Eye Candy: Asia's Next Top Model Episode 1 Review

Two new beauty related TV shows were shown over the weekend. One was a pageant, the other a premiere of a franchise from the US.

The latter, Asia’s Next Top Model, of course is the brainchild of Tyra Banks and producer Ken Mok. It has spawned successful versions across the world, from Europe to Australia, and even Vietnam.

The move to consolidate the talents from different Asian countries into one show is arguably a good one. Asians are very diverse and the concept of beauty is also different from country to country. The program therefore could have been a great platform to study Asian beauty from different angles, and better yet, to show the world that the slitty eyed, china doll haircut stereotype no longer exists. Or does it?

In the very first episode, the contestants had to do an impromptu runway walk. The clothes were very editorial so that was great. But the styling was a little too obvious. In an attempt to complement the Japanese kimono-esque looks, the girls were given well, the china doll hair.

Ok, so maybe that is being too cerebral. The show is of course primarily an entertainment program. Like any reality show, the careers of the contestants and winners post season are never guaranteed. Reality shows, especially fashion and beauty themed ones, owe their success and failure to casting. Casting of the contestants, and of the judges.

Take some recent shows for example. Make Me A Supermodel was promising, but failed to secure a third season. Supermodel Niki Taylor was replaced as host in the second season. The contestants were flat, even though the show was quite well produced. How about Project Runway wannabe, The Fashion Show. African Supermodel Iman was brought it to take over main hosting role from Isaac Mizrahi after a disastrous first season. The show sank anyway and even Dr Ballard would not be able to bring that ship to the surface. And let’s not even go to 2004’s Manhunt...OY.

So what about Asia’s Next Top Model? Has it gotten its parts right?

Let’s break it down shall we?

The contestants:

Well, with a contestant named Filantropi, what can you expect from the rest of the show? Certainly not much back stabbing, bitching, alliances, and all around crazy behavior. Thing is, reality shows are based on a simple formula. Through a shared experience, the truth about human nature surfaces. Or shall I say, the worst parts of being human. Reality shows thrive on tension, and audiences who have been weened on Survivor and The Amazing Race have grown to expect some kind of aggression in the shows. It forces people to take sides, to root for the ones they like, to sympathize with them, to hate those they think are unworthy. Basically, reality shows lets the home voyeurs to feel like they have a vested interest in the outcome of the competition. It engages them into activity.

Asia’s Next Top Model? Not so much. By the twenty minute mark, I was already thinking of switching channels. The girls are gorgeous no doubt. But they were all so sweet and nice, the sorts you would want to bring home to your family. One contestant even used her challenge winnings to buy accessories for the rest of the contestants.

Seriously????

Perhaps being Asians, everyone just wants to put their best face forward and not embarrass their families back home. But hey, this is a reality show. The casting cannot have been just about how beautiful these girls are. They really needed to have more bite to their personalities, so that television moments can be created.

Right now, the only one that I can remember in the brood, is Melissa, the Malaysian contestant who was in the bottom two. Why? Because she is as every girl as anyone you may find at Lot 10 in KL. Which is not a bad thing. She is articulate, she knows her own limitations and in the spirit of a reality show, the underdog is always the one that ends up being audience favorite. It’s the story of the ugly duckling turning into a swan. It is what everyone fantasizes for themselves.

Interestingly, she is also one of the few contestants that actually look totally Asian. The rest are all some type of Pan Asian. You know, gweillo mixed with Asian.

The fashion industry in Asia seems to have a fascination with Western looking Asian beauties. While the West, for better of for worse has embraced the stereotypes of Asian beauties, we here in Asia want our dolls to look more Ang Mo. Why?

It is no different for Asian’s Next Top Model. The contestants mostly spoke with accented English. Those who were not native speakers, and gasp not Pan Asian, were noted to have difficulties in understanding the requirements of the challenge. So much so one of the judges commented on it like it was her fault.

Yes, so someone who can only speak rudimentary English may not get what QUIRKY means. Honey, if you asked me to pose quirky I would also ask you, “APA ITU KWERKEE HAR?”.

Ok so if one wants to be cerebral about it, I am not sure what message we are giving out to young Asian girls. That ethnic beauties are secondary to those born with the white gene? Shouldn’t girls be allowed to aspire towards the more attainable, like the girls from Girl’s Generation (plastic surgery notwithstanding)? They are closer to the looks you will find on the streets of different Asian cities.

The Judges:

There are supposedly four. Starting with the wannabe clone of Tyra, Nadya. Oh it rhymes, I can see the connection! To be fair, Nadya was a model. Was she huge? No. Was she a (koff) Supermodel back when that word actually meant something? No. She is not Junita Simon. But is she a credible host?

Yes.

Nadya is surprising clear in her hosting style. At some points though she was stiff and unemotional, but I suspect that this is more first episode jitters. One hopes as the season wears on, she will find her own footing and voice as a TV host.

Now the resident hunk, photographer Todd Anthony Tyler got a raw deal. He is not only judge, he is also known as the resident photog. I hope he is getting paid a lot. Other franchises have used their judges talents before, but usually in key challenges. But one wonders if he is going to be hauled in to do shoots throughout the season.

Todd is gorgeous but there seems to be a vacant look in his eyes that did not connect with the camera. As a judge, sure he made sense when he critiqued from a photographer’s perspective. But again, this is reality TV. And the judges need to have a quality that endears, either be the bitch or be the friend. But either way be animated and interesting. Todd was just flat, from his vocal tone, to his presentation.

Joey Mead? Well she was there for the challenge judging. And she went out there like a phoenix claiming how she will mentor the contestants. Ooo scary. And then for the rest of the ep, she was gone, not even making an appearance in the judging. Odd? And koff koff, I believe the best mentor for the models would the following guy:

I think the only judge that really has something to offer in the show is Fashion Director Daniel Boey. A veteran show producer, he of all people would know what to look for in a model. And fortunately, he makes a great effort to look the part and one can only wait with bated breath to see what he is going to wear next. He is like Andre Leon for this franchise. What must be said also is that Daniel is the only one in the panel that doesn’t have an accent. And he looks full Asian, if that matters.

The first episode of Asian’s Next Top Model was heavily marketed and I am sure the ratings will reflect that. Whether it maintains it’s scores remains to be seen. The show really needs to amp up the drama for it to make it through this season and potentially into the next. It cannot ride on the franchise branding alone to survive. The contestants really need to show some teeth, and the judges can’t be flat and tasteless like cardboard. They need to realize that this is not about discovering the next big thing and sending her out into the world into fame and fortune.

This is a TV show, and they need to be TV personalities. If anything, Nadya and Daniel have the greatest chance of anchoring the show properly.

But hey, this is up to the Producers. I am just a viewer with opinions :-).

Oh by the way: typical over selling, the trailer music from Cory Lee is fab. Really did it's job in pushing me to watch.