If you’re anything like me, you’re a huge fan of some today’s hottest reality television programs. I will admit that I am an avid America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) viewer. The ultra-posh “cribs”, the fabulous wardrobes, and the occasional celebrity appearances are enough to keep me glued to the TV set. Additionally, I enjoy the entire process involved in transforming “ordinary” women into glamorous catwalking mannequins. But with each passing Cycle of ANTM, I have noticed that the next Top Models appear to be missing from many of the fashion publications I tend to read, which leads me to wonder whether any top model ever becomes a supermodel…
THE EXAMPLES
Cycle 1: Adrienne Curry has been extremely forthcoming about her displeasure regarding the modeling career that was “promised” to her by ANTM executives. As a matter of fact, Curry claims that she was promised payment for some Revlon work, but has yet to receive a dime. Whether these claims are true is a moot point. Curry and her good looks have yet to be seen on anywhere other than in Reality TV Land fluff. Her most promising feat? Marrying into the Brady Bunch—literally.
Cycle 2: Cycle 2 presented a stronger set of candidates than the first one. The winner in this cycle, Yoanna House, won over many fans with her Audrey Hepburn-esque good looks, and classy appeal. Yet, for all her fashion savvy, she ended up trading the runways for fledgling PR work, and mid-rate fashion reality shows.
Cycle 3: Eva Pigford was the first African-American model on the show to be named the Next Top Model. Her stunning golden skin and spunky appeal was enough to win over the judges. But her win has only granted her bridal magazine covers and multiple appearances on B-List CW (network) sitcoms, and hip-hop videos.
Cycle 4: This cycle saw a new kind of beauty in the audacious, mohawked, yet fresh-faced Naima Mora. Her face has been planted in many CoverGirl commercials (She won a contract with ANTM). Naima has actually done quite a bit of runway modeling. But her most popular stints are for companies like Walmart, ELLEgirl, and the Miss Teen USA pageant.
Cycle 5: Perhaps the most “controversial” cycles of all, was the one in which Nicole Linkletter was crowned America’s Next Top Model. The problem is that few people even remember Nicole. The freshly-scrubbed young girl proved to be the underdog of the show, continuously surprising the judges (and herself) by conquering the show’s challenges. But it is really her runner-up, Nik (a model that somewhat resembled Eva Pigford) who stole the show. Many viewers wondered whether Nicole was chosen simply because two models of color had been chosen previously; perhaps Tyra Banks felt pressure (from execs) to feature another white model. At any rate, Nicole was chosen because according to Tyra, the show was looking for a “high fashion model” (read: couture). But her resume’s highlights include modeling for little known fashion designers.
Cycle 6: Fans everywhere rooted for statuesque beauty, Danielle Evans. But her thick Arkansas accent and awkward smile gave judges something to complain about. Despite a few snafus during the show’s taping, Danielle proved that she really does have what it takes to be America’s Next Top Model. She’s done plenty of CoverGirl work, which is very lucrative. But her fierce runway skills have been limited to Baby Phat shows.
IS IT TYRA BANKS’ FAULT?
Many claim that it’s actually the show’s host and creator, Tyra Banks, who is responsible for the girls’ lack of higher end fashion work. However, Tyra has claimed that she has no control over what kinds of offers the girls will receive. As a matter of fact, the only secure opportunities are those which are offered upon winning ANTM.
Some speculate that it is the ANTM reality-show format which reduces the models’ credibility. Many believe that a reality show is not the proper format for choosing women who are serious about becoming models. As is exposed on the show, many of the ladies who audition are not under the impression that they will ever reach Naomi Campbell, or Linda Evangelista “status”; they simply want an opportunity for someone in TV Land to see them and offer them that “next break”—no matter what it is.
