"This is my signature walk and this is what is going to make me famous" (America's Next Top Model)

Member Name: sirg0508

Product:	America's Next Top Model
Date:	20/03/07 (1431 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Insight into the industry, interesting photoshoots, good presenters

Disadvantages: Tantrums and fights can get a bit annoying

America’s Next Top Model is hosted by Tyra Banks, a supermodel who has been in the business for over a decade. With so many asking her how they can get into the business, she decided to give people from all over the country the chance to become a top model. The prize for the winner of ANTM include a years modelling contract, a spread in a top magazine and a $100,000 contract with a cosmetic company. Unlike well known UK reality shows like Big Brother and XFactor, this is a serious business so cuts out all the bad auditions and gets right down to the last 35 or so models they have chosen.

Each ‘cycle’ (season) tends to differ in number but usually there is a larger number than will go on and stay in the luxurious accommodation so they are given further auditions before the cut. The cycles tend to be around 10 to 14 episodes and each consists of challenges and a photo shoot based on something Tyra has done in her career which the models are then put before the judges with and tested before the elimination where one is sent home. The winner is the last one left. I tend to prefer this as it’s not the public deciding who is to go but those who are in the modelling/fashion industry as they know what they’re doing.

Having seen 7 cycles and similar to shows like Big Brother, they can get a bit boring as the general idea is the same. ANTM though has elements that are not included in other shows so although it is a crash course for the model hopefuls, can give a wider insight into the industry by watching each cycle.

The world of modelling is quite controversial and it certainly crops up here – the issue of weight is right there from the beginning and Tyra pushes to get at least 1 plus size model into the finals. It was quite interesting to see them saying that some were too thin, too old at 27 or that some were in fact too tall at 6ft1. I was always surprised at who the winners were as most of them were never the best looking from the chosen bunch. Being beautiful isn’t a guarantee that each will get far as it is personality that a big factor – being able to be high fashion but also commercial to be able to sell the product/service. Quite a few have taken fantastic photos but when it comes to TV commercials, really mess up.

The judges change in each season but generally consist of Tyra Banks as the host. She mentors the girls and occasionally joins in with the photo shoots as she is sometimes the photographer although she does say she’s an amateur. She does seem like a really nice person and generally cares and tries to help as much as possible. Nigel Barker is an ex model and fashion photographer. I’ve loved some of his photos as he too has been a photographer in a couple of cycles. Janice Dickinson was the worlds first supermodel and as she says herself one of the most opinionated. She’s as honest as she can be and will say what she means even if there is someone standing in front of her. She has quite an issue with weight and doesn’t think ANTM should be plus sized so always interesting what she has to say on the matter. Janice was replaced by Twiggy in later cycles as a few of the judges had problems with her. Twiggy is almost the opposite of Janice though and a very nice judge but she doesn’t really help the girls as much as Janice did. The judges are normally joined by a guest judge each week – someone that was involved during the week in a challenge or photo shoot but they never really have much of a say in who they think should go home that week.

There are another couple of main characters in the programme: Mr Jay and Miss J. Mr Jay (Manuel) is the stylist on each shoot and is a perfect presenter. He’s very clear, not camera shy and does his job very well. He features more than Tyra does in each cycle and is engaging – luckily or it would have put me off watching the show. Miss J (Alexander) is hilarious. He is the runway diva and has taught many top models how to perfect their walks. Early on in the show he did seem a bit nervous but as the show has progressed he has completely come out of his shell and has featured as one of the judges in a couple of cycles.

Like any show where you put a number of people with very different personalities into a house, there are a lot of fights. There are various issues like not tidying up, to religion and even speculation of eating disorders among the group. They’re from all over the country and very different backgrounds but there have been very few I’ve disliked – a few are just quite dull and not very entertaining but they usually leave early on. I laughed and cried as there are people out there leading harder lives than others dealing with personal problems but phone calls home reveal a lot more about each. My favourite cycle is probably Cycle 5 – there are a lot more memorable characters although I wouldn’t have picked the winner they did. Cycle 8 however is also living up to expectations and looks like it is going to top it.

I’m not sure whether I love of hate it but the girls receive a make over around episode 3. This is the point where it becomes a lot more serious – you have to be prepared to do pretty much what the client wants and some of these makeovers are quite drastic that there are tears and tantrums… even resulting in one leaving the show. It is great to see how much of a difference the makeovers make and from that point they do start looking more like models but it does begin to get a little annoying when, especially in later cycles, they act like it’s a surprise all their hair could get cut off.

Of the cycles that have ended, the Top Model from the previous cycle usually appears in the next so the girls can get advice and ask questions about what it’s like being a Top Model and the majority have said it’s not really like the show perceives it to be – the criticism they receive in front of the judges is like them being a fly on the wall after they walk out the door of a casting (but of course this will be constructive). I’ve never seen any ads other than the Cover Girl ad which is part of the prize for winning Top Model which probably proves that a show like this isn’t going to result in instant supermodel fame – once it’s over there’s still a lot of work to do.

ANTM cycles 4-7 are currently showing daily on Living TV (times differ depending on cycle). Cycle 8 is now being shown in America. If you’re interested in the modelling industry or even reality shows then this is one I’d recommend. The show has been such a success that there are various Top Model programmes around. I’ve seen two cycles of Britain’s Next Top Model, some of Australia’s, the Philippines and Germany’s but from what I have seen, the American’s certainly do it best. ANTM although certainly improved from the first cycle, is so much more vibrant, has likeable presenters and a little more over the top but it’s funny, entertaining and passionate about the industry.

Summary: Reality show to pick America's Next Top Model hosted by Tyra Banks