u/Formal-Engine-6275

I don't know if the is the right place to post, since I assume that people here are still in the biz.

I’m 18, male, and live In Melbourne Australia. I love acting and performing, singing and dancing more than anything else in the world. but. as I’ve gone through puberty I’ve become aware of the fact that I am not that attractive, at all. and not in a way that’s “not conventional,” in a way that’s just really not appealing. I should say, I’m not looking for validation or reassurance, Im well aware of the beauty standards of the industry and that I fall outside of them. my point of contention is whether or not to bother pursuing it when I know it doesn’t matter how good i am (which I believe I am passable, and I’m currently putting in more work than ever) if I simply am not at all pleasant to look at.

anyway, I’d love to hear your advice, it’s been hard to stay in love with this art form when I feel it’s futile, not because I’m not necessarily not good enough or not determined enough, but because of something I really cannot control or change (at least not enough to magically make me normal looking enough to be competitive)

thank you so much for reading, and best of luck out there! I love scrolling this this sub and I hope some you ridiculously talented people can give me some insight

if you're curious, i've attached some photos of myself, they're ones i do like and am trying to mog in kinda lol: https://imgur.com/a/21JZedI https://imgur.com/a/26j1tBX

much love ❤️

(*Edit: i would love to work in theatre, but also film and tv would be awesome, but yeah, not sure if that helps with anything, just thought i'd add that <3)

i would love to be an actor, but there is a beauty standard in the industry that i worry i don't meet meet. i've been cast in a few uni-student short films and done some voice acting work before, but obviously that's a lot more forgiving. i'll also add that i'd obviously like to know what i look like from the POV of everyday people and not just casting directors, so, any opinions of yours i'd really appreciate <3

p.s. i know i have acne!!! i'm allergic to accutane, but i'm doing my best with topical stuff and diet

AND the last photo i look a bit chopped i know + i got a new haircut yesterday which is awful...so

(17 M) The first picture is me when I’m really trying to look up, and get better tongue posture. I don’t mind the way I look front on, but, I’m an aspiring actor (the second photo is a headshot from a recent gig), and there is a level of attractiveness that must be met for casting, and I have been cast in some small things, but nothing bigger than student films and one ad. also the third photo is me looking more level, but still trying to get some semblance of proper tongue posture.

p.s. I’m working on my acne, I’m allergic to accutane so i have to rely on diet and topical stuff

sorry for looking so serious, i wasn't sure whether to smile or try and make anything look better, so just know usually i look a little more 'alive' than in these photos lol

(the 1st image is resting posture, the second is trying to lift my tongue and give some shape)