Ashton Kutcher Clarifies Inspiration Behind Villainous Role in FX/Hulu’s The Beauty

Key Points

• Ashton Kutcher stars as “The Corporation” in Ryan Murphy’s FX/Hulu series The Beauty.
• Kutcher confirmed the character is not inspired by Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg, despite fan speculation.
• The role was written specifically for Kutcher by Murphy, exploring themes of wealth, vanity, and power.
• The series examines society’s obsession with beauty, drugs like Ozempic, and the rise of AI.
• Isabella Rossellini co-stars as Franny Forst, the troubled wife of Kutcher’s character.

Kutcher Addresses Comparisons to Tech Billionaires

Ashton Kutcher has spoken out about speculation surrounding his villainous role in FX/Hulu’s The Beauty. Fans had drawn parallels between his character, known as The Corporation, and real-life tech moguls such as Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kutcher dismissed the comparisons. “This guy’s nothing like Mark,” he said. Addressing Musk, he added: “This is not based on Elon Musk. He might be the closest in wealth… but it’s not based on him.”

Kutcher emphasized that the character was not modeled on any single individual. Instead, he sought to capture the aura of people in positions of immense power, describing them as having “so much at their disposal that it appears as if everything they’re doing has this effortlessness to it.”

Inside The Beauty

Kutcher’s character, The Corporation, controls a trillion-dollar empire and introduces a drug called “The Beauty,” which promises extreme youth and attractiveness. The series opens with him aboard a luxury yacht in Croatia, living a life of excess.

The drug’s dangerous side effects mirror his chaotic personal life, particularly his strained relationship with his wife, Franny Forst, played by Isabella Rossellini.

Ryan Murphy’s Vision

Kutcher revealed that co-creator Ryan Murphy wrote the role specifically for him. “You are this character and I want you to play it,” Murphy told him. The series was pitched around questions of modern beauty culture, referencing GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, and the extremes people pursue in the name of perfection.

A Departure From Comedy

Known for his comedic roles, Kutcher described The Beauty as a challenging departure. “It’s a fun challenge to try to justify what appear to be absolutely unjustifiable decisions,” he explained. “That becomes this mental gymnastics that you have to play.”

He also reflected on the show’s broader themes, linking them to artificial intelligence. “What happens when we commoditize intelligence? What becomes the most important thing? Is it kindness? Is it empathy? Or is it beauty?”

What Happens Next?

With The Beauty now streaming on FX and Hulu, Kutcher’s performance as The Corporation is drawing attention for its dark exploration of vanity, wealth, and power. As audiences debate the parallels between fiction and reality, the series positions itself as one of Ryan Murphy’s most provocative projects to date.