This year, expect to see Asia’s very first adaptation of original hit TV series America’s Next Top Model (ANTM), a fashion-themed reality television show, which was created by American supermodel and pioneer in reality television, Tyra Banks herself, whereby she has doned on the role of the host and executive producer of the highly-acclaimed show.
Now the America’s Next Top Model series, which is 9 years in the running, has an impressive panel of judges with the likes of fashion figures Andre Leon Tally, Jay Miguel, Bryan Boy and Kelly Cutrone to name a few. The show has since seen it’s fare share of drama, competition, style and most recently in Cycle 19, the weaving of social media into the show, whereby fans’ interactions and critiques are fundamental to the ultimate decision on who will be the eventual winner. To date, America’s Next Top Model is undeniably one of the most successful modeling competitions ever.
In line with that, there’s no better way to introduce Asia’s very own Asia’s Next Top Model (read more about it), than to kick-start it with Tyra Banks herself, who was here in Singapore this morning for the first time at the show’s press conference, which was held at the Equarius Hotel in Resorts World Sentosa.
The show, which will be produced by ice-TV, will be featuring well-known celebrity, former international model/VJ/actress/presenter, Nadya Hutagalung as the host of Asia’s Next Top Model. The show, which will be opened to girls of Asian descent and will be following in the footsteps of America’s Next Top Model, whereby Tyra said “it’s a competition for all races, irregardless of race, or even moments for example, Asian model moments etc.”
On top of that, she further highlights that Asia is more than ready for this modelling tv show:
“I think Asian girls are ready to kick some American’s tails” – Tyra Banks
She also stressed that the models, which were picked as winners in all cycles of America’s Next Top Model, were picked not just based on their looks, but also, on their confidence, their charisma, and even character-wise, which can be evidently seen in the show’s coverage of the backstage drama and relationships between each contestants as they travel and live together.
On some of the common issues raised in terms of model’s weight, Tyra highlighted that for the women, we have a challenging cycle when our body weight goes in and out of trend super fast. Back in the 1960s, we have curvy women like Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Lauren, and in Twiggy’s era, it was the skinny moment, and then fast-forward to 1990s where we have the athletic built of Janet Jackson as the shape to achieve. And now, in the new millennium, it’s all about stick thin models. She states: “The fashion industry has always been obsessed with thin. I’ve heard rumours that it’s cheaper because fabric is expensive or something.”
She then further elaborated that her show is not about stick-thin models, but rather, it’s about ‘fiercely real models‘, even if they’re plus-size models. Tyra also adds that she’s a curvy woman herself.
When asked who is Tyra’s it model of the moment, “Definitely Karlie Kloss, she’s bubbly, vivacious, and a beautiful model. I think she might even be Asian.” (We wish!)
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With that, we absolutely can’t wait for this exciting premiere of our very own Asia’s Next Top Model! If you’re as stoked as we are, and couldn’t agree further with Tyra, do watch this space, as more updates would be coming your way!
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She is stunning! I am so excited to see ATMN come to our part of the world. The dress Tyra is wearing for this event is amazing.