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sia’s Next Top Model judge and resident photographer Todd Anthony Tyler may seem intense and serious on the reality show, but he was at ease in dark blue T-shirt and blue jeans for a recent morning interview during a stopover in Jakarta.

The Canadian-born Tyler sees the great potential for Asian models to break through on international catwalks.

“The industry here has so much energy, change, growth and potential. This is perhaps the best time to be an Asian model as the West is interested in the market, one reason being purely economic.”

He knows about being in front of the camera from his own experience; a biology-anthropology bachelor’s degree holder, he transitioned from modeling to fashion photography. A resident of Shanghai, he occasionally travels to New York and other fashion centers on assignment.

Here are excerpts of the interview about the show, getting ahead in today’s modeling world and if English fluency is a must for success.

Question: What are the qualities needed to be on the show?

Answer: First, you have to be Asian, Pan-Asian or at least one parent is of Asian descent. Then you need to be of a certain height, because the international standard is 1.76 meters. The show brings it down to 1.72 meters and tries to find different model types with diverse looking beauty, such as classic beauty, runway or high fashion.

Which is more important? Beauty/brain/attitude?

Hard to pick one, but in the end it’s brains. With brain, you can compensate your weakness and if you don’t have the attitude, you can figure out what attitude you need to have. Once you get scouted, you have to use your brain to get the jobs. We try to give feedback to the contestants on how to be a well-rounded, successful model. Whether they win the contest or not, they will go on to be a model, so the contest can give them some points on being successful in their career and life.

How important is English proficiency as an international model?

For the show, we need to speak English because everything is shot in English. But the most important is the development of the girls, how they respond to criticism, how they improve.

From my own experience as a photographer, English is not necessary because there are many top models who don’t speak English at all. Being a model is about being instinctive, being who you are, letting yourself be open for new experiences.

What are the common mistakes contestants make?

A lot of people don’t realize that although they feel something inside, it’s not coming through to the camera. You need to put all of the face, hands and body into the expression and to have that coming out through your eyes.

Best thing about being a judge?

It’s a new fresh way for me to use all my experience. I was a model for 10 years. Then I applied that knowledge as a photographer. But it just sits there like a trophy. Now I get to share the experience with the girls and the audience.

And the worst?

When we have to send a girl home. There are four judges, so it’s a democratic system. But it’s still painful. Another bad part is when fans say things in the social media, like, “You don’t know what you’re doing.”

Rate your own judging style.

Once I saw the show, I realized that I looked so serious. I take the work seriously, I want them to do the best, and give them honest, straight-from-the-heart input. Some people may see it as too direct.

From someone who has been on both sides of the camera, what are your tips for young people wanting to enter the industry?

You have to be ready for rejection. You should know how to market yourself, what kind of photos you need in the portfolio and which client that is best for you. The best model is the one who is willing to try any kinds of poses, because the ultimate goal of a photo shoot is to get a good photo. Sometimes I see the new models too relaxed in a way. During my modeling time, we made sure we’re on time, had fresh skin, no mark on our body because we didn’t have Adobe Photoshop. Now everyone looks like they’re coming from a party, smell like smoke, have spots on their face, look messy. We can Photoshop. But I think professional models should always be professional.

— Tifa Asrianti