The Witcher's Yennefer Casting Was Intended to 'Challenge' Beauty Standards

[queenursula]

Casting director Sophie Holland says Anya Chalotra's casting as Yennefer of Vengerberg in Netflix's adaptation of The Witcher was intended to "challenge" beauty standards. https://t.co/HcBDe914Jw pic.twitter.com/ohenoeUL0b
- Comic Book Resources (@CBR) July 25, 2023
The Witcher casting director Sophia Holland discussed pushing for Anya Chalotra to

Comments

[richyrich909]

But…she’s..extremely attractive?! Am I dumb? Confused? Both? I mean I’m someone with what I describe as facial dysmorphia, but am fully aware of how I’m perceived by the public, and maybe there was a conversation behind the scenes but…am I missing something?

[dejatrue]

[syvlie0o0]

She's saying that the "beauty standard" in the fantasy genre is "white woman" so by casting a half Indian lady they're totally being revolutionary.

[richyrich909]

Ok. So I’m not being insensitive or ignorant in my confusion. Perfect. I hate speaking on women and their looks and struggles, but this seemed like a total reach. Lol

[__onthebound]

And she isn't saying it herself. Someone is saying it about her

[stillglows]

/hugs. yeah i feel you, i think i definitely have some type of body dysmorphia and seeing them say this gorgeous woman is supposed to challenge beauty standards is kind of jarring. like... i get what she's saying but at the same time... :/

[richyrich909]

It’s a slippery slope, but to fully go to this degree is off putting to me. Like how I feel about myself is one thing, but to play into this level of delusion is something else entirely.

[belle_chouette]

but she’s … brunette!! 🤢

[dadeepish]

No, this story is stupid. It’s like gaslighting, almost. She has strong features, which only adds to her physical impact. She could cause traffic accidents. I hate this story.

[automaticpeople]

[einodia]

As a brunette currently wearing both of those things, my ugly ass is called OUT!

[beeach_comaaa]

She’s got paint on her overalls!

[bet_on_me]

NGL my dumb ass internalized this instead of understanding its satire and for like a decade, I could wear glasses or I could wear a ponytail but NEVER BOTH.

Now every day as I scrounge my scraggly, unbrushed tresses into yet another sloppy momtail and shove my toddler finger-besmeared goggles onto my dull, unexfoliated face, I think of this line and laugh.