Uglies: events and real life

In Uglies, beauty is one of the main themes. Almost all of Tally Youngblood's decisions are motivated by the desire to become pretty, and be able to fit in with other pretties for the rest of her life. This beauty, or "prettiness" comes about by having an operation.
These days, many famous and non-famous people are having cosmetic surgery, for the same reason that Tally wishes to have the operation: beauty. Those who are famous and beautiful (models, actors, singers, etc) are honoured and looked up to, even worshipped by some people. In the world of Uglies, the same thing applies to the pretties and the uglies. Tally and the uglies look up to and want to be like the pretties, who are treated better and have more privileges. It is in this way that Uglies and real life are similar.