I love TLC. I think Petra Nemcova is an inspiration and the girls on the show are adorable. But I think this show sends a bad message void of anything worth "learning" except how to develop an eating disorder. In what universe are any of these girls fat? It was laughable to see the agency nazis talking about how Valeria is pear shaped and Beatrice is too thick. I understand that such is the reality of the modeling industry but why is TLC promoting this message? Even America's Next Top Model shows better morals that this show. I was disappointed to see TLC, a network which promotes self improvement and inspiration through shows like Little People, Big World or even What Not to Wear, cheapen themselves and alienate their audience with a show that spent so much time belittling these poor girls-- girls who most of American woman aspire to be like no less. In contrast, last year's show with Federique left the viewer inspired, A Model Life left me quite saddened.
As a working Fashion Stylist for magazines and fashion spread...I can tell you that TLC is showing the TRUTH. Shows like Tyra Banks Next Top Model are STILL not reality...she hides a lot!!! Remember it is Tyra's show on a family network...she can tailor the show to appear how ever she wants and the network can censor Tyra to make it "more entertaining" or tell her "make the show focus on morals" or they can cut the show off the air. I'm surprise that a veteran model like Tyra would allow the modeling industry to be televised with such entertainment sugar coating.
Any defense of the modelling industry and the images they send young girls is a joke. Maybe if people started speaking out against it more like we are, the fashion industry would be forced to change. The part that makes me most nauseous is that there are parts of the world where people are desperate for a crumb, and in the fashion industry they are telling people to not eat- it is a sick and twisted world when the wealthy and bored starve to be as thin as the poorest and most desperate.
I worked as a photographer "in the business" and I have to agree that this show is more realistic than ANTM but...that show has must be 18 to audition...so you get more mature young women.. I am inclined to feel uncomfortable with the talk of making a 16 yearold girl get in touch with her sexuality.. Yes it may be more "real" but the bottom line is still to make a tv show..and this one comes across as slightly perverted.
hahaha I'd rather SEE what they say to these girls about their weight than wonder with shows like ANTM who may be butchering their weight behind the scenes. The modelling industry will not change, the reason these models have to be so small in the first place is because designers want a model who can stand beside a manequin and have the same sizings so that fewer alterations have to be made before she's out on the runway. Also, being in front of the camera it does add 10 pounds. Yes it's brutal but it's the industry and thats just the way it goes.
