Lux Pascal Joins The Beauty as Scientist Clara 

Lux Pascal discusses her “fairytale” transformation and Ryan Murphy’s debut in FX’s The Beauty.

Lux Pascal Joins The Beauty

In a television landscape defined by the “gnarly goo” and violent convulsions of Ryan Murphy’s latest body-horror hit, The Beauty, Lux Pascal’s entrance feels less like a nightmare and more like a fever dream.

While previous episodes have treated physical transformation as a traumatic, plasma-covered rebirth, Episode 6 offers a rare, shimmering respite.

For Pascal, who plays the scientist Clara, the role isn’t just a guest spot—it is a poignant exploration of identity, longing, and the literal realization of one’s truest self.

The Corporate Flashback 

Episode 6 pulls back the curtain on the corporate machinery of Byron Frost (Ashton Kutcher). We see the “body miracle drug” before it became a societal contagion, housed within the sterile walls of Frost’s laboratory.

It is here that Mike (Eddie Kaye Thomas) and Clara (initially played by Rev Yolanda) decide to take their destinies into their own hands.

Motivated by social anxiety and gender transition difficulties, the duo chooses to become their own test subjects, a decision that eventually unleashes the virus upon the world.

The Anatomy of Euphoria 

What sets Clara’s transformation apart is its lack of trauma. While characters like Jordan Bennett and Jeremy endure horrific, cocoon-like cycles, Clara simply wakes up.

Pascal takes over the role in a moment of quiet, naked revelation in front of a bedroom mirror. “It’s kind of beautiful that someone gets this gift without the hardship because this person has had a hard enough time in her life,” Pascal told PEOPLE.

This suggests a fascinating internal logic to the virus: perhaps it reacts differently to those whose “inner vision” of themselves is already crystallized. For Clara, the drug didn’t “confuse” her identity; it mapped it perfectly.

A Career in the Making 

Lux Pascal’s arrival in the Ryan Murphy universe was no accident. Despite a burgeoning resume—including a role in Miss Carbón and a stint alongside her brother, Pedro Pascal, in Narcos—she had been auditioning for Murphy for years.

The persistence paid off with a personal, heartfelt message from the creator himself during the editing process.

Pascal’s comfort with the show’s frequent nudity stems from her background in live dance, a history she describes as making her “bulletproof” against the vulnerabilities of the set.

Lean into the Genre

• Embrace the Contrast: Actors often fear being overshadowed by special effects. Pascal’s advice? Use the “fairytale” moments to anchor the horror. By playing the joy of the transformation rather than the fear of the virus, she creates a more memorable, haunting performance.
• The Professional Shield: Pascal highlights the importance of a “clean and professional” set. For aspiring actors, her experience proves that being “game for anything” requires a foundation of safety and mutual respect with the production team.

Key Takeaways from Episode 6

• Clara’s Identity: The drug successfully recognized Clara’s “true female self,” leading to a peaceful transition.
• The Virus Origins: We now know the drug spread due to the internal dysmorphia and desperation of Frost’s own technicians.
• Lux Pascal’s Impact: Her performance has been singled out by Ryan Murphy as a highlight of the season’s finalized edits.

The Beauty continues to air Wednesdays on FX, with streaming available on Hulu.

As the series progresses, the “lethal” nature of this beauty virus looms, but for one episode, Lux Pascal allowed audiences to believe in a fairytale.