In the early days of the internet, social media was just beginning to take shape and one of the more notorious platforms was a website called Face The Jury. I joined it in like 2001-2002 with no idea of the chaos that awaited me. The premise was simple yet shallow: users rated each other's appearances, creating a toxic environment where beauty was both celebrated and mercilessly critiqued.
When I found myself listed among the top girls, I was initially flattered. But that excitement quickly turned into a whirlwind of negativity. The comments from self-loathing individuals were harsh and often cruel.
"Ewww, she looks nasty!" "She’s so ugly and gross!" "She looks like a tranny!” She’s fat!"
These were the words hurled directed at me by people who, ironically, often fit the very descriptions they used to insult me. Profiles filled with insecurity and bitterness seemed to be the norm, with some users even resorting to impersonating me to spread their vitriol. I used my name as my profile before noticing several accounts using my identity. I was forced to make a sign to prove I was real so they would delete the fake profiles. One of the self loathing women who went by Sugarhit who claimed to be from Los Angeles would literally impersonate me to talk to men on the platform and then go and post in the forum to say nasty things about my appearance. So weird.
Among the chaos, notable figures like Jeffree Star made their mark on the platform, frequently posting in the general forum. His presence added a layer of drama to an already tumultuous space. He was an emo kid at the time and had bright pink hair. His username was Cunt. People would bash him and he didn’t give a shit. As I reflect on those days, I realize how shallow the website was, yet it also introduced me to some incredible people, like Robin Arcuri, Kyle Baxter, George Soto, and Dan Ferraro.
One particularly disturbing aspect of my experience was the relentless impersonation by jealous women. My memory seems to be on fire tonight. I remember one woman, who took it to the extreme by using my identity to spread hateful comments in the forums, ultimately faced the consequences of her actions years later when she went to prison for a horrific crime of murdering her own children. It’s a chilling reminder of the dark side of online interactions and the archetype of subhuman behavior that thrived on Face The Jury. She hated me before she’s evil. Evil people hate me.
Today, I find myself thriving, far removed from the negativity that once consumed me. At least there. The website, which once felt like a significant part of my life during 2002 into 2003, eventually became a waste of time. I deleted my account, realizing in 2004 I think because it offered nothing beneficial to my life or personal growth. MySpace soon emerged, overshadowing Face The Jury, which faded into obscurity and ultimately became defunct.
It’s fascinating how few people discuss Face The Jury anymore, as if it never existed. It’s never discussed. The chaos, the drama, the deception, and the shallow judgments seem to have been forgotten, leaving behind only memories of a chaotic chapter in the evolution of social media. While I look back on those days with a mix of nostalgia and disbelief, I’m grateful for the lessons learned and the friendships made. In the end, I emerged stronger, a testament to the resilience that often comes from facing the jury of public opinion.
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