In the superficial world of high fashion, image is everything. Styles come and go, and the only constants are the superthin beauties who wear them. How can an ordinary girl a slightly plump plain-Jane from Queens possibly fit in?

If you took a moment to get to know Betty Suarez (America Ferrera), youd see how sweet, intelligent and hard-working she is. But few people do, because in the world of high fashion, Betty is the oversized peg in the petite round hole.

When publishing mogul Bradford Meade (Alan Dale ) hands the reins of Mode, the bible of the fashion industry, over to this son, Daniel (Eric Mabius), he specifically hires Betty as his sons new assistant mostly because shes the only woman in NYC Daniel wont sleep with. Though this player is reluctant to accept her at first, Bettys indomitable spirit and bright ideas will eventually win him over. Neither of them really knows the ins and outs of the fashion world, but the two are a formidable team against those who will do anything to see them fall.

And they really are swimming with the sharks. Diva fashionista Wilhelmina Slater (Vanessa Williams) is incensed that Bradford Meade passed her over and promoted Daniel to the coveted job after the mysterious death (or was it?) of Modes legendary editress, Fey Sommers. Wilhelmina, along with toadying assistant Marc (Michael Urie) and scheming receptionist Amanda (Becki Newton), are out to sabotage Betty any chance they get. Betty finds a friend in warm-hearted Christina (Ashley Jensen), who works as the magazines in-house seamstress and seems to know everything about everybody who works there.

Away from work, Bettys home life is far from glamorous. Dad Ignacio (Tony Plana) and her sister, Hilda (Ana Ortiz), worry that shes just setting herself up for a fall, while nephew Justin (Mark Indelicato) encourages his aunt to dream big (even if hes aghast at her fashion sense). Nerdy boyfriend Walter (Kevin Sussman), who unceremoniously dumped Betty, keeps turning up despite her attempts to get him to stay away.

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