'I Wouldn’t Be Driving This Honda:' Charlotte Woman Says That She Gets Pretty Privilege. But Then She Reveals Dark Consequences

"I’m in control and it makes me feel good."

Photo by: lorettaflaig & emrecan arık

Alexandra Samuels

By: Alexandra Samuels

Aug 22, 2025 at 5:00pm ET

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A TikTok creator is sparking debate after opening up about what she calls the hidden downsides of “pretty privilege.”

Lo (@lorettaflaig) filmed herself from her Honda, telling her 7,000-plus followers that being conventionally attractive often comes with damaging assumptions—and tempting offers she feels pressured to reject.

“I don’t think people realize, truly, how often a person who looks like me is presented with certain opportunities that could change [their] life,” she said. “Having to say no, it takes a really, really strong moral compass. It is really exhausting.”

Lo claimed she’s turned down offers that could have made her rich overnight, insisting her choices come down to principle. Her video, framed as the “dark side” of pretty privilege, has already racked up more than 15,000 views.

What Are The Downsides of Pretty Privilege?

Lo didn’t spell out the details of the offers she’d turned down, but she described them as sinister enough to make her “never have to worry about money again” if she’d said yes. She’s 32 now, and said those kinds of propositions have followed her for most of her life, shaping the way she navigates friendships, dating, and even casual encounters.

At one point, she recalled someone flat-out assuming she was a prostitute because of how she looks.

“I would be driving this Honda if I were doing any of that stuff,” she said. “I choose to be sexy because I’m in control and it makes me feel good.”

She’s essentially saying that she wouldn’t be driving a midpriced vehicle if she accepted even one of these offers. In that case, she implied she might be driving a luxury vehicle.

Lo stressed that, no matter how lucrative the offers, she’s committed to turning them down—something she credits to both her upbringing and her sense of morality.

“There are a few people left in this world who will say no and will work hard and do the right,” she said. “I don’t want to be a part of anybody’s weird stuff. I’m tired of having to be defensive everywhere I go.”

Is Pretty Privilege Real?

It is. Research consistently shows that people seen as attractive often get special benefits, whether it’s an easier time finding a job or earning a higher salary once employed. This phenomenon is part of the halo effect, which Verywell Mind describes as the tendency for attractive people to be assumed to possess qualities such as intelligence, friendliness, capability, or kindness.

It appears everywhere. Strangers tend to be more welcoming, and people are quicker to trust—even dating apps often favor those who meet certain beauty standards.

However, as Lo pointed out, there’s a downside to pretty privilege as well. Being objectified, reduced just to your looks, or dismissed as shallow or less intelligent are common complaints. Some, like Lo, worry that their relationships aren’t genuine or argue that the constant pressure to stay attractive can be exhausting.

Of course, beauty isn’t universal or fixed. Still, research repeatedly shows that people who fit conventional standards are often rewarded for it—even if the perks come with some chilling downsides. Being attractive can open doors, but it doesn’t guarantee happiness or security. Pretty privilege can be both a blessing and a burden, making people wonder whether they’re valued for who they are or how they look—which is why stories like Lo’s resonate.

Indeed, commenters who watched Lo’s video applauded her for sticking to her morals, saying that staying true to her values makes her even more attractive.

“That’s why you are a great catch and wife material,” one wrote. “Morals and values will always win.”

Another comment, one Lo liked herself, read: “This makes you a million times more attractive.”

What do you think?

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“This is refreshing, stay strong,” a third man wrote. “Staying the course will always pay off.”

Motor1 has reached out to Lo via a direct message on TikTok. We’ll update this if she responds.