Interviewer stared at candidate's upper-lip pimple at least 5 times. Next morning, their rejection email mentioned 'pride in appearance'
Riyana could not believe what the smoothie bar wrote in the email
Having a big zit on your face is not ideal on an important day, but it's not permanent. However, where Riyana (@iloveicecreamalot16) applied for a job, it was considered a major setback. In a July 21, 2026, TikTok video, she shared that she was rejected from a smoothie bar job because of a pimple on her upper lip. She had worked in restaurants before and had ample experience and was confident they would hire her. However, a day later, she received an email that subtly highlighted her pimple a factor in the hiring decision. The video has so far received 3.5 million views, 191,400 likes, and 757 comments.
Apologized for a pimple
On the day of her interview, Riyana woke up with a "fat" pimple on her face. She posted a video on TikTok that went viral (35.1 million views), asking netizens for advice. People suggested she turn it into a mole, use a face mask, or use a pimple patch, but nothing worked, so she attended the interview regardless. The moment she met the interviewer, she noticed his eyes immediately went to the "giant pimple" on her upper lip.
She explained, "Usually when I talk to someone, I can't keep eye contact... I know you have to make eye contact in an interview, but I just can't. So when I was looking this way, I could see from my peripheral vision that he was looking at the pimple. Like, he looked down at it at least five times." She apologized for the pimple even though she didn't have to. He laughed and told her not to worry.
'Specific aesthetic'
After the interview, Riyana thought she did well and had a good feeling about it. "I know how to make smoothies and stuff. I have lots of restaurant experience, so I for sure thought I was gonna get the job," she said. In her previous video asking for advice, a few mentioned that physical appearance was a factor at interviews, and "some people get rejected if they have something gross on their face."
Pimples were temporary, and she thought the interviewer would understand. However, she received an email the next day stating they rejected her, indicating they take "pride in appearance." The email read, "Our team prides itself on maintaining a very specific aesthetic and professional presence during all operational hours, as we work in an environment where visual presentation and food hygiene are central to the customer experience." Riyana admitted the pimple was "disgusting," but getting rejected for it was a tad too much.
Judged by the face
Physical appearances do matter in the workplace, and sadly, people with acne have to pay a certain price. A study by Ali Shields, cited by The New York Post, found that 65% of employers prefer to hire someone with clear skin, compared to 50% who do not mind hiring someone with severe acne. A 2020 JDP survey found that 88% of respondents believed appearance had the power to influence other people's perceptions about their competence. 86% believed it was important to look physically attractive in an interview, and 54% worried that their appearance would cost them their job.
Pimple gone now
Viewers were astounded that Riyana was rejected over a pimple. @cherrylime64 commented, "They did not have to include the aesthetic part. They're messy for that." @bytonyalee explained, "Early, but as soon as I heard it was a smoothie bar, I knew you would’ve gotten rejected. I rejected someone from working with me because they had some bit of dirt under their nails. Hygiene is super important in the food industry."
You can follow Riyana (@iloveicecreamalot16) on TikTok for more lifestyle and food content.
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