What is America's Next Top Model?

America’s Next Top model, ANTM for short, is an entertaining CW Television Network show that has it all. ANTM is the ultimate destination for reality show fanatics, fashion aficionados, shopaholics or viewers who simply enjoy innovative prime-time entertainment. Watching corky Tyra Banks – who is a former supermodel, head judge and producer of the show – is just part of the fun! Aside from listening to Tyra’s funny accents, viewers get to follow the contestants as they are drilled and quizzed on understating the fashion industry, flawlessly strutting on the runway, looking fierce and “smiling with their eyes” in pictures. Tyra relates every single photo shoot to her own modeling experience – and she has years of practice under her couture belt. To add onto Tyra’s expertise, the show also hosts a panel of judges. The current judging panel includes Czech supermodel Paulina Porizkova, runway coach J. Alexander (also known as “Miss J”) and world- renowned fashion photographer Nigel Barker. Jay Manuel (also known as “Mister J”) directs the photo shoots, which are featured on every episode.

Why is new Cycle 11 worthy of your time?

While on the air, America's Next Top Model has successfully named 10 top models. This season will crown the 11th lucky lady – the supermodel of the future – which is the theme of the cycle. However, with new episodes airing every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. (eastern) on the CW Television Network, some of you might ask, “Why continue watching the same show for 11 seasons?"


Simply put, season 11 is unlike any other.


This cycle is especially interesting because of its diverse cast. For the first time in history, cycle 11 is featuring a transsexual in the competition: Isis, the 22-year-old transgender, who is still a “pre-op.” Although she was eliminated on episode five last week, her appearance on the show created a big buzz on the Internet and among fans! Tyra originally noticed Isis during cycle 10’s homeless shoot. Isis was an extra in the background that stood out, and this quickly landed her a spot in the competition. This season certainly makes a statement and increases the visibility of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.


In addition, this season breaks other, more political, grounds. Aside from the rare case of J.F.K and Marilyn Monroe, politicians and modeling might not always have an obvious connection. However, ANTM is breaking this unwritten rule. For the very first time, the show presents a clear political statement in its season-premiere episode: The presidential election is coming up, and ANTM urges everyone to cast their vote and let their voices be heard.


In fact, Tyra models (no pun intended) a whole photo shoot around the issues of the upcoming election. Each girl’s photograph not only has great props, hair and makeup, but the contestants’ snapshots represent different scenarios and reasons to inspire young people’s participation in politics and voting. The photographs depict issues like the economy, health care, education and privacy.



To top it all off, it seems that from cycle to cycle the judges and Tyra get even funnier and more entertaining. Jezbel.com, a blogging online community, talks about a hilarious moment in the first episode of cycle 11: “Tyra pretends that she's a moose and chases a contestant around the room, instructing her to "run fiercely" and then showing her how. (This is the best show in the world.)”




Here is the video, so you can witness this bizarre moment firsthand:

Finally, each cycle brings a new and unique set of beautiful and talented women, who are bound to clash in the fight of becoming America’s next top model. Each time, a diverse group of contestants brings a different and unique perspective to the photo shoots, clothes and styles they portray. Contestants must live together in one house, facing their competition daily. They form coalitions and friendship, but in the end, only one girl takes the best pictures of the bunch. Therefore, only one girl ultimately has what it takes to get the grand prizes – a contract with Elite Model Management and the title they all think they were born for.

Tyra's Political Message

In the previous post, I was talking about the new, edgy and diverse cycle of ANTM. Political awareness has taken a new meaning after Tyra dedicated the first episode of the 11th cycle to a voting/political photo shoot.
Here is the message Tyra had on CW Television Network’s Web site:








“This upcoming election is very important to me, which is why I thought our voting episode was a perfect one to dedicate,” writes Tyra in an interactive letter to her fans.
She says the top model episode documents the first photo shoot, in which the girls are challenged to use modeling and portray key issues that are significant in the 2008 election.
She closes off her “Tyra Mail” by prompting everyone to register and vote.

Meet the Judges

Meet the panel of judges. Life is never dull with Tyra and these experts by her side.

This season’s new addition is supermodel Paulina Porizkova. She is replacing British supermodel Twiggy.



Miss J is as funny as ever, and Nigel Barker’s good looks and photography skills never fail to disappoint viewers. He is taking pictures of the girls very early into the competition this time around.







Nigel was the photographer for this very interesting shoot in episode five called the "fierce eyes photo shoot." Here is the winning photograph for the week. Cycle 11 displays each week’s top picture as digital art in the house. This is also something entirely new to the show this season. This daily reminder will surely create more hostility in the supermodel household. Clark was the winner with the best fierce eyes. Judges raved about the image, saying her look was so intense, it reflected in the water.