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RSS'America's Next Top Model' Cycle 13: Seabiscuit and Smize
I love Seabiscuit, he was an under-sized thoroughbred that became a racing sensation. Despite his size he won the Santa Anita Handicap. Seabiscuit went on to not only bring hope to the country during the Depression but proved the underdog can prevail. Tonight at the Santa Anita Race Track the itty-bitty contestants of "America's Next Top Model" cycle 13 each posed with a horse. Half naked. [Note: Click photos for larger images.]
Horsing around half naked.
Although most photo-challenges on ANTM seem contrived and stupid, a slight burst of interest tingled through my veins when I heard that the pint-size hopefuls, especially our tiniest Sundai, would be modeling with a horse on a racetrack.
Only it was boring, the girls were basically in the same pose and Jay wouldn't shut up about how much they all sucked.
I loved it in "Seabiscuit" movie when Jeff Bridges' character says, "When the little guy doesn't know he is the little guy he can do great things." I suppose that underdog spirit was expected to be the theme during last night's episode, but it wasn't.
Here was a moment here where Tyra could have shared the legend of Seabiscuit and how Seabiscuit, as the under-sized champion, battled the odds, something that relates to the pocket-size models, but nothing about the horse and the meaning was mentioned at all. It was more like they were there because the track was in California and why not?
I find the elements of pursuing modeling as a shorter girl is completed missed and not spoken about on the show at all. Also I find the "half naked" aspect of the horse shoot was degrading as well. When Laura mentioned "she liked nudity" it was cute but also it made me wonder why did the munchkin models have to be half naked anyways, with their hair extension barely covering their nipple popping out: Was it for ratings sake or does Tyra think short girls can't model a whole outfit well, and that shorter girls are only meant to model nude?
Too many girls fall prey to amateur modeling scams, and amateur photographers, and bad half naked (or worse) photography experiences. To show the girls half naked on a horse, with bad makeup, and too much hair, looking totally slutty was a diss. Even Courtney who got kicked off mentioned how difficult it was to look soft and pretty wearing an outfit that made them look like a whore on a horse. The only shot on the horse I like was Lulu, her hair covered her breasts and although the judges didn't like it, she photographed looking very natural, comfortable, and graceful. The judges gushed over Brittney but I thought she looked like a Vegas showgirl lying across the horse with her eyes smiling. And at the start Jay Manuel totally hated Brittney's pose but then the judges loved the result, maybe because the photo and poses are contrived and the show is totally staged? The makeup was too thick, and Bianca looked like a drag-queen on Christopher Street. I was upset that Sundai got told off for not showing her smiling eyes enough, but jeez where was the hairstylist to get her hair out of her freaking heavy eye-shadowed face.
Sidenote: Tyra misleads short girls everywhere about Wilhelmina Models.
Tyra mentioned on the first episode of Cycle 13 that Wilhelmina Models works with models of all heights and the winner of this cycle will get a contract with the agency. However, Tyra is misleading girls to think Wilhelmina actually does represent petite models. In fact. on Wilhelmina's website it bluntly states that Wilhelmina does NOT have a Petite Models Division.
Go check it out on the website for yourself. Under "Submit Photos" to the agency the question "What types of models do you represent?" is answered. It reads: "At Wilhelmina we represent different types of professional models, in almost every age, size and ethnicity. We limit ourselves to a specific amount of models in each category. The height requirement for female models is 5'8" and above."
Isobella Jade is known as one of the tiniest working models out there. She is also the author of "Almost 5'4"," her modeling memoir. This fall her graphic novel "Model Life: The Journey of a Pint Size Fashion Warrior" will be released. Daily, Isobella gives modeling insight and advice on being a shorter-than-average model on her blog, Petite Modeling Tips. Despite her height she has modeled for Marshalls, Victoria's Secret, Easy Spirit, Macy's, Bon Appetit, Time Magazine, TLC, Women's World, and many others. You can find her at www.isobelladreams.com and follow her on Twitter.
Related:
Tyra Banks turns 'Top Model' into a Super-Smized infomercial
Meet all the 'America's Next Top Model 13' contestants
Zap2it's full 'ANTM' coverage
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Wow. This cycle seems like a waste already.
This was a horrible excuse for a recap!!!!! You didn't discuss Bianca's tirades or any specifics about the shoot or the judging. You only talked about your knowledge of the modeling world and critiqued the show. How about a little detail and an actual show recap? You didn't even mention that someone was eliminated in the first part of the show! Get a column somewhere on modeling, but don't claim to recap a show when you aren't even mentioning the highlights. You could have at least covered how stupid Tyra was in her whole smize thing. Horrible recap since it didn't recap anything!
Apparently having an impressive interview at the Wilhelmina modeling agency or being one of the winners of the smize competition made no difference.
Courtney was the wrong choice. What does Tyra see in Bianca?
yes, i was just thinking how there hasn't been much conflict on this show, fearing this season will suck (again)
I like your recaps -- it's a different perspective since you come from a knowledgeable place (the modeling industry). I find it VERY interesting that Wilhelmina does NOT have a petite division. And I like how you pointed out the parallel between SeaBiscuit and petite models -- you made a more astute connection than the show did.
I think the reviews would be PERFECT if you combined what you have with some more commentary on the show itself. For example, you only mention in passing about Courtney being kicked off. I would love to hear your thoughts on why Tracy was kicked off (I think that was her name), and your thoughts on the interviews, the ridiculous smizing (LOL). What do you think they see in Bianca (besides ratings...if anything)?
I'd love to hear your thoughts especially since you come from am ore knowledgeable point of view. Thanks for your reviews!
Blaaaaaaaah....What is this? Where did the quirky recap go? I totally agree with you ANTMFAN.
I don't want to read about you and your experiences. I want a recap of the show. Please bring in either someone new or whoever did the recaps last season. They were great.
Terrible recap. I believe the reference they were trying to make with the semi-nude modeling on horseback with long hair was Lady Godiva and female empowerment.
What no comment on the elimiation of 1 contestant at the beginning, plus, the highlighting of 2 other contestants which will be targeted for early elimination--"left eye" and "baldy? I pretty much called the bottom 2 this week; i expect the "2" will be near or at the bottom next week since they probably don't have a chance with Wilhelmina. I'm sure ANTM had an agreement w/Wil to eliminate those they absolutely could not represent. I don't expect those 2 to make it to the final 4.
Also, no comment on the "smize" skit. Wow! Was that totally lame and amateurish or what? Remember, this show doesn't get going until about the 5 or 6 week.
Actually, Jay DID make mention of Seabiscuit's size & the comparison to the "petites' competion" (albeit a brief, almost missed mention).
I'm wondering why we no longer have an ex-supermodel (besides Tyra) on the judging panel.
This recap was terrible. I as well as some of the others here miss last year's "re-capper", they did an actual recap of the show. You've hardly done that, if at all. I live for zap2it's TV recaps - they usually beat out all the others available (EW, People) and i watch A LOT of TV, sad, i know - but i want to see what others think as well - and things i may have missed.
This recap sucks and I really don't need any of your "inside petite modeling knowledge" for a TV RECAP. Please - take your tales elsewhere and let's get last year's recapper back!!!