First transgender contestant a bullied bombshell on ‘America’s Next Top Model'
“America’s Next Top Model” likes to be progressive. Black, white, Native American, Asian, straight, lesbian, omnisexual, rich, poor, rural, urban, all kinds of obstacles, any kind of political statement.
Last season, cycle 10, gave us the first full-figured winner in Whitney Thompson, which is a big change for modeling, but not too surprising since host/producer Tyra Banks had a well-publicized weight gain since her own top model days.
Wednesday night during the season premiere of cycle 11, we even met Analeigh, who almost got sold as a wife to some guy in the Middle East.
Top that!
Oh wait – it also saw the first transgender contestant in Isis. Isis, who is a pre-operation transgender woman, was born male but always identified herself as female.
And yet, as France-born, white-haired beauty Marjorie might say, plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
The second they meet Isis, the other contestants whisper, then swarm around her to figure her out. Isis understands it – nothing new to her – and she tells them the truth.
If there is a stereotype beyond models being dumb, it's models being catty. And the girls did nothing to dispel either myth last night.
(Sidenote: One of the models is a Harvard graduate, and an English major at that, but she couldn't name any heroines of English literature or recognize any of the books - like "White Fang," for heaven's sake - when Tyra called them out.)
Cattiest of the bunch are the new mean girls – Kacey, Clark and Hannah. Kacey, who didn’t see Isis as real competition, was booted in the first round.
Clark and Hannah made it to the “Notorious Fierce Fourteen.” Pool-side, while flame-haired ultimate fighter McKey hears Isis’ story and calls her “a butterfly,” Clark and Hannah are in a corner talking about how they are not OK with someone who has different equipment down there.
Clark is the classic Southern belle cheerleader dunce, but even Tyra called her “pretty pretty” which comes off as “ugly ugly” in modeling. Hannah is from Alaska and talks about it like a third world country on Mars. They talk about how if you showed up being transgender in a small town in the South you would get shot.
And yet, when the 14 have one-on-one discussions with the judges, photographer/judge Nigel Barker says “Isis is the only one who really knew her stuff.” (And supposedly he and fellow judge Paulina only learned that Isis was born male at the final judging.)
It surprises me that Isis is more knowledgable than hilarious Joslyn - who says she’s tried out for ANTM 30 times, even though there have only been 11 cycles. Love her. She and Miss Jay – Alpha Jay, as opposed to Jay Manuel’s Beta Jay – have a rowdy little meeting. Not sure if she’ll make it to the finals but she’s fun.
Speaking of fun, when politics and modeling mix, it’s funny. Especially when Clark tries to figure out what bureaucracy means then blames other models for not telling her. (What exactly are you entitled to?)
At one point during the second hour, the models had to show different political issues – immigration, homeland security, bureaucracy, foreign policy, healthcare, military, etc.
Since no politicians can define the issues clearly it was a tall order for models to do it. I'm not convinced but then again this show started with the two Jays as Alpha and Beta spacemen and Tyra-bot as a hot Martian chick. This is just a trippy show.
Anyway, here are the 14 named in the first hour:
Analeigh – Pretty classic American girl with natural wind in her hair. This is the girl who was almost sold as a wife.
Brittany – Eh
Clark – Ugh
Elina – This girl is intimidating but striking and very classic model in her features. And apparently omnisexual.
Hannah – Alaska chick. Not very bright Alaska chick.
Isis –Impressing the judges, if not the bullies around her.
Joslyn – Great personality, hope she goes far on that energy.
Lauren – Striking light blonde hair and eerie blue eyes, should make for great photos.
Marjorie – My favorite so far by a country mile. Love her look, love her attitude, she just needs more confidence.
McKey – Unreal red hair and not a natural model but I like her.
Nikeysha – Not sure yet, beyond her already trademark "heeeyyyy!"
Samantha – Sorry, but I don't get her already.
Sharaun – So confident, overconfident.
Sheena – Only Asian contestant – she’s half Japanese, half Korean. Dating a black man, has thick New Yawk accent. Tons of bawdy attitude. She’s a character.
My girl Marjorie was the first name called and she got a prize - her digital photo displayed in the home where the girls stay. (So they can all trash her behind her little French back!)
Sharaun and Nikeysha in bottom two. Sharaun told off for not having substance in interviews. Nikeysha told off for cutting off judges when they critique her.
Sharaun sent home, told to work on being real. Good luck with that!