You are fieeerce! As Tyra Banks would say

Sun, 06/08/2008 10:06 AM  |  Lifestyle

Do you watch America's Next Top Model? I am not just a fan of it, I am a fanatic. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, it's a reality TV show, just like American Idol, but for the modeling industry.

The show was created in 2003, and is produced, hosted, and judged by Tyra Banks, who is herself a former top model.

In the show, regular girls with model potential compete against each other, until finally one winner takes it all: the title of America's Next Top Model (ANTM).

ANTM has inspired not just Americans, but girls across the world (given that it's been localized in other countries) to pursue their dreams.

The show also influences other areas of the fashion industry, such as photo shoots, creative direction, model make overs and fashion shows.

The program's mixture of creativity and commercial aspects really works. Moreover, who doesn't enjoy watching these model wannabes struggle with various assignments, from being made over, to stumbling in heels in a catwalk battle, to the nude and artistic photo shoots. Most importantly, viewers are privy to the drama and endless bitch fights among the contestants.

Today, the show has reached its 10th cycle. Each of the winners represents a Top Model quality: star power, killer cheekbones, diva attitude, "edginess", a couture figure, catwalk poise, classic beauty and fierceness. Not familiar with these terms? Don't worry so much about them, just nod.

But something is in the air. Saleisha Stowers, winner of cycle 9 is said to be too commercial looking, while cycle 10 winner Whitney Thompson is a plus-size model.

Being a commercial model means representing the common look, not specifically in the alta moda category, but more like catalogue girls. Pretty but not edgy. And being a plus-size model means you can only model for specific needs: plus-size collections, that is. So, what happened to Tyra's promise to contestants of "You are fieeerce!" (pronounced with your index finger moving rapidly from left to right in front of your subject).

Well, personality wise both Saleisha and Whitney deserved to win, but not just because it was about time for a commercial looking or full-figured model to succeed.

For some people it's a good sign that now everyone has the chance to model, regardless of their bone structure or their dress size. For we, the fashion police, a model must be uniquely beautiful. On the runway or in the studio, you only get one chance to snap that killer image. A good model must be fieeeerce enough to carry off different looks.

So, judging by the direction of ANTM, are we to believe that fashion models are becoming more ordinary?

Why is it that lately "everyday girls" are taking away the top model title and contestants who look more like models are losing out?

Is Tyra just trying to do the unexpected for the sake of surprises on her show? By the way, she even eliminated me from her myspace friends list just because I commented that she had too much make-up on in one of her photos. I hate her!

When TV show meets fashion reality drama, we never know for sure whether they want to create special awareness or simply manipulate their viewers.

Is ANTM the breakthrough women have been waiting for, to embrace and appreciate realistic proportions and the looks of everyday real women, and not the "unrealistic" models of yesteryear; or it is simply rebelling against the norms of the fashion industry for the heck of it. Regardless it has succeeded in being an indirect public service announcement to boost women's confidence, and Miss Banks herself has earned even more fans.

Hate her or love her, her show draws the highest ratings in its TV network. Nothing touches the heart more than seeing "top people" who look like people and not "skyscraper glamzillas".

Well done, Tyra! The Mistress of Transformation herself has morphed with style from being a top model, to an actress, to a singer, to a business woman, to a talk show diva. Now she's one of four African Americans and seven women to have repeatedly been ranked among the world's most influential people by Time magazine. Fashion indeed sells dreams, just don't get taken for a ride.

-- Diaz

Glossary:

Alta moda: High fashion

Edgy model: The one who stands out from her personal style and sometimes imperfections rather than ordinary beauty.

Fieeerce!: Sharply fabulous

Skyscraper glamzilla: Tall glamorous girl-zilla (not Godzilla!)

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