For the first photo shoot challenge on this new "cycle" of "America's Next Top Model," the women had to pose for photos that convey a political stance. It reminds me of something Molly Shannon's Mary-Catherine character on "SNL" might do: "My thoughts on this issue would be best expressed in a highly stylized fashion shoot."
The difference, of course, is that the people at "ANTM" aren't joking. What's more, the models didn't even get to pick their issues; Jay Manuel assigned each girl a political view, including such polarizing topics as gun control, the death penalty, and gay marriage. As with the trend in Halloween costumes (slutty nurse!), the resulting get-ups turn serious issues into bizarrely sexual outfits. For more ranting and a gallery of the photos, read more
One might argue that the photos aren't necessarily trying to sexualize these issues, but it's hard not to read them that way. I find it baffling that the image conveying "pro-death penalty" borders on dominatrix, while the "pro-life" sentiment shows a woman chained to a clinic in what looks to be a parody of a serious real-life situation. To make that somber reality into a "theme" for a fashion shoot is offensive and bizarre. Other photos are downright creepy, such as the "pro-eating meat" picture, in which a model is sitting on top of a bunch of meat staring listlessly at the camera. Click on the thumbnails to view the images below and tell me what you think.
Photos courtesy of the CW
Chantelle
Moncler
Juicy Couture
I think all the pictures were very well done. And what better way to start off the season
1The sad thing is that I've become so inured to the trashiness of this show that I barely batted an eyelash when this challenge was introduced. I absolutely agree with everything you said here, though - it's pretty horrifying that these serious issues could be turned into sensationalized fodder for reality television.
2Seriously, you guys need to get your hands on some tape of the judging where the girl (who was subsequently kicked off) talked about her pro-fur stance, but only when the animals die of natural causes, or fighting each other in the jungle. It. Is. AMAZING.
3Totally agree -- when is Team Tyra going to realize that not everything in the world can be filtered through modeling? How can anyone take these pictures seriously? Its total parody.
4Well said, popjunky77.
The concept for this photo shoot was weak, and poorly executed on top of that - I think that is why the photos are so dead. And poor Kathleen (i.e. pro-fur girl who got kicked off) - she was essentially eliminated for being stupid. Too stupid to model? Yikes.
5i love this show for its trashiness and how horrible the girls are to each other.(i know that is awful from a girl and not very liberal) but you can tell they ran outta ideas for shoots when they did the bearded lady/circus shoot last cycle.
6I guess everyone has their own oppinion on this issue! I mean sure its trashy and all but i actually like it....And i agree that Tyra is running out of ideas that she has to now bring in politics...Lets just hope next wont be Religion or World issues like the Iraq war or soldiers! that'll be too low..She should open a forum for "NEW IDEAS FOR PHOTO SHOOTS" !!
7I agree; Tyra et al are totally running out of ideas. I hope their writers are working this season; a season or so ago, the writers went on strike for benefits, and some episodes were just absurd.
8Good Post, Agreed!
I had to laugh at the Mary Katherine Gallagher reference, nicely placed.
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9"We're forced to bed, But we're free to dream" Gord Downie
It's like their eating disorders photo shoot in the last "cycle" (love the menstruation metaphor). Not only blanch the issue of any meaning but eroticize it! Helmut Newton lives on...
10I'm just confused as to how "pro meat" qualifies as a political stance. While I appreciate the gesture of trying to think outside the world of fashion, perhaps they just furthered the model stereotype. Or perhaps only a few did. Or maybe it was just Kathleen who supports fur because it's hot and is somehow magically taken from naturally dead animals.
11I agree with Molly, the judging with the girl with the fur was hilarious!
12But it seems like ANTM strives for "controversial" and it always comes off a lick offensive or just bad. I read an interview with one of the girls from a past cycle and she said something about why can't we ever just look pretty?
wow
13the pro-life one wasn't supposed to be a parody: women who are strongly pro-life chain themselves to doors as a form of stopping people from entering.
14i thought it was great.
15lilxmissxmolly - Exactly, that real-life situation in which women chain themselves to doors of clinics is a serious thing, and to do a fashion shoot about it seems like a parody to me. They seemed to think that these very somber issues would make for "cool" fashion shoots, and it ends up trivializing the issues.
16I wish that these Contestants can shave their heads last year's Contestants, Politics is Boring.
17what part of the show do the writers write? is it only a half-reality tv show?
18i did see the episode when she said "i only wear fur when they die in the jungle" and the look on twiggys face was classic. she looked like that model skinned an animal right in front of her. it was probably the first time in ANTM history that a model was kicked off for being stupid
19TEAM FLUTTER!!!!!
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