I'm currently watching Rubi (2004) and interestingly, it has been going against the representation characteristics that most telenovelas usually have.
The main character, Rubi, is two faced and lies about almost everything in order to get what she wants, making her the antagonist. Her "best friend", Maribelle, despite being rich, is the sweetheart of the show and gets the Cinderella end story: finds unconditional love, gets married, and always finds a way to move past her obstacles.
Rubi is somewhat a Cinderella because she is poor and beautiful, but definitely is not naive or good. Rubi's love interest was Alejandro, Maribelle's fiancé's best friend, who at first was kind, attractive, and wealthy. However, it was discovered that he's actually poor and becomes physically aggressive with Rubi once they break up. The second love interest, Hector, who is supposed to be the antagonist, actually takes the role of the prince. Hector is rich, a hunk, urban, and has made his fair share of mistakes. For example, he almost stops his proposal to Maribelle because his stepdad tries to convince him that she is not the woman for him because she has a disability on her leg. Rubi, once again, shows her bad side by trying to seduce Hector, her best friend's fiancé, because he has money.
Rubi does not have any form of "evil stepmother" or "ugly stepsisters". If anything, she takes on those qualities. For example, when her mother was in the hospital, because Rubi gave her a heart attack, she used that opportunity to get closer to Alejandro and Hector for their money. When her sister accepts flowers from Maribelle's limo driver, Rubi belittles her for even considering that man, and calls her all sorts of things and tells her she'll never find someone.
There hasn't been any LGBTQ+ references at all in the telenovela.
In terms of the love stories, despite the audience being against Rubi and Hector, for obvious reasons, their chemistry works so well that the audience can't help but be intrigued by their possible relationship. They are both good looking, talented, and always have tension when they are alone for a scene. He has the nice smile, and Rubi has the sad beauty element. There is a scene where Rubi is crying, sliding down the door, but she does it flawlessly, without ruining her makeup and her hair remains perfect.
-Katherine Caballero
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