Last cycle on America’s Next Top Model, Tyra Banks wanted to expand on the definition of what it means to be a beautiful fashion model by inviting petite women 5’7 and under. Being a petite myself, I was all for this idea. But now Tyra has moved on to a new project by launching a plus sized model competition called Tyra’s Fiercely Real Teen Model Search. The winner receives a major modeling contract. Eligibility requires girls ages 13 to 19, between sizes 12-20, from 5’9 to 6’1 in height.
This event could be partly in response to the increase in public demand for more plus sized women to be featured in mainstream media. It has already generated both positive a negative responses by news article commenters. The positive being that this is a step up in ridding the super skinny standard and will help bigger women feel more confident with their bodies. The negative asking why the limit stops at size 20 and 5’9 tall. It has also been questioned why they want only teen girls and why she didn’t just do a plus sized cycle on Top Model.
What do you think about this competition?
I think the ages are kind of odd for a plus model search. Girls that age are already insecure and I doubt many of them would be able to handle the tough competition that is the modeling industry.
You make a good point. Also, young girls that age are still going through puberty. Their bodies are changing and in that awkward stage. Some of them may rapidly lose or gain weight, and grow in certain places while other parts stay the same, making it difficult for them to find work.
I like the concept but I also have to wonder about the age restrictions and so on. It seems to almost defeat the purpose in a way, like plus size models still need to be segregated from the “standard” sized models? I guess its a good step forward anyway!
Yeah I see what you’re saying. I sometimes wish that they did away with the label of “plus size.”
Overall, I think its a good ideas. I’ve noticed a lot of the ‘plus size’ models seem to still be around size 8, which isn’t plus size.
I do wonder though about those certain limits, and why only teenagers. I think 13-19 year olds have other things they should be focusing on (school!) and even though its a competition focused on ‘real’ women, it is still encouraging women to use their body’s. How about next round we go for “smartest model”, or some other competition that encourages women its sexy to be smart!
tbh 12-20 is really large for plus sized models. those girls won’t end up with any work anyway, like most models from antm. plus sized in the modeling world is more like 6-12.
Joey, thanks for your comment, but Top Model winners (and some that aren’t winners) go on to lead successful modeling careers. Sure, they might not be big household names like Tyra Banks, but Tyra has been in the business for years and has done a lot in her career, so it takes time and effort to make it that big.
i’m talking about actual modeling work, not tv and commercial work. most antm winners don’t actually get a lot of modeling work outside of their contract if they aren’t model material to begin with, even if they are “breaking barriers”