How a TV show about models can actually change the way we see ourselves and our neighbours.
ASIA MAJOR
How a TV show about models can actually change the way we see ourselves and our neighbours.
I find it funny that I am considered a reality show celebrity. I mean, I’ve been an editor-cum-stylist for a good 15 years and have been doing Asia’s Next Top Model for four of those. But to have an entire career pegged to a TV show where I judge models and how they perform is somewhat ironic. The success of the show is undoubtedly massive—over 11 million viewers tune in from over 13 countries in Asia to see what challenges and shoots we pose to the contestants each week. But as the weeks progress—and model hopefuls get cut from the show—emotions run high, and often, keyboard warriors take to their phones to challenge the judges’ choices. It’s a good thing: It shows engagement, and that viewers are really into the show. But people tend to get personal. This reality show, which brings together girls from all across Asia, suddenly gets pitched as a Miss Universe contest, with viewers from the various countries rooting for their own—often dissing contestants from other countries. But the models themselves don’t see their race or nationality as an issue. I can say that for a fact. I have been on the show since the very first season and none of the models have ever complained about xenophobia. If anything, they moan about the messy one, the lazy one, the vain one... But never about race, sect or religion. And that’s beautiful, because it shows that these Generation Z girls—some of them are as young as 17—don’t see country or skin colour as a barrier when they are in a group.
These aspiring models come from all sorts of economic and social backgrounds. Some of them have never travelled out of their country. Some live in villages and others in luxury condominiums. Some have rich daddies while others have never met their dads at all. It’s all so disparate, yet, somehow, when you put these Asian beauties together under 24-hour camera scrutiny for over two months, they actually really do get on.
Well, they have to. The media “blockout” works. None of the models are allowed any access to the outside world, which forces them to interact. The only exception is that when they win a challenge, they are allowed to chat to their loved ones. They are kept updated on important world events and some local news that might affect their lives back home—apart from these, no contact. Being forced to live with strangers who are girlfriends this evening and your biggest competitor the next day is really quite terrifying. And you never know who is going home at the end of the day. I am terribly proud of these girls. They go through a life-changing experience at such a young age and are practically conscripted into the Asia’s Next Top Model army, where they have to train every single day for their eventual passing-out parade (Read: The final runway show). The top girl graduates with a car, a modelling contract and the coveted BAZAAR cover—which you see in this month’s issue.
We can learn a lot from these girls. Despite such trying conditions, they don’t throw racism, class, economic background or education in each other’s faces. They respect the cultures of each and every one of their peers, and even embrace their idiosyncrasies. So, for anyone who dismisses the girls as just models, don’t. They aren’t. They are ambassadors for their country, they are women of the world, they are fashion soldiers, and they are hard competitors. The fact that they are genetically blessed with beauty got their foot in the door—but the fight to the end is real. And if you think the show is only about pale, delicate beauties—think again. “There’s a preference for fair-skinned models in Asia. But I want people to know that tanned-looking skin is pretty, too,” says Tawan in her cover interview. This is the new voice of Asia, people. She roars, not whispers. You have been warned. Send me your comments on Instagram: @kennieboy
Clockwise from top: Angie and Sang In goof around on set. Tuti cries as Tawan comforts her. Aldilla, Sang In and May are shocked at the results. The girls gather round for a wefie. Aldilla and Tawan share a tender moment.
