Ok ok, I admit it - I used to be hooked on America's Next Top Model. What can I say? I grew up in the 90's when super models were everywhere. I even subscribed to a model magazine, which didn't tell you how to model, but merely told you about the lucky people who graced runways, fashion periodicals and George Michael videos. I succumbed to Cindy Crawford's advice on MTV's "House of Style". I even walked the runway myself a few times when I worked for a contemporary teen's retail store. It was hard not want to become one of the beautiful people out there who seemed to get anything they wanted because of their 125 lb, 5'10 frames. And then the fad died out and people became bored with models. Fashion Café closed down, Crawford gave birth and Naomi Campbell began getting arrested for her assaults on her many assistants. But one woman wanted to make sure people understood how hard modeling can be and how tough it is sometimes for "the pretty people".
This woman was Tyra Banks, one of the major names from the second generation of the model wave from the 90's. Banks graced the cover of many magazines and became one of the first women of color to regularly walk the runways. In 1996, she became the first African-American to be featured on the cover of the Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue. In the early 2000s, Banks met with producers to create a reality competition show where the winner would become a top model. This is all fine and good, since who would know better what makes a top model, then a top model. With weekly competitions of who poses better or who can handle a bikini wax, it was hard not to be riveted, right? The catty remarks and conflicts between the more "free" models and the conservative Christians was enough drama to get this show recognized. It was the Real World with less validity and more issues, which would of course come with 12 pretty, but vacant girls fighting for the top crown. With years of melt downs and surprises, myself and other independent thinkers alike were hooked. Who would win the "coveted" titles? Would any of these girls admit their eating disorders? Which model drunkily cheated on her boyfriend with an Italian hottie and then borrowed a producer's phone to call and let him know of her dirty deed? This was trashy TV at its best. And every year, it became more and more "socially acceptable" to admit your dedication to this show and discussing your picks the next day by the water cooler.
But even after 8 cycles (which is the cute term Banks uses to describeher seasons), none of the "top models" were really top models. Most of the contestants looked like they just stepped off a Macys or Dillards prom dress showcase fashion show. The winners have Cover Girl contracts, but the only ads you ever saw them in were the ones played during ANTM. These girls were not on the covers of Vogue or Elle, hell they didn't even make Cosmo. The most famous to date is still Adrienne, the first winner, but that is more due to her time on another reality show "The Surreal Life" on VH1 and her marriage to former Greg Brady, Christopher Knight. The show has been bashed by most fashion insiders as trash TV and not truly reflective of the industry. There has been as much flack thrown at this show as there has been for Simon Cowell's mean remarks on "American Idol". And when you thought it would have to get better, it seemed the house the models were in was turning more into a museum of Bank's career highlights and the critiques from her all seemed to point out that the models "were no Tyra Banks". This little show seemed to become more and more focused on Banks then any of the up and coming contestants. It was no longer fun to watch these girls walk in 5 inch heels on cobble stones while being blindfolded. And Im not sure if its because I know there is no reason for these girls to do it or its just because I know somehow it will all be turned around to focus on Tyra.
Banks then debuted her own talk show in 2005, apparently because she couldn't speak enough about herself on one hour long prime time program. And it was no surprise that it was not a simple throwback to celebrity anchored talk shows of the 90's, you know, like Ricki Lake. Banks wanted to tackle broader issues and by this I mean, talk about herself while under the guise of helping people. Somehow this woman got it into her head that she could be and will be the next Oprah, since she had such success with wannabe 18 year old models. There were constant conversations about issues that Tyra had been through and how Tyra had a made a contribution to society and always slightly bringing it back to guest or topic at hand. It seemed more like the "talk about Tyra Banks" show then a talk show on real topics. Late last year, tabloids pounced on a picture of Banks apparently vacationing where it seemed she had gained a good 40 pounds to her frame. She then fought back by running around in a bathing suit and yelling at the media to "kiss her fat ass!" She then decided by allowing 2 plus-size girls compete in this season's ANTM that she would assist in combating the backlash on heavy girls. This was one of the more degrading things I have seen this woman do. If she is so pro plus-size, why not have an entire season of heavier girls? Is it because she knew the ratings would fall even lower?
But she really hit one out of the full of yourself park this past February. With her talk show discussing the topic of Black History Month, Banks explained how her gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1996 in a bikini marked a powerful point in Black History and how it pretty much changed the world. She then posed in the same bathing suit to mark the 10 year anniversary of that "life altering moment". And I was shocked that audience members didn't riot. How can one woman believe that even after all the work done by leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Shirley Chisholm, and Jesse Jackson, to name a few, her name even warrants a mention? And this was when I realized this woman has over stayed her welcome in the pop cultural zeitgeist. Once you start comparing yourself to actual important people with no irony, its time we lock you up, or at least take away celebrity status. And what bothers me the most is with the storm against celebrities discussing political topics, on both sides of the coin,even as well versed as they are, this woman has managed to create and produce a podium for her to "discuss" anything she wants.
But here is my point, Ms. Banks must go. She has had enough face time for a lifetime. This is a woman who believes that appearing on the cover of a swimsuit magazine has led to changes in the perceptions of African Americans in the US. She is the poster child of narcissism and the typical culture of America right now. Tyra Banks is the living embodiment of the lack of self awareness in most people in America nowadays. She assists in promoting a culture of selfish and self centered women, who pretend to discuss heavy topics, but are really just worried about being fat and how others perceive them. This idea that anyone who is famous has the ability to discuss issues with validity is a crock. I'm not even sure if she even graduated high school, let alone is well versed in sociology. Tyra has worn out her welcome in my TV viewing life and is only viewed on "Best Week Ever", which her clips are now weekly regulars. Ms. Banks and her grating personality have led me to remove America's Next Top Model off of my DVR and I hope it has for you too! Not sure how low her ratings need to go for her to realize the error of her ways or better yet, the network's error.
