Summary
Repetitive romances and simplistic storytelling upend a series that had the potential to be a genuine camp cult classic. There are strong Ugly Betty vibes at play here, and the allure of Kim Cattrall will win over plenty of new viewers, but this new Netflix show is entirely forgettable overall.
Here is our review of the 2023 Netflix series Glamorous Season 1, which does not contain spoilers.
You may be surprised to hear that beauty and fashion is not my thing, but even I have come across makeup influencers now and again while endlessly scrolling on social media. It is a booming industry, and any wannabe influencer can easily start up their own channel from the safety of their bedroom without breaking the bank.
This idea of starting from nothing and chasing after fame is the central theme of Netflix’s original series Glamorous, led by Marco Mejia (Miss Benny), an aspiring influencer obsessed with makeup and beauty products. And he, too, hopes to one day find success in this crowded arena.
Glamorous Season 1 Review and Plot Summary
It’s quickly established that makeup is Marco’s life. He dedicates hours of his time to his online makeup channel while selling similar products down at the mall for work.
During one life-changing shift, he encounters a mystery shopper that resembles his fashion icon, Madolyn Addison.
Well, lucky for Marco, this shopper actually is Madolyn Addison, played by the queen herself, Kim Cattrall of Sex and the City fame. She’s there undercover to research her products from her ‘Glamorous by Madolyn’ beauty brand, eager to see how the items perform in the store.
While chatting with his idol, Marco gives Madolyn a full makeover, using her products in the process.
He talks passionately and openly about the industry and Madolyn’s brand. The mogul is so impressed that she hires Marco on the spot as her second assistant.
Marco may have joined this business empire at the wrong time, though, as the brand has become safe and stale in recent years. Madolyn has even been forced to sell the company, but they must jump through many hoops before reaching their end goal.
During his first few weeks on the job, Marco bonds with his colleagues and finds romance outside of the office. As you’d expect from a series that carries strong Ugly Betty vibes, there are plenty of rocky romances in store for our cast of characters and lots of backstabbing to endure in the office too.
Is Glamorous Season 1 good or bad?
Glamorous is a real missed opportunity on the whole. This show can be playful and camp when it wants to be, but it’s consistently bogged down by mediocre plotting. The business angle is tedious with low stakes, while the romances are painfully by-the-numbers, following your standard rom-com plot beats.
The humor seems quite dated and disjointed at times, too, while the long running time feels entirely unnecessary. Shorter episodes would have solved many of the plotting issues, allowing the creators a chance to focus on the more entertaining aspects of the series instead.
Is Glamorous Season 1 worth watching?
Glamorous will undoubtedly reach its intended audience and has many rewarding features. The show offers an important voice to the LGBTQIA+ community and normalizes same-sex relationships while exploring topical themes.
Although the script and its offbeat tone undermine these vital messages in the end.
What did you think of Netflix’s Glamorous Season 1? Comment below.
