Looks absolutely a factor. Anyone who says looks don't matter is a god damn liar.
Now it shouldn't be the only factor, but it is one by nature. It's more important to some than others.
She could be the greatest person ever but if they were someone on that show my 600lb life I highly doubt you'd fall in love with them. The only people with those people are ones that for one reason or more have no other options.
But I won't lie, looks matter to me. I can be pretty flexible with them but they do matter at least somewhat. Who they are as a person matters also, if she is hot but a total twat then I have no interest, if she is a great person but a disgustingly fat half black and half Guatemalan then I won't be interested.