- Primary Subject: Ashton Kutcher in The Beauty
- Key Update: Ashton Kutcher has revealed whether Elon Musk was the inspiration for his villainous billionaire role in The Beauty.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: January 22, 2026
- Quick Answer: Ashton Kutcher clarified that his role as "The Corporation" isn't based on Elon Musk, but rather the collective, "effortless" power of the world's wealthiest billionaires.
One of the biggest questions that fans have regarding the new series, The Beauty, is whether Elon Musk was the inspiration for Ashton Kutcher's villainous character.
After three years of absence, Kutcher is back on the screen with a major role in the new Ryan Murphy series The Beauty, where he plays the role of The Corporation, the mysterious CEO who unleashes a super drug that promises its takers unimaginable physical attractiveness and youth. However, fans have noticed the character's resemblance to the Tesla CEO and other well-known billionaires.
Is Elon Musk the Main Inspiration for Ashton Kutcher's Character in The Beauty?
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kutcher addressed the speculations that his character in The Beauty is inspired by Musk.
He shot down the rumors that the Tesla CEO was his main inspiration for The Corporation and explained that it is based on the general idea of the powerful billionaires that we're seeing in the world.
"This guy’s nothing like Mark [Zuckerberg]. Some people have asked me about Elon Musk, and this is not based on Elon Musk. He might be the closest in wealth. I think The Corporation is the richest person in the world. Maybe Elon will be second — but after Starlink goes public, he might go back to first," the actor said with a laugh.
"But it’s not based on him. It’s not based on any individual. There’s an air about people in very powerful positions — they have so much at their disposal that it appears as if everything they’re doing has this effortlessness to it. I hope to imbue that on camera."
Kutcher also explained how the series deals with larger questions about perfection and sacrifice, especially with the rise of AI technology.
"We went from a world where the most valued thing was brute force, because that allowed you to do more work. Then the industrial revolution happened, and now we have the knowledge economy. What happens when we commoditize intelligence? What becomes the most important thing? Is it kindness? Is it empathy? Or is it beauty?" he said. "That’s a very poignant question, and that’s the subject of the show. In the hands of a master, it comes up masterfully."
What is The Beauty About?
In The Beauty, when international supermodels begin dying in gruesome and mysterious ways, FBI Agents Cooper Madsen and Jordan Bennett uncover a conspiracy that threatens the future of humanity. The investigation leads them directly into the crosshairs of "The Corporation," who will stop at nothing to protect his trillion-dollar empire.
The main cast includes Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, Ashton Kutcher, and Rebecca Hall. It also bolsters a star-studded guest cast, including Amelia Gray Hamlin, Ari Graynor, Bella Hadid, Ben Platt, Billy Eichner, Isabella Rossellini, Jaquel Spivey, Jessica Alexander, Jon Jon Briones, John Carroll Lynch, Julie Halston, Lux Pascal, Meghan Trainor, Nicola Peltz Beckham, Peter Gallagher, and Vincent D'Onofrio.
The first three episodes were recently released on FX and Hulu. The first season consists of 11 episodes and will have a weekly release until March 4.
Keep it locked on Epicstream, your go-to site for film, TV, and celebrity coverage!