We’re less than a month away from experiencing Cycle 13 of America’s Next Top Model — the two-hour season premiere is slated for Sept. 9 on The CW — and I’m not entirely certain I’m excited. Last spring, I suggested five ways Tyra Banks’ aging reality competish could freshen its formula, yet this season’s big innovation (all 14 contenders will measure 5′7″ or less) seems more of a headlines-grabbing gimmick than a way to raise the ANTM stakes by making sure the eventual winner has a career that goes beyond six months of ribbon-cutting ceremonies at discount stores nationwide.
Still, DVR habits die hard, which means I’ll at least tune in to the season premiere before I pass judgment on the entire season. And speaking of passing judgment (fun!), initial photos of all 14 contestants are now online at The CW’s ANTM site, which means we can all channel our inner Tyras and emotionally torment some beauties with fragile egos choose our early favorites. Here are my three early picks cracking the final three:
Kara: Every cycle needs a megabeast who’s good at stirring up s*** in the Top Model house, and Kara (left) is serving serious contempt with that facial expression in her initial ANTM shoot. Can gossiping, backstabbing, and screaming tirades be far behind? I sure hope not!
Lisa (center): Look! Girlfriend possesses “wind in her hair,” and we all know from the first 12 cycles of ANTM that you can’t teach that difficult and all-important skill set. (Also, Lisa’s really pretty, and she’s from Queens, just like my good friend Ugly Betty!)
Jennifer (right): Has already mastered the art of smiling with her eyes, and seeing how she’s 23 years of age, she could fill that vital role of the contestant who gives the judges a chance to play that timeless game of coming up with euphemisms for “too old for the modeling business.”
Check out the 14 contestant photos on The CW’s site, then head to the message boards below and name your three early faves!
Photo credit: Jim DeYonker/The CW
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By letting in the shoerter contestants, they have given up on the idea that this is a modelling competition. They shoudl concentrate on acting because that’s where the contestants have had the most success after the show.
This show was never about modeling; its about Tyra.
I don’t think it. Far becouse thay won’t girls that are 5.9 and under 28 yr. what about girls that are 4.9 or 5,3 and are 30yr that look 24. It massed up. I gessest most. Places are like that its been my dream . And it still is.
I guess the types of jobs the models will get are beauty and print campaigns b/c they are considered short for modeling standards.
Types of jobs? Oh that’s cute. Like they’re going to get jobs.
Kara and Laura are the best of that group.
Courtney – she’s got pretty bone structure, and looks fresh-faced. As a cheer instructor, I’ll bet she’s got a lot of energy, though that could work against her.
Rachel – she’s got an interesting face, in a good way. She doesn’t look (to me) like anyone I’ve seen before.
Nicole, maybe – she reminds me of those twins they had on there a few years ago, and they did well.
I love Laura!
Just judging from the pics, I have to go with Erin & Nicole.
Does no one else see Kelly Bensimon in Kara? They look disturbingly similar to me.
Lovin Laura.
Yeah, I’ve worked as an agent and even the gorgeous 5′8″ girls had a hard time getting jobs because of their height. The winner of this cycle is sure to be nothing more than a curiosity.
None of those girls look like anything special. BTW Slezak, of course Jennifer already has the smiling with her eye thing down. According to her bio, her current occupation is model. Here’s hoping she’s more than a repeat sayesha.
Kara has that masculine face thing like Kelly Bensimon going on-a little much on a 5′7″ or less model- which brings me to the main point- it’s not a modeling show at this height- it’s just another oddball show for it’s even odder hoochie host Tyra Blank-shooter.
Lisa looks drunk.
My money’s on Rae. Did you see she’s a mother? I’m sure she’ll be Tyra’s cause this season.
I know most of these girls are super thin, but Lulu looks almost concave! Someone please give that girl a milkshake!
while it’s true many of the winners have not found great success, some have and while they might not be “super” models, they are still getting work and continue to impress me long after the show has finished. also, many contestants (not winners) have found great success as well. you can check out all-antm.net to see their portfolios
One way for Tyra to revamp the show, is to have real woman models; Fox’s ‘More To Love’ just doesn’t keep my interest enough, I would love to see ‘America’s Next Top Plus Size Model’ not sure shortening the height requirement was a good move. I want Tyra to start stressing that all women are beautiful whether you smile with your eyes or not. She should mix it up a bit.