Bravo’s new reality show, Make Me a Supermodel, premieres Jan. 10 at 10 p.m., but last night’s casting special revealed the seven men and seven women whose fates we, the people, will control each week. Since our votes will determine who leaves the catwalk and who’ll score the $100,000 and modeling contract, it’s time for a PopWatch Pulse Check: Who are your early favorites?
MEN: The guys definitely had more interesting backstories than the gals, right? I’m torn between Atlanta’s Casey Skinner (pictured, left) 19, an even-hotter Taylor Hanson, and Nashville’s Ben DiChiara (right), 22, a cross between Scott Wolf and Wentworth Miller. Casey wooed me with his sense of mystery — did he read Vogue while living out of his guitar case in an alley? — and his considerable sound bite potential: "We don’t have to do a crotch shot, do we?" "I’m a Buddhist, so I really think just the whole love and compassion thing is, um, really awesome." Ben, on the other hand, got me with his ability to actually make sense. According to his bio, he’s been working as a deputy sheriff correctional officer for the last two years, which explains what he said on the show: "Sometimes you gotta put aside your dreams and survive for a little bit, and that’s what I’ve had to do." His bio also says that "he met his wife in high school, where they started as friends in band camp…" Layers!
WOMEN: In general, the ladies left me uninspired. Looking on theBravo site now, I feel like we didn’t meet half of them. The judges’favorite is clearly Jacki Hydock,a 21-year-old from Cleveland. I suppose she’s mine at the moment, too,since she appears mentally stable. (On the flip side, I can’t wait tohear what comes out of 22-year-old Shannon Pallay’smouth next. This will be hard to follow: "My name’s Shannon, and one ofthe most interesting facts about me is that despite my extremelyfeminine physical appearance, I’m actually a man." Waaay too long of pause. "I’m one of the most masculine girls you’ll ever meet. I’m like one of the boys.")
HOSTS: While I warmed to Niki Taylor eventually, I’m on TeamTyson Beckford. When he showed those two gents how to walk — as iftoward a beautiful woman — I finally got why everyone (on this show and America’s Next Top Model,at least) seems to swoon when he enters the room. He showed that he cangive both support and tough love, in the same sentence: "Rejection is like gettin’ kicked in the stomach. It hurts for a little bit, but it will eventually pass." Even more enjoyably, the man has no poker face. See: his reaction to Shannon’s poorly-timed proclamation.
Start your campaigns for your favorites in the comments section below. And look for PopWatch’s Snap Judgment on the show next Friday.
Comments (1-13) of 13 Add your comment
Mandi, you are on a ROLL with the good posts today!
I too like Casey. I also liked Perry (I think that was his name and am too lazy to go to Bravo.com to check…). Seemed like Niki was blushing a bit when he asked her to wink for him.
As for the girls, I think that Katie (again, I think that’s her name) with the southern accent was cute. And I really, for about 5 seconds after she said it, thought that Shannon was a transsexual. I almost peed my bed, I was laughing so hard. Poor girl.
I will definitely be tuning into the show this season. Here’s to models shows that actually have men on them! Maybe ANTM should do a little re-inventing after Cycle 9.
Maybe it’s just my natural inclination, but I was definitely more interested in the guys than the girls, though I had trouble keeping any of them straight (not that many of the guys were– rim shot!). My favorite thing about Casey was the way every time the camera was on him it looked like he was bathed in some sort of holy glow, and the dude from Miami who showed up at the audition shirtless is either going to be a hilarious cutup or an excellent villain. Really, it all depends on whether he was wearing that tuxedo t-shirt ironically or not. As for the girls, I liked the Southern chick with the bangs, and tranny-girl seems like she’s got some dorky promise.
I really didn’t need any new shows to obsess over, but I do believe I am hooked.
I really didn’t want to get sucked in to this show (letting the viewers decide who advances is part of why I despise American Idol) but, like most Bravo reality shows, I couldn’t resist. I definitely love Jacki – she had an absolutely rad walk – but none of the guys really stood out to me as being in it to win it. They were all hot, though.
After reading this, I just might give the show a try.
–read my blog at http://fashionpoirot.blogspot.com
I liked Ben, although there is something about him that leaves me a little worried he’ll get lost against the other guys. I wasn’t really impressed with the girls, though.
Tyson is so hot and he’s sweet too. I loved how he talked to each one of the people who got cut and gave them encouragement. It was nice. I’ll be watching this one for sure.
Sorry, but I have to totally disagree with you on Niki Taylor. She looks great, and I realize she has a sympathetic history, but she’s as stiff as they come. She’s awkward, trite, and painfully amateurish as she tries to channel Heidi and Padma in delivering horribly written reality show narration. I shut this show off after scannig through to the end and thought, “There’s no way this will make it through the season.” Tyson is hot and much more professional, though. He might have a future.
I was very excited about this guilty pleasure until the supremely sexy and hot Josiah didn’t make it. My three favorites were the three guys that America had to vote on. How to choose?? The guy from Miami (Frankie) bugs me. Jacki’s cool and gorgeous. Holly mumbles all her words. It’s always strange to see unattractive, overweight judges criticize a half ounce of invisible fat on a babe’s waist. And I’ve never understood Niki Taylor’s popularity. She’s not attractive AT ALL.
Does anyone else think Casey is a bit “Hansel” (He’s so hot right now)from Zoolander?
Is it just me or when I glanced at this story, I thought the pic was a before-and-after makeover. anyone?
Woo, Ben gave me the vapors…he reminds me of a stockier Brad Pitt. And Tyson…obviously I knew he he was amazingly beautiful, but he’s got a great personality, too! Wonders never cease.
Could you imagine if they redid ANTM with men only? That would be awesome. Miss J wouldn’t know what to do with with himself.
plese send me information on how or where to audition for i want to be a model i am writing for my son he is breathtaking but is only 5,5 thankyou help if you can from hopeful mom
I have a question……is Jackie puerto rican or what race is she? My husband argues with me that she is white…..??? I couldn’t find her bio anywhere that says that.