'Top Model's' Fashion Flop
"Do you really think America's next top model is going to be an exotic dancer?!?"
And there it is.
In Queens girl Bianca's bring-it hypothetical question to 20-year-old Lisa (yes, a dancer, and also the most beautiful girl in the cat, um, model house) last night, you've got pretty much the whole gist of "cycle nine" of "America's Next Top Model."
'Cause so far, we can barely tell the difference between "ANTM" and "Flavor of Love." It seems that in Her Supreme Diva's search for a multi-culti, conquer-all cast, a bad element has taken over.
And we're not even talking entirely about the model hopefuls. We're talking about Old Navy. Are we seriously supposed to believe it when we're told by a fashion veteran that "Old Navy is the perfect place to find model basics"?
Back to Lisa: She's perfection. But Bianca's got a point. Is ANTM sponsor Cover Girl going to go ga-ga for an adult entertainer? Ehhh. But for now, it's entertaining.
Also in Episode 2: We watched the 13 contestants get slathered in latex and fake blood yet again, for yet
another dubious photo shoot.
We're dying for one brave soul to shriek "Kate Moss never had to wear a fake facial tumor!!!"
But it won't happen. Because as much as Tyra Banks (who, btw, has ditched the muumuus to show off a newly svelte self) urges the girls of "ANTM" to be "fierce," the show has developed a penchant for really pretty, really addled girls. In one episode, we've got autism and rape and homelessness and shyness and even plain dumbness strutting down the runway, as fierce as they can muster. And not a stitch of fashion anywhere.
-- Lavanya Ramanathan
By Maura McCarthy |
September 27, 2007; 8:19 AM ET
America's Next Top Model
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Posted by: Ghost of Scavullo | September 27, 2007 01:19 PM
I know, the Old Navy thing? So funny. I mean...I enjoy Old Navy myself, and have gotten some very nice jeans there, but I'm not sure it's where I'd send an aspiring model for "model basics." And I certainly wouldn't let Benny Ninja anywhere near her. Anyway, my favorite part of the show was the Look How We Green We Are! theme. I wrote about it on *my* work blog:
http://ngm.typepad.com/pop_omnivore/2007/09/americas-next-t.html
Posted by: h.f. | September 27, 2007 02:49 PM
This show has always been more about affirmative action social engineering than anything to do with modeling. You'd only have to watch Petra Nemcova's "Model Life" on TLC to understand that.
Petra managed to come up with contestants that look and act like models, which is why they went on to get contracts with Next, while "Top Model" winners get a one-way ticket to oblivion and a free pass to an even creepier VH-a reality show.
While there is no doubt beauty comes in many shapes and colors, watch TM as the beautiful blonde girl is invariably kicked off the show in week one so the rather homely African American with "issues" can be kept on week after week?
Throw drinks on your fellow houseguests? Steal their belongings and lie about it? No problemo. Miss Tyra's show exists to make you feel good about yourself. It should not be confused with anything to do with the actual world of modeling.
Posted by: filmex | September 27, 2007 02:57 PM
I'm looking forward to the wackiness that ensues once the nicotine withdrawal kicks in. It should bring the house to a whole new level of cattiness.
Posted by: Jen | September 27, 2007 03:14 PM
Filmex: The beautiful blonde was kicked off the show because she didn't have much to offer besides her pretty face. And none of the black girls look homely. Despite bianca's horrible attitude, she's definitely very attractive. The viewers favorite so far is Lisa, not the beautiful blonde you're defending. While ANTM is not without its flaws, I commend Tyra's effort to show examples of beauty from various ethnic backgrounds.
Posted by: Ft. Wash | September 27, 2007 05:33 PM
Yeah, the beautiful blonde? Not even all that beautiful. Also, dumb as a post. I mean, I agree that it's a ridiculous show (and that's why I love it), but I'm not sure Mila is the posterchild I want for beauties who were wronged.
Posted by: m3 | September 28, 2007 10:14 AM
This show is simply a kee kee and nothing more - definitely not to be taken seriously. I knew that once they chopped Nik a few cycles ago. I mean, she had OVAH face. Then they chopped Nene. WTF???? And what about the Indian chick? She was FABULOUS. This show is just full of it.
Posted by: DW | September 28, 2007 12:52 PM
Look, I love AMTM, just love it. It is stupid and crass and phony and I love it. And over the years, it has gotten even more phony and crass. I love it more. Bring it on, the would-be divas and the anorexia barbie dolls, the professed little fashionistas who have never even heard of the greatest fashionista of all, Grace (Her Highness) Kelly--young women to whom history begins this morning and the past was last night. Don't you love it? This is 'reality' television at its best--with a veneer of sophistication and professionalism. Jay and Miss Jay are icons, God bless them, and a joy to watch. To see mindless superficiality taken with intense seriousness is more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Long may AMTM live!
Posted by: M. A. George | October 3, 2007 10:09 AM
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