Who decides who is beautiful and who is not? Apparently, we all do. Standards of beauty differ across cultures, but it seems human beings may possess an innate preference for symmetrical faces. But imagine living without a face. In Texas, an electrical accident leaves Dallas Wiens' face grossly disfigured, and doctors attempt the first full facial transplant ever in the U.S. He has to learn to live without eyes, nose or facial identity. In North Carolina, Nathaniel was born with a facial deformity. Developmentally, he is the same as other boys his age, but he is treated very differently - being excluded from birthday parties and often the victim of public ridicule. And in London, a modeling agency called "Ugly" shines a light on beauty prejudices and takes the insult out of the word. We'll meet successful models whose looks differ widely from culturally accepted standards of beauty.
Taboo was broadcast on SBS ONE at Friday 25 September 2020, 14:30. This episode was initially placed on Sunday 3 February 2019.