--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is clear I was never the Pretty Girl…" description: "\"It is clear I was never the Pretty Girl. I had my two front teeth knocked out when I was 10 and didn't fix them until I was 19. I have a crooked smile ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e6/ellen-barkin-14080_broken_it-is-clear-i-was-never-the-pretty-girl_378311.jpg" --- # It is clear I was never the Pretty Girl. I had my two… ![“It is clear I was never the Pretty Girl. I had my two front teeth knocked out when I was 10 and didn't fix them until I was 19. I have a crooked smile and a nose that looks like it's been broken 12 times but never has been. My nose was always red, so people called me Rudolph. My whole face is…” quote by Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e6/ellen-barkin-14080_broken_it-is-clear-i-was-never-the-pretty-girl_378311.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e6/ellen-barkin-14080_broken_it-is-clear-i-was-never-the-pretty-girl_378311.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e6/ellen-barkin-14080_broken_it-is-clear-i-was-never-the-pretty-girl_378311.jpg) > “It is clear I was never the Pretty Girl. I had my two front teeth knocked out when I was 10 and didn't fix them until I was 19. I have a crooked smile and a nose that looks like it's been broken 12 times but never has been. My nose was always red, so people called me Rudolph. My whole face is off-center.” [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker acknowledges lifelong physical insecurities and how they shaped self‑perception. **In simple terms:** I never felt like a conventional beauty. Key Takeaway Accept imperfections and define self‑worth beyond looks. Themes self‑esteem body image resilience Mood reflective determined Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - personal storytelling - public speaking - mental health advocacy Key Concepts identity social perception self‑acceptance Questions to Reflect On - How do you separate self‑value from external appearance? - What steps can you take to embrace your unique features? A Different Perspective Physical appearance alone cannot dictate confidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Broken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broken/) [Called Rudolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-rudolph-3435831/) [Clear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/) [Crooked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crooked/) [Crooked Smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crooked-smile-312430/) [Crooked smiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crooked-smiles/) [Face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/face/) [Faces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faces/) [Girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/girl/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Nose Red](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nose-red-3435832/) [Noses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/noses/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pretty girl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretty-girl/) [Red](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/red/) [Rudolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rudolph/) [Rudolph Face](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rudolph-face-3435829/) [Smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smile/) [Smile Nose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smile-nose-3435830/) [Teeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teeth/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) ## Related quotes > [with his customary crooked smile, “are just too unlikely to dwell upon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/with-his-customary-crooked-smile-are-just-too-unlikely-to-dwell-upon/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [If I put faith in medication, if I can smile a crooked smile, if I can talk on television, if I can walk an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/if-i-put-faith-in-medication-if-i-can-smile-a-crooked-smile-if-i-can/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We got dreams and we got the right to chase 'em, Look at the nation, that's a crooked smile braces couldn't even straighten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole-2/we-got-dreams-and-we-got-the-right-to-chase-em-look-at-the-nation/) [J. Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole-2/) > [I had ordered long legs, but they never arrived. My eyes are weird too, one is gray and the other is green. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-seymour/i-had-ordered-long-legs-but-they-never-arrived-my-eyes-are-weird-too/) [Jane Seymour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-seymour/) > [So we forgive each other?" The crooked smile climbs up one more time. "Again?" And I look right into his eyes, right into him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/so-we-forgive-each-other-the-crooked-smile-climbs-up-one-more-time/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [“If you could smell my smile, you’d nose how bad I want to kiss you. But you can’t, and I don’t.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/if-you-could-smell-my-smile-you-d-nose-how-bad-i-want-to-kiss-you-but/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Darling stop being philosophical, it doesn’t suit you, it makes your nose red.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonora-carrington/darling-stop-being-philosophical-it-doesn-t-suit-you-it-makes-your/) [Leonora Carrington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonora-carrington/) > [I discovered early that crying makes my nose red, and the knowledge has helped me through several painful episodes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-wharton/i-discovered-early-that-crying-makes-my-nose-red-and-the-knowledge/) [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) > [I nodded. I liked Augustus Waters. I really, really, really liked him. I liked the way his story ended with someone else. I liked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-nodded-i-liked-augustus-waters-i-really-really-really-liked-him-i/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [I liked that he was a tenured professor in the Department of Slightly Crooked Smiles with a dual appointments in the Department of Having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-liked-that-he-was-a-tenured-professor-in-the-department-of-slightly/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [I liked Augustus Waters. I really, really really liked him. I liked the way his story ended with someone else. I liked his voice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-liked-augustus-waters-i-really-really-really-liked-him-i-liked-the-3/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Hey Sydney," she said, giving me a small, crooked smile as she entered the room. Her flashing, dark eyes were friendly, but they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/hey-sydney-she-said-giving-me-a-small-crooked-smile-as-she-entered/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [You're just worried they'll hire a male instructor and he'll be hotter than you." Jace's eyebrows went up. "Hotter than me?" "It could happen,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-re-just-worried-they-ll-hire-a-male-instructor-and-he-ll-be-2/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [When you stand out there," John continues in a hoarse voice, "keep your chin up, all right? Don't let them get to you." "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-lu/when-you-stand-out-there-john-continues-in-a-hoarse-voice-keep-your/) [Marie Lu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-lu/) > [Happy birthday," he sighed, and leaned down to touch his lips to mine. I reached up on my toes to make the kiss last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/happy-birthday-he-sighed-and-leaned-down-to-touch-his-lips-to-mine-i/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) ## More by Ellen Barkin > [There is a certain androgyny to my appeal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/there-is-a-certain-androgyny-to-my-appeal/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) > [You've got a movie where the pro-choice family gives their daughter no choice. The pro-life family murders. What seems to be the good mother,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/you-ve-got-a-movie-where-the-pro-choice-family-gives-their-daughter/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) > [I just would never go audition, and yet I was in very visible places where people would come looking for actors. I say I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/i-just-would-never-go-audition-and-yet-i-was-in-very-visible-places/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) > [It's no stretch to picture me standing next to Al Pacino or Robert De Niro. Those are ethnic New York men. I'm an ethnic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/it-s-no-stretch-to-picture-me-standing-next-to-al-pacino-or-robert-de/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) > [I am to a fault an introspective person. But I am not a reflective person - except for a big mistake, and then I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/i-am-to-a-fault-an-introspective-person-but-i-am-not-a-reflective/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) > [No more bare bodies in film scenes for me. For my children's sake, I must stop. The other kids at school keep throwing it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/no-more-bare-bodies-in-film-scenes-for-me-for-my-children-s-sake-i/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) > [I'm tenacious, I think - I know - and I do also have a quality where if you tell me I can't do something,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/i-m-tenacious-i-think-i-know-and-i-do-also-have-a-quality-where-if/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) > [The way Hollywood portrays mothers - you're either all good and saint-like, or you're all bad. And I think the real honesty of motherhood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/the-way-hollywood-portrays-mothers-you-re-either-all-good-and-saint/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) > [You can't go back again, even if you wanted to. But you can own your own life, mistakes and all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/you-can-t-go-back-again-even-if-you-wanted-to-but-you-can-own-your/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) > [I'm a little more extreme than a homebody. Unless there's some event I really have to go to, I don't like to leave my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/i-m-a-little-more-extreme-than-a-homebody-unless-there-s-some-event-i/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) > [Men who love their mothers treat women wonderfully. And they have enormous respect for women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/men-who-love-their-mothers-treat-women-wonderfully-and-they-have/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) > [My nickname was Skinabo - skin and bones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/my-nickname-was-skinabo-skin-and-bones/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) > [I remember my first friend who got sick. It was 1981, and the disease was called the gay cancer. I don't think the word…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/i-remember-my-first-friend-who-got-sick-it-was-1981-and-the-disease/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) > [I'm just curious, who's more fit to raise a child? A loving committed same-sex couple or an unmarried 15-year-old with no income and really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/i-m-just-curious-who-s-more-fit-to-raise-a-child-a-loving-committed/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) > [I have huge hands and feet. I'm 5'6" and wear a size 10 shoe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-barkin/i-have-huge-hands-and-feet-i-m-5-6-and-wear-a-size-10-shoe/) [Ellen Barkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) [Explore all 48 Ellen Barkin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-barkin/) ## More Broken quotes > [Broken by hardships, disappointments and tragedy, people can become discouraged and cynical. But lives can also be mended. Put back together well, they won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-goodier/broken-by-hardships-disappointments-and-tragedy-people-can-become/) [Steve Goodier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-goodier/) > [You don't want to fix things that aren't broken, so that kind of stops you from make changes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-weidman/you-don-t-want-to-fix-things-that-aren-t-broken-so-that-kind-of-stops/) [Chris Weidman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-weidman/) > [How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/how-else-but-through-a-broken-heart-may-lord-christ-enter-in/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [The worst advice? 'Don't listen to the critics.' I think that you really ought to listen to the critics, because sometimes they're telling you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-worst-advice-don-t-listen-to-the-critics-i-think-that-you-really/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Marriage is a desperate thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-selden/marriage-is-a-desperate-thing/) [John Selden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-selden/) > [The child who ran weeping to you with a cut finger is now brought home, smiling gamely, with a broken collarbone and incredible contusions-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-brown/the-child-who-ran-weeping-to-you-with-a-cut-finger-is-now-brought/) [Pam Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-brown/) > [There is no pain like the first time you get your heart broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ne-yo/there-is-no-pain-like-the-first-time-you-get-your-heart-broken/) [Ne-Yo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ne-yo/) > [Broken china lasts longer than unbroken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-renard/broken-china-lasts-longer-than-unbroken/) [Jules Renard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-renard/) > [My life was incoherent to me. I felt it quivering, spitting out broken teeth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-fox/my-life-was-incoherent-to-me-i-felt-it-quivering-spitting-out-broken/) [Paula Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-fox/) > [Don't fix what's not broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-atkins/don-t-fix-what-s-not-broken/) [Robert Atkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-atkins/) > [“ving self and others is an every second of every day of every week, of every month, of every year gift that should not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjo-jendayi/ving-self-and-others-is-an-every-second-of-every-day-of-every-week-of/) [Sanjo Jendayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjo-jendayi/) > [Your head's like mine, like all our heads; big enough to contain every god and devil there ever was. Big enough to hold the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-morrison/your-head-s-like-mine-like-all-our-heads-big-enough-to-contain-every/) [Grant Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-morrison/) > [Rome, believe me, my friend, is like its own Monte Testaceo, Merelya marvellous mass of broken and castaway wine-pots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hugh-clough/rome-believe-me-my-friend-is-like-its-own-monte-testaceo-merelya/) [Arthur Hugh Clough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hugh-clough/) > [Its funny how someone breaks your heart but you still love them with all those broken pieces..!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/its-funny-how-someone-breaks-your-heart-but-you-still-love-them-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When we don't get what we want, there's a legitimate grieving, and then the spiritual journey truly begins, because not getting what we want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-nepo/when-we-don-t-get-what-we-want-there-s-a-legitimate-grieving-and-then/) [Mark Nepo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-nepo/) [Browse all 5,851 Broken quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broken/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is clear I was never the Pretty Girl. 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