Has it really only been a year since Montana Cox won last season of Australia’s Next Top Model? Oh, wait. She wasn’t last year’s winner (although that Spidery-legged babe has been everywhere lately). No, that would have been Melissa Juratowitch. Oh, wrong again. Last years winner was Brittany Beattie of course! The Bobcat driver from Victoria who transformed from tomboy to fierce and fabulous model.
Admittedly, Australia has no choice but to pump the cycles out if they ever want to catch up to America’s Next Top Model’s 22 seasons. While the American show announced its end in October last year, their final three cycles featured both girls and guys. And in case you’re not up to date, males won the last two. Males! And if Australia’s Next Top Model ever wants to reach those ratings heights we also need enough seasons to have an “All-Stars” version and a “British Invasion”. Or in our case, an “American Invasion”?
Since 2005, Australia’s Next Top Model has been making and crushing dreams, establishing international and local careers, and all the while, sucking viewers in like a rat with cheese.
And to be honest, who doesn’t love a bit of reality television after a long hard day at work? Especially when it involves some sort of snack that can be periodically thrown at the screen. With content this tantalising, it has been consumed with vigour since its first season. In fact, ANTM has enjoyed the most viewers for a reality show on Subscription Television in Australia.
This season, with new mentors, a new host and a plethora of special guests to feature, it’s expected to be another ratings hit, and expectations are as high as the contestant’s cheekbones. Jen Hawkins is back, as is Alex Perry, the judge who has seen it all and said it all throughout ten series. Iconic model Megan Gale takes the reigns as host, working again with Perry, whom she joined forces with on the third season of Australia’s Project Runway in 2011.
With the departure of Didier Cohen as co-mentor (alongside Cheyenne Tozzi), concerns about the lack of male eye candy were valid. Thankfully for all the female viewers out there (99% of viewers?), this season is delivering the goods with two for the price of one: Jordan and Zac Stenmark will act as mentors and role models for the girls.
Brian Walsh, Foxtel’s Executive Director of Television certainly hit the nail on the head when listing their contributions to the show: “they’re fit, they’re positive, they lead healthy lifestyles… they’re clearly incredibly handsome and I think female fans of the show will love having them…” Agreed. Definitely agreed.
The shifting roles mark a new chapter for ANTM. A facelift, if you will. It’s a makeover that is needed if the show expects to keep charging forward into the future. Times have changed since Gemma Sanderson won the very first ANTM crown back in 2005, and so too has the show. For starters, Gemma was 22 when she won, and the minimum age for contestants was eighteen. From Season Three, this limit was lowered to sixteen.
With the ever-changing modeling landscape, where babies are thrown straight form womb to catwalk, the contestant’s median age has definitely fallen. With 11 of this years Top 13 being 20 or under, the fact of the matter is: the modeling industry appears to be a ruthless one, favouring youth and always seeking the next young thing to be a hanger for some sample-sized clothing.
There is one 25-year-old contestant this year, Vitoria who feels this is her last chance at modeling. It’s a sad statement, and why is this so? In theory, if adults are the market buyers of most brands, then why do models in that demographic not model the clothes? Are they not made to ‘sit well’ on mature bodies?
Either way, the industry is changing. There are movements to improve the diversity within the industry, as seen in the “Natural Hair Movement” (thanks Maria Borges!), and a greater appreciation for the so-called “curvy” girls. Ashley Graham became the first plus sized model to grace the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Designer Carrie Hammer launched a “Role Models Not Runway Models” campaign, which saw Jamie Brewer become the first model with Down Syndrome to walk at New York Fashion Week in 2005.
Another evolution occurring within the modeling world is the impact of social media. Models are being ‘made’ by the number of followers they gain on Instagram, with these same numbers also garnering the attention of big-name industry members and international brands. IMG now have a specific hashtag used to scout models. Chadwick Models has a dedicated “Influencers” category. Back in 2005? There was no such thing as Instagram. Most people had flip-phones.
It’s no wonder Australia’s Next Top Model is hitting the ‘refresh’ button. For the contestants it’s a lucky thing too. Due to the role social media now plays, the exposure offered by the show is exponentially more significant that in years past. And who said you have to win to be a winner? Make a few of the influential judges impressed and you’re well on your way.
Alex Perry, in particular, has been a great supporter of many of the girls, including Season five’s Cassi Van Den Dungen. Even after the 2014 controversy surrounding Van Den Dungen’s weight, a scandal that was ignited after she walked in Perry’s collection, the designer remains a loyal fan. Continuing to support the model, “a really beautiful girl”, he featured her in his 2017 Resort Lookbook (See the photo gallery below). Van Den Dungen is just one of the show’s success stories.
All fingers and toes are crossed that this year’s line-up will be just as talented. And if we know ANTM – oh, we do – there are several certainties in store: the extravagant photo-shoots, some high-pitched squealing, Alex Perry’s eternally unworn sunglasses, a day of makeovers (see, high-pitched squealing), catwalk strutting, and who knows, maybe a little bit of drama. Okay, maybe a lot. Because while some things change, others will always stay the same.
