I Know How Jessica Feels, It's Tough Being Pretty

Just like Jessica Biel, having natural good looks has been a mixed blessing for Dawn Cousins...

- Sarah Holmes And Joe Mellor

How wonderful it must feel to be gorgeous, to turn heads and know you’re admired for the beauty you were lucky enough to inherit.

Unless you’re Jessica Biel, who claims being pretty isn’t as beneficial as us mere mortals believe it to be. In May 2009, the actress revealed that her appearance ‘really is a problem’, and believes she missed out on potential film roles as a result of being too good looking (said film roles were handed to other equally beautiful actresses, nonetheless). ‘If you don’t like the audition, don’t hire me! But if you don’t even want to see me, that’s hurtful,’ she said.

One woman who can relate to Jessica is Dawn Cousins, 44, who claims her good looks are the reason she’s still single and unable to find true love. Here, she tells her story...

Walking up to the bar, I could practically feel the men turning to stare. From fresh faced youngsters to desperate divorcees, I knew what they were thinking – how they’d love to have a girl like me on their arm. And who could blame them? I look hot. But while having men fall at your feet thanks to your good looks might sound great, it’s more of a curse.

At 44, with four grown-up children, I’m over being someone’s trophy girl, but men my age or older say they can’t trust me because of my looks.

Loving the attention