5 Reasons Why You Should Watch America’s Next Top Model: All Stars

Wait. Did I just type that? I haven’t watched an episode of ANTM since it was on UPN. #DontJudgeMe. After reading a tweet from Madame Nicki Minaj reminding her beloved “Barbz” to watch her judge the premiere episode of America’s Next Top Model: All Stars, I knew I had to tune in. Tyra Banks definitely delivered, bringing back some of ANTM’s most memorable, fiercest, and sometimes cut-throat models to ever face deliberation. While the show seemed a bit short and choppy at times, this is definitely the season to watch. I can’t with good conscience proclaim to be a die-hard ANTM fan, but I was immediately drawn in. It was evident Tyra tweaked her brand to suit what’s happening now in fashion and entertainment, which further pushes her forward as a business woman. So why should you tune in?

Camille

REASON #1 – Everyone’s favorite model villain is back. Before “Eva the Diva” of cycle 3, there was Camille McDonald from cycle 2. The Howard University alum makes her return in all of her broke down signature walk glory. Appearing more quiet than her first go round, she translated all of her fire into the first photo shoot. Camille’s ego is still through the roof, so you can imagine the possible cat fights with fellow  cast mates Bre Scullark and Bianca Golden.

Alexandria

REASON #2 – The audience gets to judge. Tyra listened to her fans this time around. The models are judged in front of a live studio audience and they get the final say. We got wind of it that tonight when Alexandria was booed by the cold LA crowd as she walked down the runway. One fan even said he hated her. Ouch.

REASON #3 – Those “Where Are They Now” episodes gave us mini glimpses into the professional lives of our favorite ANTM alum, but now we really get to catch up with the All-Stars. Up until now, the only consistent coverage of these models came from gossip blogs. Within the first 10 minutes of the show we learned that Bre and Bianca moved to Chicago together, Dominique recently had a baby, and Allison was a successful art director.

Brittany greets fans down the runway.

REASON #4 – It gives girls across America a somewhat realistic view of the life of a working model. It took us a few seasons to catch on to the fact that these girls are in charge of their own fate — not Tyra. The first girl to get the boot was Brittany, but she wasn’t sent home without a few comforting words. Tyra told her that she was proud because she is a business woman managing her own brand. In creative industries today where the dollars are so short, you have to be more than what you represent on paper. You can be as talented as you want to be, but companies are not entitled to invest in you. I like how Tyra cemented this message. Some of the models like Bre and Bianca have made success out of the exposure they’ve received, while others have barely warmed up.

Transgender Cast Member, Isis King

REASON #5 – Last but not least, you should tune into see women of different ages, races, personalities, religions and sexual taste all chasing a dream. We are in a tough time in America and we need all of these images represented. Tyra curated a varied cast that includes a farm girl who castrated cows to a Korean girl from Harlem with a enough urban sass to make you do a double take.

While there will definitely be some drama, this isn’t Basketball Wives, The Bad Girls Club or Jersey Shore. If not for the nostalgia, tune into support a black business woman, who’s taking the reigns on changing the way young women are being depicted on TV. Now, will you watch?

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1. Model to Watch : Lakshmi Menon
2. Model to Watch: Jeneil Williams
3. Tyra Banks Signs Deal with IMG