'Pretty privilege': Is it real?

Available for over a year

Along with an update on the latest developments in the Mangione case, in this episode Jordan Dunbar explores the idea of "pretty privilege" and the role appearance may play in shaping public perception, media attention and even courtroom outcomes. Through interviews with a criminal defence attorney and BBC journalists, the episode examines whether attractiveness can influence how defendants are viewed by jurors and the public. The discussion unpacks first impressions, bias and decision-making, while exploring research into how physical appearance can affect perceptions of people's trustworthiness, intelligence and guilt. The programme also looks beyond the courtroom to examine global debates around beauty standards, social media and image culture, including the intense reaction to the Mangione case in Brazil. Through this episode Jordan asks whether "pretty privilege" is a real social advantage, or a far more complicated phenomenon.