Why is the American Version of Top Model So Bad?

[kylenrose]

I just tend to think the show is more about Tyra than it is about any of the other girls or about finding good models. When I found out she was thinking of passing off her show to someone else I got quite excited. I agree with what a lot of people said, many factors play into it. Bottom line- they do it for the ratings. So even if girls like Katarzyna or Anya are better models they are both pretty quiet so they'd rather keep someone like say..Danielle or Fatima because they are bound to cause drama. Some of the girls who have not won have done well, but for example I'll be surprised if Katarzyna makes it much further because it seems to me every time this show actually lands someone who COULD model they get kicked off. I don't understand it myself. I like some aspects of the show, like my girl Whitney but the show is not really a model search so much as..your a-typical reality show in which prizes are rewarded and people get their glorious 15 minutes. No one can take them seriously because not a single one of them have done as well as say Ksenia or Alice. Cause let's face it. Gucci > Apple Bottoms. I have even noticed that when they center the episode on a girl, that girl gets kicked off! They don't even TRY anymore. It is too bad shows like Petra's were not more popular because that seemed a bit more rooted in the actual fashion industry instead of ratings and reality tv.

 

[Mafiosa]

I also think it's because ANTM takes the mystery out of the girls. We see them talk, shout, eat, cry, anything short of going to the loo. It is so extremely overexposed that no high fashion magazine or designer would ever want to touch those girls.

Let's face it how many ever watched finland's or russia’s next top model? 99% of people wouldn’t know that suvi or ksenia came out of those shows. So when they see them in a high fashion campaign their thoughts don’t automatically drift towards some cheesy reality TV-show and then (consciously or subconsciously) associate the designer with that.

ANTM makes the “wonderful world of fashion” too accessible for the masses, it looses its glossy façade and haughty image. Your not supposed to look at a model and go “oh what a stupid, crying cow she was!” but “what a beautiful creature, maybe if I buy that dress I will look like her!”

Then obviously there is also the pressure to get good ratings, and a lot of people don't find the models who are really succesful today attractive. They have to find girls who will appeal to the mainstream viewer.

 

[miss_nyc]

It sucks because it is only about the ratings and NOT finding a real model.

Only Yoanna House was a worthy winner...the rest are whack. Danielle could not even speak properly.

Naima...blah, but Cardiee was the WORST...along with that Jaslene the drag queen looking one with her annoying voice

 

[enkeli05]

I also have to say that none of those girls do really have model potential. Some of them are not even pretty or just your avarage girl!!

 

[voguelover94]

^^ well u'd think after so many seasons i doubt they can still find much talent

 

[Astralique]

I think it's due to over-exposure. Girls who are in the spotlight on a non-respected show are not likely to do well.

 

[voguelover94]

^^true.

it was quiet exciting when it first started but like most reality shows the excitment wears off

 

[candysweet21]

I agree with you miss_nyc. Yoanna was the best winner so far. She has a high fashion look.

Adrienne (Season 1) couldn't care less about fashion and went straight to Playboy. she said it herself that she only wanted the money from modeling.

Yoanna (Season 2) gorgeous face. Photographs beautifully but I wish she would have tried on her own because that show ruined everything for her.

Eva (Season 3) I don't understand this girl at all! she is too short and isn't that pretty.

Naima (Season 4) She's ok but she's already over modeling.

Nicole (Cycle 5) OMG SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ANNOYING!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe she won! she was such a spoiled brat and isn't even pretty.

Danielle (Cycle 6) nice personality but definitely not a high fashion girl and her accent was horrible!!

CariDee (Cycle 7) she's ok but I still think Melrose should have won.

Jaslene (cycle 8) the worst winner in the history of ANTM IMO. I can't believe they picked HER over natasha!!

Saliesha (Cycle 9) Isn't even that pretty.

So A WARNING TO ALL GIRLS: if you want to be a model do NOT!! by any means participate in America's Next Top Model!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and have you guys noticed a pattern in the winners? a white girl, black girl, white girl, black girl, white girl etc....

 

[voguelover94]

^^ ohh thats just all tyra's doings (the pattern) its probably rigged

 

[Candy_lux]

i think saleisha, eva and jaslene were the worst of all... especially because saleisha beat chantal and jaslene beat natasha...
the most shocking is that usually the runner ups and previously eliminated girls get more jobs... chantal for example, did a few shows at la fashion week... it's not much, but its a start...

 

[FashionCapital]

Jaslene, Nicole, and Danielle are actually doing quite well for winners.

The main problem of the show is that it's too out of touch with today's modeling industry. Like many said earlier, it focuses too much on a public perception of what a model is. In addition, most of the judges, especially Nigel, judge the girls on their personal perception of what makes a model. Nigel tends to like the "hot", sultry girls, yet this look is rarely sought after nowadays in the industry.

Also, they really don't do enough in terms of activities relating to actual modeling. Instead of visiting agencies, having polas taken of them, and the like, the girls are forced to go participate in "COMMERCIAL! COUTURE! CATALOG!" challenges that truly don't make any sense. These girls simply aren't given a taste of what a real model's life is like.

 

[1FashionVictim]

I think the show is improving standard wise especially this cycle. I think people forget that this is a reality tv show and it has been going strong for 10 cycles and Tyra's zany acts, odd photoshoots and strange challenges are needed to keep the show fresh.

 

[smartarse]

• america produces more commercial models, with the exception of the very few hf girls.

*just look at all the high fashion models that grace the glossy and catwalks from ny, milan and paris...[majority are foreigners]

• it's all for entertainment purposes

IMO

however, there is one ANTM contestant that fits the very criteria of a HF model: Heather Kuzmich of Cycle 9

 

[FashionCapital]

Uh, just something I noticed...

A lot of people (mostly non-fans of the show who still watch it) seem to really have little respect for the girls, you know? Heck, when Bianca was wearing Chanel in some test shots she did, everyone, instead of focusing on whether or not she looked good, said, "She doesn't even deserve to be wearing those clothes! She doesn't know what they're worth! Why should someone like her wear it?" Um, I'm pretty sure she actually is aware of what they're worth--don't assume the worst. Many people say that the girls don't know anything about fashion, yet a lot of girls (in post-show interviews) have said that Tyra and the judges make them study fashion magazines, models, and the like. The fact that people are so harsh on these girls only adds to the perception that ANTM is a joke.

[/end rant]

 

[1FashionVictim]

^I feel the same way. I think people are way too quick to dismiss ANTM.

 

[mjjluver]

Uh, just something I noticed...

A lot of people (mostly non-fans of the show who still watch it) seem to really have little respect for the girls, you know? Heck, when Bianca was wearing Chanel in some test shots she did, everyone, instead of focusing on whether or not she looked good, said, "She doesn't even deserve to be wearing those clothes! She doesn't know what they're worth! Why should someone like her wear it?" Um, I'm pretty sure she actually is aware of what they're worth--don't assume the worst. Many people say that the girls don't know anything about fashion, yet a lot of girls (in post-show interviews) have said that Tyra and the judges make them study fashion magazines, models, and the like. The fact that people are so harsh on these girls only adds to the perception that ANTM is a joke.

[/end rant]

I agree, yes the girls can be annoying and so can the drama and yes some girls come into with that "i'm a tomboy I don't know anything about modeling but everyone said I should try out" thing but a lot of them know their models and designers however I agree with something someone said earlier if you want to be taken seriously in the modeling world I suggest not doing it with ANTM.

 

[happytrail]

IMO why ANTM is bad:

1. no big names featured as judges, photographers, designers, etc. at least none worth mentioning.

2. the contestants. some lack maturity, sophistication, height, presence, etc. some of their personalities suck also.

3. too much drama, which is really the editor's fault. only good for tv, lack of professionalism.

4. i'll keep my opinions about tyra to myself.

 

[weathergirl]

Two words:

Tyra. Banks.

Pretty much sums it up!

 

[katherine]

Perhaps because most of the catwalks we'd like to see models on are QUITE picky. Most of the girls on the show don't even fit the high fashion aesthetic and look commercial. And some of them are successful doing commercial work, so. It really sucks cos when they actually do have girls who can work the major runways - they get eliminated. The whole show has become one big joke but hey, it's entertaining as heck.

 

[1FashionVictim]

^^^

1. Badgley & Mischka, the creative director for Tuleh, Betsey Johnson, Heatherette, Dsquared2, People high-up in LA Fashion Week, Paulina Porizkova, Twiggy, The editor of Seventeen Magazine, Miss Jay, The Manager of Elite USA, Tyson Beckford, etc, etc aren't considered good names. Do you expect the likes of Anna Wintour and Steven Meisel to give up their time for a reality tv show.

2. The contestants are generelly quite good and a large majority have some level of potential even if you get the odd ones that are just visual funk, the problem is that the rightful winner is never chosen and the other good contestants never give it a fair shot. Have you stopped by the model behaviour thread, there are models who act much more immature than ANTM girls. Sophistication is something not needed off the runways and away from the camera. As far as I know all the girls this cycle were above 5'9 and are generally quite tall in previous cycles too. I'm not disagreeing on this one because some girls need to work on their rpesence but in general it can be worked on over time. Is personality really necessary? It's a TV show.

3. It's a reality tv show, not a documentary and as stated earlier, the girls do learn about fashion behind the camera lens.

4. Give her a break, she's done over 10 cycles and she's just trying her best to be entertaining and trying to keep things fresh.


[/rant over]