History Main / LoveInterestVsLustInterest

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie'': Mario and Bowser are respectively this to Peach. While he is astonished by her beauty when he first meets her, Mario never tries to (intentionally) win her heart, focused more on rescuing his brother Luigi, and ends up falling in love with her for her kindness, empathy, and supportiveness. Mario also treats her as a person and an equal and cares about what she wants: for example, when she expresses interest in Mario's world, he invites her to come visit Brooklyn so he can show her around. Bowser, on the other hand, only likes her for her "heart-shaped bangs, the way she floats in the breeze, her immovable tiara", treats her as nothing more than a prize to be won, and even threatens to destroy the Mushroom Kingdom and even her should she refuse to marry him. He also doesn't care about what she wants: he geniunely believes that she would like innocent people being sacrificed, and when she shows that this is not the case, he doesn't hesitate to try and kill her. It's no wonder Peach would be repulsed by Bowser and ends up liking Mario far more than she'll ever like Bowser.

Compare ChildishVillainMatureHero. Often overlaps with the BettyAndVeronica trope, where the "Betty" is often the Love Interest while the "Veronica" is typically the Lust Interest. Similarly, works that use the MadonnaWhoreComplex often have the "Madonna" being the Love Interest and the "Whore" being the Lust Interest. This trope can overlap with UglyHeroGoodLookingVillain if the shallow person is more superficially appealing than their rival. See also IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy, NotWithThemForTheMoney, TrueBeautyIsOnTheInside, and ActOfTrueLove for tropes that are often expressed by the Love Interest. See BeautyIsBad, InLoveWithLove, LustObject, {{Lust}}, and LovingAShadow for tropes that are often expressed by the Lust Interest.

* When trying to woo someone, a shallow person has to rely on superficial qualities such as [[BeautyIsBad looks]], [[RichBitch money]], or [[ScrewThisIndexIHaveTropes status]] to win people over, as they possess little, if any, genuinely likable traits; in contrast, the loving person will try to be likable as a person even if they aren't impressive on the outside. Expect the shallow person to be [[EvilCannotComprehendGood shocked and/or confused]], when their superficial traits end up falling short in comparison to more meaningful qualities.

** [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v64paZ2wHFo&pp=ygUlZXRyYSBjaGFuIHNhdyBpdCBoaWdoIHNjaG9vbCByZXVuaW9uIA%3D%3D Yuzuriha and Tsutsuji]] are the Lust and Love Interest for Tokusa respectively; back in middle school, [[AlphaBitch Yuziriha]] rejected and made fun of Tokusa for being [[TinySchoolboy short]] and having a [[OlderThanTheyLook babyface]], while Tsutsuji, who received similar treatment for [[HugeSchoolgirl being tall]] was interested in him because of his [[SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan kind-hearted personality]]. During the class reunion, [[GoldDigger Yuziriha]] tries flirting with Tokusa when she sees that he's handsome and rich. When Tokusa rejects her and reveals that he's engaged to Tsutsuji, Yuzuriha is [[EvilCannotComprehendGood confused that he'd choose a less attractive girl over her]], showing that she's the same shallow girl she was in middle school.

** In stories that feature an [[UglyHeroGoodLookingVillain an ugly protagonist and a good-looking antagonist]], the antagonist will often attempt to steal the protagonist's lover via their looks and sex appeal, with their attraction being based on a [[{{Sadist}} desire to hurt the protagonist]], the lover's looks and/or [[GoldDigger money]], or [[OffendedByAnInferiorsSuccess offense that an ugly person could get married before them]] rather than actual feelings for the lover. In stories where the antagonist succeeds in stealing away the lover, they are quick to abandon or cheat on their new partner when something better comes along, especially if the protagonist has found a new, better lover for them to steal. If the antagonist fails, they will often express [[EvilCannotComprehendGood confusion and disbelief that a person would rather stay faithful to an ugly person rather than cheat with a more attractive person]]. Meanwhile, the protagonist is always indifferent to their lover's status, money, and looks, and chooses them based on their personalities, only leaving them due to serious reasons such as infidelity, abuse, laziness, etc rather than fickle desire.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDameDisney'': Just like the book the film is based on, Quasimodo is attracted to Esmerelda because she was the first person outside the Cathedral of Notre Dame to be nice to him and see him as a person, while Judge Claude Frollo lusts for her as a sexual object. While Quasimodo does suffer a case of LovingAShadow, once he sees that she loves Phoebus, he is heartbroken [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy but chooses to bless her relationship with Phoebus]]. Frollo blames Esmerelda for making him feel lust for her, orders a manhunt for her, burns down Paris just to find her, and attempts to execute her when she refuses to be his mistress. Phoebus was the only person to love her for who she really is and combined with his noble qualities and choosing to defy Frollo to do the right thing, is what earns him Esmerelda's love.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Megamind}}'': Megamind and Hal Stewart are this respectively to Roxanne. While Megamind's relationship with Roxanne did start out as a lie (since he was impersonating Bernard at the time), he actually does get to know her as a person, and when she rejects him upon finding out the truth, Megamind is heartbroken but chooses to respect her wishes. Hal on the other hand believes that having superpowers will mean Roxanne will automatically fall for him once he saves her life, but when she rejects him after he recklessly endangers her life, he turns to evil, goes on a rampage around Metro City, and tries to murder Roxanne for refusing his advances.

* ''Literature/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame'': Esméralda is loved by Quasimodo and lusted after by Quasimodo's benefactor Frollo, creating a deadly conflict between the two men. What's worse, she is oblivious to both of their feelings and instead falls for Captain Phoebus, who sleeps with her, then abandons her to be hanged for a crime she did not commit (Phoebus is thus an Opportunistic Lust Interest).

* ''Fanfic/DannyPhantomStranded'': Colette is the Lust Interest to [[CainAndAbel her sister]] Star's Love Interest; Colette would often [[SerialHomewrecker steal Star's boyfriends]] for the sake of [[SeductionAsOneUpmanship one-upping her sister]] and dump them when she gets bored. When she sees that Star's new boyfriend Danny is loyal, she becomes obsessed with trying to steal him away, not because she's genuinely interested in him, but because [[ILoveYouBecauseICantControlYou she enjoys the challenge of seducing a guy who resists her]]. Meanwhile, Star is serious about her relationship with Danny, unlike Colette who views relationships as a game. In addition, while Danny is unpopular, Star is okay with that, as she chose to be with Danny for his [[SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan kind-hearted personality]] rather than his status. In contrast, Colette [[ICanChangeMyBeloved desires to shape Danny into someone popular after she steals him]], showing that she cares more about status than love.

** [[AlphaBitch Paulina]] is the Lust Interest to Danny's various girlfriends; in most of the spinoffs, [[FairWeatherFoe she looks down on Danny until she finds out that he's Danny Phantom, her superhero crush; after that she obsessively pursues him]]. Meanwhile, Danny's girlfriends like him before they find out he's a superhero. In addition, Paulina's only positive quality is her physical beauty, and Danny's girlfriends, while only slightly less attractive than Paulina at worst, possess likable personalities alongside their good looks.
** Bonnie in ''TMDDF: After Many Dates: Danny and Kim '' is a lot like Paulina in that she only "likes" Danny ''after'' finding out he's a superhero; before that she thinks that Danny is just a loser and makes fun of Kim for dating him. Kim, by contrast, liked him long before she found out his secret.

[[/folder]]
----
\\\
[[center:❤️ vs. 🧡]]

-->'''Adachi:''' Is there anything other than that?
-->'''Ichikawa:''' ''(thinking)'' There are plenty of things!

* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': In the comics for a while, the love interest was Mary Jane and the lust interest was Black Cat. Peter prefers women who are interested in Peter, not Spider-Man. Black Cat is an adrenaline junkie and AntiVillain who only cares about Spider-Man, she couldn't be less interested in Peter Parker. In some continuities (like the '90s cartoon) her civilian identity Felicia Hardy actually liked Peter before her transformation.

--> '''Shizuru:''' I did not think you would actually be fool enough to try this. Did you think that, since she refused your advances, you would force them on her after bartering with me? Did you think I could not see your intentions from a mile away? Indeed, if that is so, you were wrong. Yes, you were planning to do that to her, were you not? Such base intent, really.

* In the ''Manga/{{Metamorphosis}}'' fanfic ''Fanfic/TheIndescribableMomentsOfOurLives'', protagonist [[OriginalCharacter Shin Kurata]] falls in love with Saki Yoshida for who she is as a person and wants the best for her, whereas her boyfriend, Hayato, is a playboy who is interested in Saki for her body and the money she can bring him, and has no problem drugging and abusing her. Eventually, Saki splits with Hayato after Shin defends her from him and becomes Shin's girlfriend for the rest of the story, and he helps her heal from her trauma while working out some of his own insecurities with her help.
* In the ''Film/Ghostbusters1984'' fanfic ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/36697498/chapters/91542052?view_adult=true It Was Written on Their Wrists in the Stars]]'', both Peter and Egon are interested in the [[OriginalCharacter nameless protagonist]], but in Peter's case it's only because he finds her attractive and is very horny.

-->'''Gloria:''' Melman, I gotta know... Did you mean those things you said about me?
-->'''Melman:''' Of course I did.
-->'''Gloria:''' That's crazy.
-->'''Melman:''' It is?
-->'''Gloria:''' It's crazy to think I had to go halfway around the world... to find out the perfect guy for me lived right next door.
-->'''Melman:''' Then it's you and me, neighbor. You and me for the next 18 hours.
-->'''Gloria:''' I'll take whatever you got.

-->'''Christine:''' Dan, you saved my life!
-->'''Harry:''' Miss Sullivan, he felt you up!

* ''WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDameDisney'': Just like the book the film is based on, Quasimodo is attracted to Esmerelda because she was the first person outside the Cathedral of Notre Dame to be nice to him and see him as a person, while Judge Claude Frollo lusts for her as a sexual object. While Quasimodo does suffer a case of LovingAShadow, once he sees that she loves Phoebus, he is heartbroken [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy but chooses to bless her relationship with Phoebus]]. Frollo blames Esmerelda for making him feel lust for her, orders a manhunt for her burns down Paris just to find her, and attempts to execute her when she refuses to be his mistress. Phoebus was the only person to love her for who she really is and combined with his noble qualities and choosing to defy Frollo to do the right thing, is what earns him Esmerelda's love.

** If the target was once unattractive, but later becomes attractive, the Lust Interest will only take interest in someone after they become attractive, while the Love Interest will have taken interest before they became attractive. Alternatively, if the beautiful person loses their looks, expect the shallow party to immediately lose interest while their rival will remain in love.

** If the rich person [[RichesToRags loses their money]], expect the shallow person to lose interest, while their rival doesn't care. Similarly, a shallow person will have no problems trying to get with someone they disliked if said disliked person [[RagsToRiches becomes rich]], while the non-shallow person won't change their feelings based on money.
* When it comes to popularity, a shallow person will have no problems dating someone they don't like for popularity, and will similarly have no qualms about dumping their partner when said partner proves to be a liability for their PR. Meanwhile, the truly loving party has no problems with their reputation taking a hit to be with the one they love.
* When it comes to loyalty, a shallow person will cheat on their partner if they can get away with it, and will dump them for someone "better" if the opportunity arises or if they get bored. Meanwhile, a true lover would never think of cheating, and wouldn't dump their partner for petty, self-serving reasons.
* When trying to woo someone, a shallow person has to rely on superficial qualities such as [[BeautyIsBad looks]], [[RichBitch money]], or status to win people over, as they possess little, if any, likable traits; in contrast, the loving person will try to be likable as a person even if they aren't impressive on the outside. Expect the shallow person to be [[EvilCannotComprehendGood shocked and confused]], when their superficial traits end up falling short in comparison to more meaningful qualities.

Typically, stories that use this dynamic end with the object of pursuit getting with the person who treated them like a person, while the shallow person ends up receiving some form of [[LaserGuidedKarma karma]] for their superficial attitude. If the shallow person does end up winning the target of their affections, expect the relationship to be miserable and/or short, as a relationship built on shallow qualities is incapable of sustaining itself. In contrast, the relationship based on genuine love will be much happier and fulfilling, as it is based on more meaningful qualities rather than superficial ones. One exception is the {{netorare}} genre, in which the shallow character is the one who ends up beating the loving character in the end; the basic premise of most works in this genre involves a good man who treats his girlfriend/wife/crush with respect and kindness having his partner stolen from him by a scumbag who treats the girl like a sex object rather than a romantic partner. In addition, the good guy is portrayed as a pathetic loser for being [[LousyLoversAreLosers bad in bed]] due to his [[TeenyWeenie smaller manhood]] and "Beta Male" behavior, the scumbag is portrayed as a ChickMagnet and/or a SexGod due to his [[BiggerIsBetterInBed larger endowment]] and "Alpha Male" behavior, which inverts the traditional dynamic by portraying the shallow character as the more desirable partner.

* ''Film/BackToTheFuture1'': Marty unwittingly becomes the lust interest to his future mother Lorraine after he inadvertently interfered in his parents' first meeting in 1955. So, he spends the movies trying to help his future father George win over Lorraine, leading to them planning a DateRapeAverted scenario so that George [[RescueRomance will "rescue" Lorraine]]. Things go awry after Biff Tannen interferes in their plan by actually trying to assault her, but George manages to pull through, [[GrewASpine standing his ground against Biff and punching him out]].

///
❤️ vs. 🧡

[[/folder]]

Typically, stories that use this dynamic end with the object of pursuit getting with the person who treated them like a person, while the shallow person ends up receiving some form a [[LaserGuidedKarma karma]] for their superficial attitude. If the shallow person does end up winning the target of their affections, expect the relationship to be miserable and/or short, as a relationship built on shallow qualities is incapable of sustaining itself. In contrast, the relationship based on genuine love will be much happier and fulfilling, as it is based on more meaningful qualities rather than superficial ones. One exception is the {{netorare}} genre, in which the shallow character is the one who ends up beating the loving character in the end; the basic premise of most works in this genre involves a good man who treats his girlfriend/wife/crush with respect and kindness having his partner stolen from him by a scumbag who treats the girl like a sex object rather than a romantic partner. In addition, the good guy is portrayed as a pathetic loser for being [[LousyLoversAreLosers bad in bed]] due to his [[TeenyWeenie smaller manhood]] and "Beta Male" behavior, the scumbag is portrayed as a ChickMagnet and/or a SexGod due to his [[BiggerIsBetterInBed larger endowment]] and "Alpha Male" behavior, which inverts the traditional dynamic by portraying the shallow character as the more desirable partner.

Compare ChildishVillainMatureHero. Often overlaps the BettyAndVeronica trope, where the "Betty" is often the Love Interest while the "Veronica" is typically the Lust Interest. Similarly, works that use the MadonnaWhoreComplex often have the "Madonna" being the Love Interest and the "Whore" being the Lust Interest. This trope can overlap with UglyHeroGoodLookingVillain if the shallow person is more superficially more appealing than their rival. See also IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy, NotWithThemForTheMoney, TrueBeautyIsOnTheInside, and ActOfTrueLove for tropes that are often expressed by the Love Interest. See BeautyIsBad, InLoveWithLove, LustObject, {{Lust}}, and LovingAShadow for tropes that are often expressed by the Lust Interest.

* When trying to woo someone, a shallow person has to rely on superficial qualities such as [[BeautyIsBad looks]], [[RichBitch money]], or status to win people over, as they possess, little, if any likable traits; in contrast, the loving person will try to be likable as a person even if they aren't impressive on the outside. Expect the shallow person to be [[EvilCannotComprehendGood shocked and confused]], when their superficial traits end up falling short in comparison to more meaningful qualities.

* ''Series/NightCourt'': Both Harry and Dan have expressed romantic interest in Christine, but Harry seems more interested in her from an intellectual standpoint, whereas Danis a lecherous pervert and proud of it. On one occasion Dan saved Christine when she was choking. Somehow, he also managed to steal all her clothes under her coat at the same time.

[[/folder]]
----
'''Indices'''
* LoveTropes
* AttractionTropes
* SexTropes
* SelfishnessTropes
* LoveTriangle
----
\\
This trope is very much an outing of [[cinnamon:''LI'']] vs. [[pink:'''LI''']].

-->'''Ichikawa:''' ("Thinking") There are plenty of things!

* When it comes to popularity, a shallow person will have no problems dating someone they don't like for popularity, and will similarly have no qualms about dumping their partner when their partner when said partner proves to be a liability for their PR. Meanwhile, the truly loving party has no problems with their reputation taking a hit to be with the one they love.

[[folder: Anime & Manga]]

* ''Anime/MyHime'': Natsuki Kuga has two love interests, her best friend, Shizuru Fujino, though initially Shizuru keeps that secret due to feeling [[{{Gayngst}} ashamed of her attraction to Natsuki]], and Kendo Captain Masashi Takeda. Downplayed, in that Takeda doesn't openly express a prurient interest in Natsuki, but seems to keep falling into the role of AccidentalPervert, seeing Natsuki sans underwear during an incident where she was forced into GoingCommando or falling atop her from his perch on a rock when she was trying to change clothes to go on a surveillance mission, and frequently experiences nosebleeds because of it. Shizuru, on the other hand, seems doting and caring [[spoiler: but takes to kissing [[DudeShesLikeInAComa an unconscious Natsuki]] while treating her injuries after Nao attacked her.]]

[[folder: Comic Books]]

[[folder: Fan Works]]

[[folder: Films - Animated]]

[[folder: Films - Live-Action]]

[[folder: Literature]]

[[folder: Live-Action TV]]

[[folder: Theatre]]

[[folder: Web Animation]]

[[folder: Web Videos]]

[[folder: Western Animation]]

* ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'': The two main characters who have expressed romantic interest in Captain Picard are Dr. Crusher and Ambassador Troi[[note]]not to be confused with Counsellor Troi, her daughter.[[/note]]. While Crusher does admit to finding Picard "handsome", the feelings she has for him are more personal, since he's her friend as well as her crush. Troi, on the other hand, is mainly more into him because she's a very horny woman.

** If the rich person [[RichesToRags loses their money]], expect the shallow person to lose interest, while their rival doesn't care. Similarly, a shallow person will have no problems trying to get with someone they disliked if said disliked person [[RichesToRags becomes rich]], while the non-shallow person won't change their feelings based on money.

The difference between [[LoveTropes love]] and [[SexTropes lust]] is sort of like the difference between gold and pyrite[[note]] A.K.A. fool's gold[[/note]]; on the surface, they may seem similar, but close examination shows that they have many contrasts. Where love is about what's [[TrueBeautyIsOnTheInside a person's inner beauty]] lust is only concerned with outer beauty. Where love is willing to put others' needs and desires above its own, lust [[ItsAllAboutMe puts its own desires before anything else]]. Finally, while love is [[UndyingLoyalty loyal and consistent]], lust is fickle and impulsive.

** [[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=v64paZ2wHFo&pp=ygUlZXRyYSBjaGFuIHNhdyBpdCBoaWdoIHNjaG9vbCByZXVuaW9uIA%3D%3D Yuzuriha and Tsutsuji]] are the Lust and Love Interest for Tokusa respectively; back in middle school, [[AlphaBitch Yuziriha]] rejected and made fun of Tokusa for being [[TinySchoolboy short]] and having a [[OlderThanTheyLook babyface]], while Tsutsuji, who received similar treatment for [[HugeSchoolgirl being tall]] was interested in him because of his [[SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan kind-hearted personality]]. During the class reunion, [[GoldDigger Yuziriha]] tries flirting with Tokusa when she sees that he's handsome and rich. When Tokusa rejects her and reveals that he's engaged to Tsutsuji, Yuzuriha is [[EvilCannotComprehendGood confused that he'd choose a less attractive girl over her]], showing that she's the same shallow girl she was in high school.

* When trying to woo someone, a shallow person has to rely on superficial qualities such as [[BeautyIsBad looks]], [[RichBitch money]], or status to win people over, as they possess, little, if any likable traits; in contrast, the loving person will be try to be likable as a person even if they aren't impressive on the outside. Expect the shallow person to be [[EvilCannotComprehendGood shocked and confused]], when their superficial traits end up falling short in comparison to more meaningful qualities.

* ''Manga/TheDangersInMyHeart'': Kyotaro Ichikawa has a crush on Anna Yamada, looks out for her, and starts spending time getting to know her. Sho Adachi also has a crush on her, and much to Ichikawa's annoyance, he can?t shut up about whatever sexual fantasies he has about her. When Ichikawa asks Adachi about anything else he likes about Yamada besides her face, he gets confused and goes on about the rest of her looks.

* ''Anime/MyOtome'': Shizuru Viola has two love interests, Natsuki Kruger and Tomoe Marguerite. Natsuki is genuinely in love with Shizuru, enjoying such things as a quiet afternoon with her where she simply listens to Shizuru playing the piano while sipping her tea. Tomoe, on the other hand, lusts after Shizuru, going so far when she aids Nagi and John Smith take over the school as to claim that Natsuki was captured, but will be treated well if Shizuru [[ScarpiaUltimatum cooperates]]. Shizuru actually knows Natsuki is safe, but plays along in order to pull the rug from under Tomoe later.

** Lest we think that the girls are the only ones guilty of lust vs. love, Akane's many suitors play to this as well. Tatewaki Kuno is a first rate pervert who openly seeks to two-time Akane with "The Pig-tailed Girl" (unbeknownst to him, Ranma), outright buying salacious pictures of Girl-Type Ranma from Nabiki, as well as pictures of her sister, Akane, working out in the dojo. By comparison, Ranma's other rival, Ryoga, clearly loves Akane, going so far as to say that he [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy would gladly support Akane no matter who she chose]], except of course, Ranma himself, as Ryoga still bears him a grudge for the whole being cursed to turn into a pig thing.

* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': In the comics for awhile the love interest was Mary Jane and the lust interest was Black Cat. Peter prefers women who are interested in Peter, not Spider-Man. Black Cat is an adrenaline junkie and AntiVillain who only cares about Spider-Man, she couldn't be less interested in Peter Parker. In some continuities (like the '90s cartoon) her civilian identity Felicia Hardy actually liked Peter before her transformation.

* ''Fanfic/DannyPhantomStranded'': Colette is the Lust Interest to [[CainAndAbel her sister]] Star's Love Interest; Colette would often [[SerialHomewrecker steal Star's boyfriends]] for the sake of [[SeductionAsOneUpmanship one-upping her sister]] and dump them when she gets bored. When she sees that Star's new boyfriend Danny is loyal, she becomes obsessed with trying to steal him away, not because she's genuinely interested in him, but because [[ILoveYouBecauseICantControlYou she enjoys the challenge of seducing a guy who resists her]]. Meanwhile, Star is serious about her relationship with Danny, unlike Colette who views relationships as a game. In addition, while Danny is an unpopular, Star is okay with that, as she chose to be with Danny for his [[SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan kind-hearted personality]] rather than his status. In contrast, Colette [[ICanChangeMyBeloved desires to shape Danny into someone popular after she steals him]], showing that she cares more about status than love.
* ''Fanfic/InterNos'': General Shizuru Fujino was assigned Natsuki as a bodyguard by the king of an allied nation. Natsuki's ElectiveMute status and her tendency to have {{Luminescent Blush}}es when teased make her interesting to Shizuru, who also admires her prowess and skill in combat. During a stay in a neighboring province, they run into Masashi Takeda, renowned swordsman, who tags along when Shizuru is trying to engage in official business, getting in the way, trying to be close to Natsuki. His prurient interest is revealed when he mistakes Natsuki for a slave and offers to buy her from Shizuru. Shizuru remarks on his desire to force himself on Natsuki while delivering a scathing TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to him.

** [[JerkJock Dash Baxter]] and [[TheHero Danny Fenton]] show this dynamic in regards to Danny's dates; while Danny is an unpopular student who becomes [[ChickMagnet popular with girls]] [[SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan because he treats them like actual human beings]], Dash is nothing but a misogynistic horndog who tries, [[CasanovaWannabe and fails]], to steal Danny's dates from him via his status as a highschool quarterback and "Alpha Male" bullying attitude.
** [[AlphaBitch Paulina]] is the Lust Interest to Danny's various girlfriends; in most of the spinoffs, she looks down on Danny until she finds out that he's Danny Phantom, her superhero crush; after that she obsessively pursues him. Meanwhile, Danny's girlfriends like him before they find out he's a superhero. In addition, Paulina's only positive quality is her physical beauty, and Danny's girlfriends, while only slightly less attractive than Paulina at worst, possess likable personalities alongside their good looks.
** Bonnie in ''TMDDF: After Many Dates: Danny and Kim '' is a lot like Paulina in that she only "likes" Danny ''after'' finding out he's a superhero; before that she thinks that Danny is just a loser and makes fun of Kim for dating him. Kim, by contrast liked him long before she found out his secret.

* ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast'': The Beast and Gaston are like this towards Belle; the Beast doesn't really care for Belle's beauty, tries to get to know her as a person, and respects [[{{Bookworm}} her love of books]]. Meanwhile Gaston's ''explicit reason'' for going after Belle is that she's the [[WorldsMostBeautifulWoman most beautiful woman in the village]] and nothing else; he sees her like a [[TrophyWife prize to be won and shown off]] rather than a person, and disapproves of her love for books.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDameDisney'': Just like the book the film is based on, Quasimodo is attracted to Esmerelda because she was the first person outside the Cathedral of Notre Dame to be nice to him and see him as a person, while Judge Claude Frollo lusts for her as a sexual object. While Quasimodo does suffer a case of LovingAShadow, once he sees that she loves Phoebus, he is hearbroken, [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy but chooses to bless her relationship with Phoebus]]. Frollo blames Esmerelda for making him feel lust for her, orders a manhunt for her and burns down Paris just to find her, and attempts to execute her when she refuses to be his mistress. Phoebus was the only person to love her for who she really is and combined with his noble qualities and choosing to defy to Frollo to do the right thing, is what earns him Esmerelda's love.
* ''WesternAnimation/MadagascarEscape2Africa'': A variant in which the target character is pursuing the "Lust" interest while they're pursued by the "Love" one. Gloria initially has an interest for the ChickMagnet Moto Moto, who in turn [[ChubbyChaser finds her attractive for her body fat]], but that's all he has for her. Gloria's friend Melman, on the other hand, has a crush on Gloria for her personality and status as a person, and experiences a HeroicBSOD the moment he sees her with Moto Moto just when he decides to confess his feelings for her (although not without interrupting their date to tell Gloria anyway and also call out Moto Moto on his behavior), prompting him to volunteer himself for a sacrifice hosted by King Julien (which Julien proposed in an attempt to restore the river adjacent to the African animals' land after it was dammed by the lost tourists) shortly afterwards. In a fortunate coincidence during the sacrifice ceremony, Gloria realizes Melman's crush on her was genuine, and dumps Moto Moto to go to the event and spare Melman from his attempted death. Since then, Gloria and Melman remain an OfficialCouple for the rest of the ''Franchise/{{Madagascar}}'' series.

* The Creator/ChuckECheese MadeForTVMovie ''Film/ChuckECheeseInTheGalaxy5000'' gives us Helen Henny and Astrid. The latter seems to immediately click with the friendly mouse who forms an instant attraction with her, but is revealed to be a manipulative GoldDigger who was only liking him for the prize money, and he is devastated upon finding out. Helen on the other hand, is a true friend to Chuck E. who secretly crushes on him and is caring of him in any way, and despite their UnresolvedSexualTension, he admits he never lost faith in her and makes up with her after winning the race.
* ''Film/TheMoneyPit'': Anna is engaged to Walter, who genuinely loves her, while her ex-husband Max still occasionally pursues her for his own gratification ("Let's talk about love and sex... actually, forget love, let's just talk about sex.") It's subverted when Max admits he lied about sleeping with Anna while Walter was on a business trip; he makes it clear he actually cares very deeply for her, and berates Walter for throwing her away.

* ''Literature/IJedi'': At the start of the novel, protagonist Corran Horn is HappilyMarried to Mirax Terrik, though they're in the middle of an argument about starting a family when she suddenly goes missing on a mission for New Republic Intelligence. Much later, while infiltrating the pirates he suspects are holding her, he's targeted by pirate queen [[TheBaroness Leonia Tavira]], an ex-Imperial moff who decides she wants him for her latest boytoy, and makes a good stab at appealing to his lust. He briefly tries to rationalize it away as means to an end, but realizes he'd really just be sleeping with Tavira to satisfy his male pride. This comes with the admission that Luke Skywalker's warnings about the dark side might actually have had a point: Corran's not nearly as incorruptible as he thought he was.

* ''Series/NightCourt'': Both Harry and Dan have expressed romantic interest in Christine, but Harry seems more interested in her from an intellectual standpoint, whereas Danis a lecherous pervert and proud of it. One one occasion Dan saved Christine when she was choking. Somehow, he also managed to steal all her clothes under her coat at the same time.
--> '''Christine:''' Dan, you saved my life!
--> '''Harry:''' Miss Sullivan, he felt you up!

* ''WebAnimation/AttackOnMika'': The male lead is often pursued by two women who possess this dynamic; one woman often plays the role of a GoldDigger, only showing interest in men based on their money, being willing to dump her boyfriend/husband for wealthier men, and tries to get back with her the male lead whenever she discovers he was actually wealthy/became wealthy. Meanwhile, the female lead loves the protagonist before he became wealthy, would never cheat on him, and is willing to struggle with the protagonist rather than dumping him when the going gets tough.

** Akane often plays the role of the Lust Interest in stories where she acts as an antagonist; Akane typically desires men for shallow reasons like [[GoldDigger money]], looks, or the thrill of stealing away another woman's man, while her rivals choose men for deeper reasons. Akane, while typically portrayed as very attractive, [[BeautyIsBad usually has a very unlikable personality]], relying on sex appeal and feminine charm to woo men, while her less attractive rivals are able to win men with their more likable personalities. In stories where Akane ends up stealing away her rival's man, the relationship tends to go sour quickly due to their superficial personalities, with either Akane and/or her man discovering the hard way that a person who'll cheat with them would also cheat on them; by contrast, Akane's rivals tend to enjoy much more fulfilling relationship due to their willingness to be loyal to one another.

** In stories that feature an [[UglyHeroGoodLookingVillain an ugly protagonist and a good looking antagonist]], the antagonist will often attempt to steal the protagonist's lover via their looks and sex appeal, with their attraction being based on a [[{{Sadist}} desire to hurt the protagonist]], the lovers looks and/or [[GoldDigger money]], or [[OffendedByAnInferiorsSuccess offense that an ugly person could get married before them]] rather than actual feelings for the lover. In stories were the antagonist succeeds in stealing away the lover, they are quick to abandon or cheat on their new partner when something better comes along, especially if the protagonist has found a new, better lover for them to steal. If the antagonist fails, they will often express [[EvilCannotComprehendGood confusion and disbelief that a person would rather stay faithful to an ugly person rather than cheat with a more attractive person]]. Meanwhile, the protagonist is always indifferent to their lover's status, money, looks, and chooses them based on their personalities, only leaving them due to serious reasons such as infidelity, abuse, laziness, etc rather than fickle desire.

** Stories that involve a protagonist's cheating ex will have said ex play the Lust Interest, while the protagonist's SecondLove lays the role of a Love Interest; typically, the story begins with the ex leaving them for someone prettier, richer, younger etc, usually with the justification that their new spouse is their "true love." Later on, the ex will try to get back with the protagonist either because their new relationship didn't work out, their new lover lost their income, or they found out the protagonist made more money. Meanwhile, the SecondLove will love the protagonist for who they are rather than for what they have or what they look like.

* ''WesternAnimation/AllenGregory'' has a very dark example. Once upon a time, Jeremy was HappilyMarried with a woman who loved him for who he is. However, one day, Richard entered Jeremy's life, and things took a turn for the worse. Richard lusted over Jeremy, [[StalkerWithACrush stalking him day in and day out]], even with [[HollywoodRestrainingOrder several restraining orders]]. Sadly, this is an example where the [[TheBadGuyWins lust actually wins]], since Richard bothered Jeremy so much that he had no choice to leave the love of his life and accept him as his husband.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'': Both Fry and Zapp are shown to be attracted to Leela throughout the series. However, Fry has proven to genuinely care about her, willing to risk his life for her and even letting her be with another man she cares about [[spoiler:that turns out to his future self]]. Zapp on the other hand, is selfish and wants her purely because she is attractive, with him constantly bragging about the time the two slept together (which was actually just PitySex).

* LoveTriangle