Statues and Questions of Personality ~ ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Blog (ANTM Cycle 15)

If you are a fan of ‘America’s Next Top Model’ and haven’t read this article, ‘The Exquisite Sadism of America’s Next Top Model’ read it – don’t pass go, don’t collect $200. 

 

                I’m going to confess a few things before I get into the meat of this week’s passed episode.  Between blogging about episodes of ‘Project Runway’ and ‘ANTM’ I pick blogging about ‘Top Model’ possibly because of all of the reasons why ‘ANTM’ is like junk food compared to ‘PR’.  For one thing, and mind you I don’t want to necessarily dog models because I do realize that there needs to be some skill involved in taking good pictures or walking a runway, but design takes talent, sometimes the type of talent that takes decades to nurture and in some rare cases a person may just be born with it.  Whereas modeling, except for a very select few, doesn’t last beyond a woman’s mid-twenties.  Often by the time a model gets into a groove or finds her niche in fashion either it is time for her to retire or her look is last season’s news.  The appeal ‘Top Model’ has for me is that it is about young women becoming involved in an industry that I love as an outsider looking in.  It is a show not about young women trying to find Prince Charming, but about young women trying to carve out some excitement in their lives with the possibility of travel and the vague promise of fame.  Granted, most models won’t be able to pay their bills with the money they make let alone live a very glamorous lifestyle.  In fact, most of the models on ‘Top Model’ despite the exposure they get on the show won’t be heard from or seen again.  The pay off for them is that they were on a TV and years from now, after they have returned to their hometowns in Texas or South Dakota, they can point to pictures of themselves and tell their grandchildren tales of their brush with cable TV fame.  By then Tyra will be running the world giving fierce stares to folks you dare cross her.  Yet, there are some of the girls, though none have become top models, have gone on to bigger and better things, perhaps not modeling, but parts in movies.  Snaps to Tyra and company too because as far as I know, none of them have participated in the more seedier side of modeling/entertainment and become stars of movies shown on Cinemax late at night.

 

                I like the idea of being able to travel while young, to be made up and exposed to such creativity, to be a part of an industry that is both essential and artistic.  I do realize that I more often view the fashion industry with rose colored glasses, but even so it is nice to see young women doing what I could not have done or didn’t have the opportunity to do.  On the other hand, when I look too hard at the show all I see is the bullshit. 

 

                For the sake of this week’s blog, I’m going to reference ‘The Exquisite Sadism’ article.

 

                It was the week of go sees (called go and sees in Italy just so you know) for the girls.  Well, it seems as if our five finalists are a bit wiser than previous contestants.  They know that the major issue is being able to arrive back at their assigned meeting point more than actually seeing as many go sees as possible.  I’m sure it is frustrating to Miss Banks that she didn’t get to lecture the girls about the importance of being on time, but now she was faced with a group that only made two of the go sees at best (Chelsey) or one and still was late returning (Ann).  She did a major tsk-tsk about how the girls need to make their appointments but seriously, the women are in a foreign city which is not set up with American style street signs in a population that at best speaks English as a second or third language.  Trying to take the subway in an American city of which you are unfamiliar is nerve racking enough, but to take it in a city which appears not to have many signs in English, well Miss Banks, you are lucky that all of your flock returned home at all!  I suppose there wasn’t an issue really considering that each of the girls is being trailed by a camera crew.      

 

                Since Chelsey was able to make it to two places with one saying that they would book her she won the prize – a Versace jacket.  One of the girls, I think it was Kayla, said you could tell it wasn’t a knockoff although she didn’t elaborate on how.    

                 

 

                Later they were all taken to George Clooney territory and were photographed as statues at a villa overlooking Lake Como.  The idea was that they were all going to be made up as statues that had come to life under the expert and loving hands of their creator – some Italian model who was really hawt.  I’m going to say something that I think has needed to be said for a long, long time; Nigel Barker is a shitty photographer.  I’m sorry, it sounds cruel, but honestly I have never seen a photo of his that I thought was exceptional.  The only thing that I think he has going for himself is that he is a judge on ‘America’s Next Top Model’ and he only has that position because he is hunky, has a British accent, and at one time Tyra had a thing for him.  (I wonder if they ever dated?)

 

                As I stated earlier, Chelsey won the go see challenge.  She was ahead of the girls in being the go getter on the challenge.  She felt she had an advantage since she had been on many go sees in the past.  Which begs the question, wasn’t there some sort of rule at one time for the show that the girls couldn’t have ever modeled professionally?  Nigel loved her on set.  He thought she was wonderful.  I think she came in second in this week’s photo competition. 

 

                Puppy angels in heaven are yapping in sadness because Miss Chris was sent home.  She seemed as if she was over the competition.  I think the heat in Italy had gotten to her.  During the go sees Jane and she teamed up.  By the time they decided that there wasn’t going to be any time for them to make the second go see by taking the subway, Chris had somehow injured her foot and was hobbling along.  I think she was thinking put a fork in me because I am done – D-O-N-E.  She knew she wasn’t really top model material, the judges knew she wasn’t top model material, and it was time for her to get back to L.A. to participate in pilot season.  Tyra to her credit said Chris needed to enroll in acting classes pronto.  Andre Leon Talley said that he thought she was the next Wanda Sykes.  I for one hope to see her again in some sitcom that I won’t first try to describe as a shitcom. 

 

 

 

                I have voiced my opinion about Jane and her personality before in that I definitely think she has one and that the judges are too lame and lazy to recognize it, but this time I really wanted to file some sort of lawsuit on her behalf because it seems as if the judges are really doing a mind f*&^ on her.  Jane, if you read this but I doubt it, you do have a personality, you have a lovely non-assuming personality that most people, if given the choice as to personalities types they would prefer to be around, would choose yours.  You don’t cause drama, you don’t need to be the center of attention, you don’t play the victim, really you are the perfect representation of what young American women should be – you have your sports, your education, and a desire to do well at anything you attempt.  DON’T LISTEN TO THE JUDGES!  They are only bullying you for ratings.  If you were such a non entity would you have numerous pictures (more so than the other contestants) every week on the ‘ANTM’ official website?  Hell to the NO!

 

                One of the most harmful things I think ‘Top Model’ does is criticizing the personalities of these young women.  Listen, there are major differences between pointing out that one needs to act in a professional manner and not having a personality.  To be professional, not only do you have to be on time to various appointments, but you need to be pleasant to the people you are working with, which normally includes smiling when you greet them, listening to what they are asking you to do, and making eye contact with them so that they know you are paying attention.  All of these things are not only essential for modeling, but for any job.  With that said, it doesn’t mean that you have to be the life of the party when you walk through the door nor do you have to readily agree to do things in which you don’t feel comfortable.  If Tyra really wanted to help young women with these tasks she would demonstrate some sort of template on how a model can politely, but firmly, turn down a task.  I’ll take it one step further and ask that the producers of the show give pointers to the women on how to turn down unwanted sexual advances.  Terry Richardson only became Terry Richardson because the fashion industry didn’t collectively call his ass down on the carpet.  Women, more so than men, tend to be desire to be people pleasers which is putty in the hands of someone who is an alleged master sexual manipulator such as Richardson.  Further, these skills aren’t just necessary for the modeling world, but for life in general.    

 

                Now that I have completely gone off road with a tangent, I’ll refocus on Jane.  She tried her best to be a lusty statue for barking Barker, but to no avail she just didn’t have the inner nothingness to bring it out for his taste.  Then she started to cry which tends to both soften and harden the judges.  Barker said it was the first time that she showed any personality.  Really?  Trying your best + not creating any drama = no personality?  He then portrayed her as semi-weak during the judging for crying.  Here is another tangent, I don’t think I’m alone in saying that I don’t like to cry in front of people, but if I do find myself weeping in the presence of others, I don’t feel ashamed.  My only issue is when people are trying to encourage me to cry when I would prefer not to.  I know that emotions run high for the girls, but I hate it when they are both rewarded and/or shamed when their tears spring eternal.

 

                In the end, Jane was in the bottom two.

 

                Kayla won for best photo again!  She was able to conquer her fear of flirting with a man on a photo shot.  In some of the comments in the Jezebel article people said it was cruel to force her to be in situations where she had to ‘act’ with a male model after being molested as a child.  I disagree since I think this heterosexual interaction is a common component in a model’s career.  I also thought Mr. Jay handled the situation well by informing her that she probably needed to seek professional help and that it was an issue (performing with a male model) that she would have to at least contend with in the modeling world. 

 

                And now for the Ann portion of this blog entry.  There weren’t any tears from Ann this week.  I know what I wrote above, you don’t have to remind me, but my issue with Ann was that she was constantly crying over building a self confidence that would either come to her or not.  I think Ann just needs to discover herself.  It’s okay to be shy and socially awkward as long as you know you are shy and socially awkward.  Concentrate on your strengths, admit your weaknesses, and then do what you can to make them better.  The change isn’t going to happen overnight so don’t pretend that you are going to wake up one morning and be able to roller skate – which speaking of sadism in Cycle 15, making the girls, especially Ann, who couldn’t roller skate, skate was a big fat fail.

 

            Despite all of her tears and no so wonderful comments I said at the beginning of the season about Ann, she has grown on me.  I get her.  I think she does have a career in modeling, just not as a spokesperson.  Even though she came out on top for the first five challenges I don’t think she will be a finalist simply because I don’t think she can do the Covergirl aspect of the ‘Top Model’ winner.  In fact, I don’t even know if Ann wants to win knowing how painful it is for her to meet new people.  Overall, I think she was amazed to have made it into the modeling house in the first place let alone made it to Italy.  I do hope Ann does make it into the pages of ‘Italian Vogue’ but I hope that she does it at her own time at her own pace.

 

            I think the two finalists will be Kayla and Jane.  I think that Chelsey doesn’t really have the type of look that is fresh whereas Jane’s look is always a contender and Kayla’s look is something fans of fashion haven’t seen much of late.  I’m hope Kayla wins because I’m going to be a bit of a mom to Jane and hope that she returns to Princeton.  It isn’t as if the university is in the middle of the Ozarks, if she wanted to model she could do it part time, but at least she would be working on her education.  Modeling is so short term, whereas being a co-ed in Princeton is the here and now.  Besides, according to Paulina Porizkova, a onetime judge on ‘Top Model’, “the one guarantee that you will never make it as a model is to go on that show.” Oh. No. She. Didn’t.     

 

            BTW, this is one of the best articles I have ever read about the day to day life of a semi-successful model.

 

 

            Until later, happy modeling!  If you are interested in seeing past episodes, model portfolios, or anything else, check out the official website.  

  

Here is a listing of my past posts.

‘America’s Next Top Model’ Takes on ‘Italian Vogue’ ~ And a New Blog is Born

Models Who Live in Glass Houses ~ ‘America’s Next Top Model’ (ANTM) Blog

Fallen Angels in Uncomfortable Harnesses ~ ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Blog (ANTM)

Models Sandwiched Between Water and Creatures of the Deep ~ ‘America’s Next Top Model’ (ANTM) Blog

Model Mania Mexican Wrestling ~ ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Blog (ANTM)

It Has Really Turned into the Ann Show Hasn’t It? ~ ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Blog (ANTM)

Manning Up Model Style ~ ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Blog (ANTM Cycle 15)

Tears, Tears and More Tears ~ ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Blog (ANTM Cycle 15)    

The Heat of Venice ~ ‘America’s Next Top Model Blog (ANTM Cycle 15)

 

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