Next Top Model Gets Plus Sized in America and Australia
By Radhika | 04-Nov-08 in Current Events
The American Winner
Whitney Thompson broke the mould and won America’s Next Top Model earlier this year. Agreed, she’s not exactly large, but in the toothpick-figured world of modeling, Whitney is plus sized. In fact, Whitney’s win has been a big deal even more so because she is a “full-figured”/ “plus-sized” model.
Parent company of Lane Bryant, Catherines, Fashion Bug etc, Charming Shoppes Inc, recently announced they had chosen Whitney Thompson as brand ambassador to represent ‘Right Fit’. Right Fit apparently does exactly that – helps women of any shape find the “right fit” for a pair of jeans or pants. As the first full-figured winner of America’s Next Top Model, Whitney was the obvious choice for brand ambassador.
Whitney spoke of her parting ways with a friend who told her she was too fat to go far in the competition and the winner of the 10th Season of the hit show hopes her win is an inspiration to other girls with real bodies. Tyra Banks, who created the show and is a judge has repeatedly promoted body positivity both on and off the show.
Supermodel Tyra Banks - photo by nostri-imago
Australia Follows Suit
It seems that Australia is now following in the footsteps of its American counterpart. At the auditions for Australia’s Next Top Model, judges have called for plus-size contenders. For the first time in its five-season history, Australia’s Next Top Model is looking for a plus size winner. However, judges for the show insist these women are not “plus size” but simply “normal size”.
Australian judge, Charlotte Dawson supported the plus-size competition. However she said the “plus size” winner would have to work harder as Australia had considerably lesser plus size opportunities than USA. She hopes the plus size winner will be able to make some changes in the Australian fashion scene.
Host Sarah Murdoch is pushing hard for a plus size winner this season. She said, "I am really pushing for a plus-size model this series because I am a big believer in healthy body types and encouraging girls to be the right body type.”
Australia's Next Top Model? - photo by habesha
The fashion industry has faced a lot of criticism recently for promoting skinny models. In fact, Australia’s Next Top Model was criticized heavily last season when the 17-year old winner was asked to lose weight. And although Size 10, 12 or 14 can hardly be described as “plus size”, I like to look at the positive side and believe that fashion is finally waking up to the real picture.
As one of the judges for the American show, Paulina Porizkova said Whitney’s win shouldn’t be called full figured or plus size but just beautiful. I couldn’t agree more.
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I generally avoid reality TV, but I love Next Top Model, both America's and Australian's. Cycle 10 of the US version was recently broadcast in Australia and I was thrilled when Whitney won. She was beautiful, and confident, and very comfortable in her skin - more comfortable than the skinnier girls on the show, I think. I'll be very interested when the next season of the Australian version starts to see if they include a "plus size" contestant and if so, how she is treated by both the judges and the other contestants. She'll certainly get my vote and support!