I personally think Tilly is the least photogenic lead since DeForrest back in TOS, and it feels a bit notable because usually the leads are shiny. Whether that’s because Hollywood, or because Idealised future, well that’s a different convo. To clarify, I don’t really look at heavy alien make-up leads, though I didn’t fancy Neelix either.
Commenting on the leads appearance seems to be OK if it’s all positive, and I am pretty sure, somewhere out there, there are people all gooey eyed (I said eyes.) about Ash or Lorca or Stamets. Tilly seems to have her admirers out in force atm.
Me...I laugh at the jokes that arise from her character, but she seems to be pretty much an annoying comic relief character. Which puts her back in the Neelix box.
My previous ‘least photogenic since De’ holders include The Doctor, Chakotay, Miles O’Brien...the TNG crew were pretty much all photogenic. And they all have their salivating fanbases too I am sure.
It’s a thing with TV and film actors and actresses, has been since before they had sound. As long as no one is actually full on nasty about it, I don’t see what the point is. This is a job where in many cases ‘attractiveness’ is often part of the job (or you get lumped in as ‘character actor’ and people having ‘leading man’ ‘leading lady’ looks is definitely a thing.) so *shrug*
I actually think L’rell is prettier in or out or make-up, and I don’t even like the new Klingons.
It is quite telling that some of the stills on twitter and stuff often run a beauty pass on shots with Tilly in. But that’s society for you.
None of which is really a comment on the actress, just Trek casting traditions really. I haven’t really seen enough of her to judge her acting (as a viewer with limited acting knowledge) but am not a fan of Tilly.
As a totally aside, did Culbertson actor really call himself and Rapp ‘Space Poufs’in The after show? I was flicking through to see the preview, and that (including him pronouncing the word wrong) took me by surprise but my ears may have tricked me. That show is a mess of noise after all.