivir
1975
Bebe (TV Debut)
Character:Leticia Padilla Soli de Mondiola, or Lety as she’s known to most of the other characters and fans ofLa Fea Más Bellais the titular “ugly girl” of the show (though, much like themain character inUgly Betty,this label doesn’t feel exactly accurate).She finds herself in a love triangle with Fernando and Aldo, and has several makeovers, one of which has her adopting the persona of socialite Aurora Mayer De Salinas. By the end of the show, she comes to value her self-worth, leading to both romantic and professional success at Conceptos, the company she starts working for at the start of the show.
Jaime Camil
Played Fernando In La Fea Más Bella
Actor:Being professionally active since 1993,Jaime Camil has an extensive careerbeyond playing Fernando inLa Fea Más Bella.He began his career in entertainment as a radio host, with his first acting role being in the 1997-1998 telenovelaMirada de Mujer,in which he played Antonio. In recent years he’s appeared in several English language shows, including playing Doc Lopez inSchmigadoonand voicing Jorge Chavez inBoJack Horseman.
2024
2021-2023
2019-2020
Star vs. the Forces of Evil
2019
1997-1998
Antonio (TV Debut)
Character:Jamie Camil’s Fernando Mendiola Saénz is presented as something of a playboy whenLa Fea Más Bellabegins, despite being engaged to Marcia.He eventually develops feelings for Lety, though goes about expressing them in incredibly jealous ways (though this doesn’t prevent her from winning her heart). Crucially, he’s incredibly important for Lety’s professional success as Conceptos.
Elizabeth Álvarez
Played Marcia In La Fea Más Bella
Actor:Telenovelas likeLa Fea Más Bellaare more than familiar territory for cast member Elizabeth Álvarez, as she has appeared in many throughout her career.Her first recurring role was in 2001sAmigas y rivales,and followingLa Fea Más Bellashe went on to appear as a main cast member in the likes ofFuego En La Sangre, Amorcito Corazon,and, most recently,Nadie como túin 2023.
Nadie como tú
2023
2008
Amigas y rivales
2001
Rocia (first recurring TV role)
Character: Marcia Villarroel Drummond is the fiance of Fernando inLa Fea Más Bella,which means that she ends up becoming a love rival of Angélica Vale’s Lety.While she spends most of the show positioned as an antagonist, Marcia eventually comes to reconcile her dislike of Lety, especially after she ends her engagement to Fernando and meets a new partner online.
Patricia Navidad
Played Alicia In La Fea Más Bella
Actor: Patricia Navidad, like many members of the La Fea Más Bella cast, is an accomplished singer as well as actor.Her screen debut came in the 1992 telenovelaMaria Mercedes, in which she played Iris. She appeared in multiple telenovelas both before and afterLa Fea Más Bella, including 2005’sSueños y caramelosand, most recently, 2018’sPor amar sin ley.
Por amar sin ley
Sueños y caramelos
2005
1992
Iris (TV Debut)
Character: Alicia often plays something of a comic relief role inLa Fea Más Bella,as she’s shallow, blunt, and overly egotistical about her physical appearance (all qualities that make her the exact opposite of Lety in many ways).However, like Marcia, Alicia ends up redeeming herself somewhat by the end of the story, especially after she marries Tomas (and returns money she’d stolen from Conceptos).
José José
Played Don Erasmo In La Fea Más Bella
Actor: The late José José passed away in 2019, and was arguably the most well-known member of theLa Fea Más Bellacast when he appeared in the show.Known predominantly for his singing ability, José José was also known asEl Príncipe de la Canción(The Prince of Song in English), and is still regarded by many as one of the greatest Spanish language pop artists who ever lived. He didn’t have many acting roles outside ofLa Fea Más Bella,but appeared in several films, including 1972’sUn sueño de amorand 2006’sDouble Tap.
Sabor a mi
1988
2006
Un sueño de amor
1972
David (Movie Debut)
Character: Don Erasmo Padilla García is Lety’s strict and overbearing father inLa Fea Más Bella.He’s incredibly driven by his morals, and doesn’t like change - especially when it comes to plot developments like Lety no longer dating Tomas, or that Lety herself needs to be recognized as a young woman and not, as he sees her, his little girl.
Angélica María
Played Doña Julieta In La Fea Más Bella
Actor: Much like the late José José, Angélica María already had a long and highly celebrated career prior to joining the cast ofLa Fea Más Bella.Born in 1944, Angélica María is an icon of the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema in the 1950s, appearing in classics likeMi esposa y la otra, Pecado,andUna mujer decente.She was also one of the first telenovela stars thanks to her roles in genre pioneers like 1960’sCartas de amor.
2007
2012-2013
1950
Miguelito (Acting Debut)
Character: The wife of Don Erasmo, Angélica María’s Doña Julieta Solis de Padilla is often the voice of reason for Lety inLa Fea Más Bella.She’s incredibly supportive of her daughter’s choices and only ever wants what’s best for her - even when Lety herself doesn’t know what path to take. This leads to Doña Julieta being integral to Fernando’s attempts to win Lety back when Lety and Aldo are planning to marry.
Sergio Mayer
Played Luigi In La Fea Más Bella
Actor: Sergio Mayer has one of the most interesting careers of all theLa Fea Más Bellacast members.Outside of acting, he is incredibly involved in politics, and even served as a federal deputy from 2018-2021. When it comes to his on-screen career, he got his start in telenovelas like 1996’sConfidente de secundariaand 2001’sComo en el cine.His last acting role with as Edmundo in the 2014-2016 dramaComo dice el dicho.
Como dice el dicho
2014-2016
Como en el cine
Confidente de secundaria
1996
Erick (TV Debut)
Character: Luigi is, in many ways, theLa Fea Más Bellaequivalent of Michael Urie’sMarc St. James inUgly Betty.A gay fashion designer, Luigi is incredibly obsessed with image and gives Lety several makeovers throughout the show. He has an unrequited crush on Aldo, though romance isn’t central to Luigi as a character. Instead, Luigi has one of the most heartwarming narrative arcs in the show that sees him reconcile with his estranged parents.
