The main reason she was even given the job of assistant to the director of Mode Magazine was because of her looks. Mogul Bradford Meade knew that Betty's looks wouldn't be "disruptive" to her job, which was apparently a problem with other assistants. Of course, this becomes the main arc of the show and of Betty's growth as a character.
America and Betty
Ugly Betty was popular before social media was a trend. A lot of viewers were always shocked to see America Ferrera in reality. After all, she played the role of Ugly Betty so well that it was impossible to tell if she was real or not!