The CW Network has brought viewers another look at with world of high fashion with the premiere of The Beautiful Life. This TV drama is all about the lives of fashion models and agencies, set in New York City. Viewers get to see behind the curtain at the lies, insecurity and jealousy that runs through the fashion model world.
The pilot episode opens with young model Raina Marinelli (Sarah Paxton) in a runway show. The show ends up being in the middle of fashion week. She is thrust into the limelight when the designer chooses her to model his signature piece. The piece is originally designed for Sonja, a pill-popping diva trying to reclaim her crown as the reigning supermodel, played by Marisa Barton. She can not fit in the dress. Raina rocks the dress and is the new star of fashion and the envy of all other models. Sonja and Raina seem to be hiding something. As the show goes on we learn that Raina is the one hiding from her dad who is in jail and soon to be getting out, while Sonja’s unexplained absence from New York is revealed when she looks at a cellphone pic of her and a baby.
Chris Andrews ( Ben Hollingsworth) is in New York with his family on vacation from Iowa. Chris is discovered at a restaurant by Simon. His parents aren’t exactly pleased for him to stay.
Isaac (Corbin Bleu) is a former child model who is trying to break into the music business. Unfortunately, he hasn’t had a modeling gig in a long time and he needs money.
At her modeling agency Raina meets Chris Andrews, who is made to strip to his underwear. The agency then sends him to take head shots. Chris and Raina bump into each other at the agency run by Claudia (Elle Macpherson). Claudia’s agency also represents Isaac, even though he can’t get a job to save his life, and Marisa, Raina’s calculating and ambitious friend. We see Sonja come to the office and talk her way into a Versace ad.
After Chris’s photoshoot he learns that most of the models live in a brownstone, where he is told to crash for awhile. He tries to find a room to no avail. Simon asks him to stay at his house (a little to shifty for my taste).
There is a huge party for the agency’s anniversary. This party is full of models, agents and designers. Simon acts like Chris is his boyfriend. Then Chris, who is not having any of it, punches him in the mouth and gets thrown out. Isaac decides to take an attractive female agent up on her offer to help his career, even though he’s basically her boy toy.
Sonja arrives in the Versace dress, and is felt up by a sketchy designer. Raina devises a plan to get back at that jerk, having him make out with her and filming it on her iPhone. She proceeds to tell him that she’s 16 and she blackmails him into giving Sonja a key modeling job.
Sonja comes home to flowers sent by someone who signed the card “R” she has a “crazy” moment where she throws a vase of flowers at a picture of herself while screaming at the top of her lungs.
Back at the brownstone, Raina finds Chris sleeping in the corner. She invites him to sleep on her room, on the floor. He says he’s leaving in the morning, but we all know he’s gonna stay.
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