America’s Next Top Model 2 – A Preview

Tuesday, January 13, at 9 p.m. marks the return of the surprise UPN’s reality hit, America’s Next Top Model. This show chronicles the day-to-day lives of 12 regular women, all vying to become just what the show states, America’s next top model. They will live together in a New York City loft and compete in challenges that will test their abilities at what they have learned from their mentor and host of the show, Tyra Banks. In this preview, we will get to know the judges, model-wannabes, and just what it is that makes this show so special.

I have to admit, I didn’t expect the first season of ANTM to grab me the way that it did. Each week, the girls would have to learn how to do an interview, walk down the catwalk, etc. in order to sharpen their model skills. Then there was a photo shoot at the end of the episode, that would be themed and the woman with the least amount of improvement would get the axe. Doesn’t sound all that exciting, but when you put these women in the some house together, it starts to get good. The catfights, the anorexic accusations, and don’t forget the whiney rumors, all make this a fun show to watch. Plus, the girls are hot and the judges are funny. Speaking of the judges, they include Janice Dickinson, who was on the first season of ANTM. Dickinson is considered one of the first supermodels ever and loves to tear the girls apart while complimenting them at the same time. It’s something that only she can pull off, believe me. Senior editor of Jane Magazine, Eric Nicholson joins the judges this season. With his keen eye for fashion, Nicholson will definitely give the girls a modern dose of fashion dos and don’ts. Photographer Nigel Barker makes his debut this season as well. Barker is a renowned supermodel photographer who has years of experience under his belt. Returning as a guest judge this season will be Jay Manuel, make-up artist for our model contestants. Manuel knows how to work the camera and comes out with the funniest one-liners. Can’t wait to see what he says this season. Lastly, there is our host, Tyra Banks. Tyra is there for it everything; she listens to the girls problems and offers them advice on the modeling industry. She is there not only to help them, but to be a friend. Now, let’s take a look at the contestants:

Jenascia Chakos, 21 – Right off the bat, I can tell I like her. This girl has spunk. Jenascia hails from Burien, WA, and is a waitress at Hooters, which tells me that she has the patience of a saint. Her mother was also a model, so hopefully it runs in the blood. Her file photo is amazing and makes her look ultra sexy. I’m hoping that she can pull it off, if for no other reason than the fact that she seems like such a cool woman.

Mercedes Scelba-Shorte, 21 – As of this moment, Mercedes is my favorite of all the contestants. Mercedes comes to us from Valencia, CA. Just from watching her audition video, I could tell that she was a fun girl that keeps it real. She also has this stunning look that reminds me of J.Lo dressed down. Don’t worry, that’s a good thing because J.Lo is sexy no matter what she’s wearing. The only thing I’m worried about with Mercedes is that she isn’t going to take this too seriously. Hopefully, I’ll be proven wrong, and we will see her many weeks in the competition.

Shandi Sullivan, 21 – Oh, Shandi! Don’t ask me why she let them use this as her file photo… I just don’t think it’s going to do her much justice. Look at those ears! Anyway, other than the Dumbo ears, I just don’t know what else to say. Shandi is in the competition because she is sick of working at Walgreen’s, according to her audition video. She’s from Kansas City, MO, and claims to be the black sheep in her family. The one thing I will say about her, based on her video, is that she seems to be very personable and friendly. However, she states that she doesn’t like to get dressed up and tries to always be comfortable. That could be a problem on this show.

April Wilkner, 23 – An account executive from Miami Beach, FL, April has the looks, brains, and determination to make it on this show. However, from watching her video, I am put off by her. Something about the way she talks makes me think that she is not telling the truth. She’s too much into the whole "I want to save the world by modeling" thing, which I have no idea how she plans to pull off. Anyway, I think she is going to be around for awhile. The ones I don’t particularly care for always are.

Xiomara Frans, 25 – Simply put, I love her. Xiomara is so talkative in her video that you can’t help but love her. Her personality just shines right through. She has a thick Brooklyn accent that you just wouldn’t expect to come out of her. Xiomara also has that exotic look that it seems everyone is trying to go for these days. She is currently a bartender in Morganville, NJ, but just like she says in her audition video, "This is her ticket out!"

Heather Blumberg, 18 – In her audition video, Heather says that she is "fresh fish" because she is so young and will have more time than the others to be a mainstream model. I bit my tongue. Anyway, Heather is from Moreno Valley, CA, and wanted to be in the competition because people always ask her if she is a model, so this is her chance to finally become one. I can’t help but be turned off by Heather because it seemed that she was a little shallow. That’s just my first impression and I could be totally off. Don’t quote me on this one, but I’m not seeing her as one to get along with the rest of the women on the show.

Yoanna House, 23 – One word: DULL. I’m sorry, but Yoanna was doing nothing for me with her profile, and her video was just as bland. She is from Jacksonville, FL, and lists her occupation as a babysitter. Wow, looks like this one is going place. Yoanna says that fashion is her life, and that she subscribes to 12 different magazines. I subscribe to Rolling Stone and Billboard; does that make me the next Randy Jackson? Ugh, don’t get me started. I just don’t think Yoanna is going to be around that long. However, she could be the sleeper in this competition – because her profile really put ME to bed.

Camille McDonald, 25 – Camille is another one of those exotic beauties I was talking about. Based on her video, she seems to have a very outspoken personality, but seems like she knows when to sit back and watch the drama unfold when necessary. A student at Howard University, Camille is a very good possibility to make it all the way in this competition. There is just something about her that makes her look so unique, which could be her charm. I’m not seeing her as one to be eliminated early.

Catie Anderson, 18 – Catie is an electrician who comes from Willmar, MN. She claims to be the "All-American Girl, with a twist." Catie also states that she hates models. Whoo-wee, this should be a good one. I see Catie being in this competition until around midway, when I think she will start to rub the other women the wrong way. However, in the meantime, I think she’ll definitely create a stir. I like her, think she has a great smile, and really does have that All-American look. Just don’t see her lasting until the end. Prove me wrong, Catie!

Sara Racey-Tabrizi, 22 – Okay, I like her until I watched her audition video. Sara really genuinely seems to want to be America’s Next Top Model and she looks amazing, however, when you watch the video, you will understand what I mean when I say she’s a little ghetto. Not sure what it is about her, but there is just this feeling I get from her voice and the way her facial expressions change when she talks. A restaurant hostess from Seattle, WA, Sara says she is articulate, stunning, and sarcastic as hell. Oh no, this one isn’t going to be around long at all and let her get sarcastic with judge Janice Dickinson – she’ll put Sara in her place so fast her head will spin. Next!

Bethany Harrison, 22 – Bethany is a waitress from Houston, TX. She claims to be the voice of reason in many situations and will be the spice that this competition needs. I think I agree with Bethany. Look at her – she’s gorgeous. Unless something goes terribly wrong, like she trips or tells Tyra off, I think Bethany is going to go very far in this competition. She seems to have a very nice personality and doesn’t strike me as the type to cause trouble. I’m betting that she is around for a good while.

Anna Bradfield, 24 – Aww, I love Anna’s look. She looks so pure, so… nice. There is something about Anna that makes me feel like she doesn’t fit in with the other girls though. Maybe she is too genuine. Not saying that the other girls aren’t, but it seems like Anna is just a bit more than the rest of them. She is a housewife from LaGrange, GA, and describes herself as virtuous, forgiving, and encouraging. This all comes through in her audition video. I hope Anna does well because she seems so positive and really there for the experience. I’m not even sure how to call this one, so I’ll leave it up in the air.

So there you have it folks, our 12 wannabe-models who will compete for several prizes, including the opportunity to be managed by IMG Models, their shot on the cover of a Sephora catalogue, and their own fashion spread in Jane magazine. I’ll be here each week to recap what happens and add my own insight into the episode. I have no modeling experience, and I’m a guy, but I can give it a shot. America’s Next Top Model 2 premieres on January 13, 2004, at 9 p.m.

Phil Kural is a senior at Temple University, and can be reached at pkural@temple.edu.

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