Beyonce’s “Pretty Hurts” Premieres On VEVO: The 10 Most Heartbreaking Moments

Mike Wass | April 24, 2014 3:08 pm

Beyonce‘s gut-wrenching “Pretty Hurts” video premiered on VEVO today (April 24) to coincide with the diva’s history-making Time cover. If you own Bey’s pioneering visual album, you already know how emotionally devastating the Melina Matsoukas-directed visual is. If you don’t, grab some tissues and prepare to get deep in your feelings.

The beauty pageant-themed mini-movie packs a hefty punch. Beyonce plays Miss 3rd Ward, a troubled contestant with an eating disorder and the simple desire to be happy. She gives a genuinely moving performance and the video delivers an important message about self-acceptance. Given that we posted the clip way back in December, I’ve pulled together the 10 most-heartbreaking moments to guide newcomers through the “Pretty Hurts” experience. Warning: there are spoilers ahead.

Here are the 10 most heartbreaking moments from the video:

1. When Bey is criticized for being overweight

Prepare to hate the pageant’s coordinator (played with flair by albino model Shaun Ross). He has the nerve to suggest Bey is carrying too much weight, which sends her on a downward spiral.

2. When Miss 3rd Ward makes herself sick

Queen Bey tries to conform to the pageant world’s unrealistic standards of beauty by making herself sick in one hard-hitting scene. Earlier in the clip, we see another contestant literally eat cotton balls.

3. When someone tries to steal Miss 3rd Ward’s hairdryer

This bitch really tried it.

4. When the other girls don’t want to hang with Beyonce

Our heroine also suffers bullying from the contestants. Obviously, they were pressed and insecure because Bey looks so much better than them.

5. When Miss 3rd Ward breaks down

The competition gets too much for Queen Bey at one point and she starts to sob. Seeing Beyonce cry is sadder than the ending of The Notebook.

6. What is your aspiration in life?

Miss 3rd Ward’s answer to this question is the best moment of the entire video.

7. When the diva gets plastic surgery

At one point Bey turns to plastic surgery to fix imperfections that don’t exist. Amazingly, she still manages to look stylish while getting injections.

8. When Miss 3rd Ward comes second

The competition was obviously rigged. Beyonce was clearly the prettiest and most talented. I’m still mad.

9. When Miss 3rd Ward realizes she lost

That look of disappointment is crushing and destined to become a meme.

10. When Bey realizes that it’s all bullshit and smashes her trophies

This is actually a moment of empowerment but it’s sad that it took Miss 3rd Ward so long to realize she doesn’t need the approval of other people and is pretty much perfect as is. Watch the video in full below.

What’s the saddest moment of “Pretty Hurts”? Let us know in the comments below.

Get an eyeful of even more pop music coverage, from artist interviews to exclusive performances, on Idolator’s YouTube channel.

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