They’re back! And this time with a brand new set of girls and new challenges to test these below amateur models in order to become the fourth Asia’s Next Top Model.
The season was packed with fashion, style, drama, comedy, awkwardness and totally untalented efforts to bring high-fashion in Asia.
With a brand new host (thank God), Cindy Bishop who would probably not be back in the fifth season due to the emotional schizophrenia of being attached to the girls; a brand new model coach, Kelly Tandiono who we do not see coaching and/or present in most episodes, making me ponder where Joey Mead-King was when we already have a perfect host to match her; and finally to complete the panel of judges, the loud—the monstrous—pompous creative Director, Shout-Tsai… I mean Yu Tsai.
Follow twelve girls who are mostly emotionally weak, dramatic, risk takers when screamed at, unprofessional, unchallenged, sickly and most of all, quitters, as they make their way in becoming Asia’s Net Top (amateur level) Models.
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I know it is a harsh opener but what do we get from being nice when it’s not the real thing anyway?
So, I’m a fan of AsNTM since first season and I’m always amped up every time there’s a new one. But then I have to be real: this season was not their best. It’s probably the weakest of all.
The problems stem from the models themselves. The cast is really weak in terms of 1.) Overall personality, 2.) Modeling skills and 3.) Drive.
Well to start, we’re Asians. We are emotionally sensitive when it comes to criticisms and harsh reality that is told to us by another person. In addition, we’re mostly non-confrontational, that’s why when Yu Tsai came in everyone was culture shocked including Cindy and Kelly where you could feel the awkward exchanges in their clashing opinions. And culture shocks happen to one person in a community and not the other way around, but Yu Tsai is just so westernized that he flourished like white supreme.
Yu-Tsai
Anyway, the girls truly are pretty but the talent was lacking. I know this is not a contest that brings super models to the test, but this isn’t also a contest that brings a girl with no modeling potential either. That’s why it became very frustrating episode per episode until it was painful to watch the show. The missing talent/s in every photoshoot makes me cringe that I remember watching Episode 3 or 4 made me feel like the show was becoming a joke.
The dissatisfaction was also vivid in Glenn Tan’s face every time he appeared on an episode (don’t get me started with his rant on Sang-in which was one of the most awkward things ever happened in Top Model history) which is unusual because, although he tried to keep a poker face in previous cycles, you know he’s impressed (especially Cycle 2).
Also, most of them aren’t that interesting to start with. I can only remember Sang-in, Tuti………….. yeah. I even find it hard to recognize the Filipinas in the contest and I’m Filipino!
The most annoying thing about the weak casting is their low drive for the Top Model label.
A little drama is inevitable and fun, but when drama ranges from losing the drive to stay in the competition to thinking about quitting: it becomes really pestering. And it didn’t happen once or twice this season, it happened plenty of times starting with Mai Ngo, the very ‘energetic’ Jessica, Alaiza, Tuti and Angie. Not that my opinion matters the most, but why even try if you just want to stop in the middle? It’s not like you don’t know what’s to come… Top Model is craaaazy with lots of twist and turns in one cycle that’s sometimes borderline nonsense but entertaining. Makes me think: do they watch any Top Model show? So, I really wonder how AsNTM did their casting.
And with those said, I think they should cast an even more powerful set of aspiring models that can spontaneously surprise audiences that also are interesting enough for us to stick around until the finale.
Also, I have to point out two unjust issues in the season starting with Jessica’s dramatic ankle injury who they gave a very special treatment in one photoshoot where models have to jump on a trampoline. I mean, Tyra wouldn’t have agreed on her not performing the same thing all the other girls are doing because it’s unfair. It’s ruthless but it’s a contest: a ‘do it or go home’ kind of contest. I mean, it was totally unfair to the other girls when all she did was just flip her hair and it’s a wrap. And the worst thing was that she was in onto the next round and the girl who jumped her heart out — fell out of the competition. People, including Jessica might say, “The girl might get injured even further!” but as I’ve said, if you can’t do it, better go home because it won’t serve the contest well if one is given the privilege others can’t have.
And the other unjust issue was about Yu Tsai’s treatment between Tuti and Angie. Angie had confidence issues with her bikini and Yu Tsai baby-sat her through the end of the photoshoot. What’s even more ironic was that he defended her to the other judges to which I find a real double standard, because Tuti’s issue was more pressing than Angie’s dramatic bikini meltdown. Tuti had a hard time in their Close-Up challenge which she finds that her smile is ugly. C’mon, Yu Tsai: what could be more pressing than a girl who doesn’t find herself beautiful? All I know is that Tuti’s issue shouldn’t have been taken for granted than Angie’s typical overdramatic amateur model protest. Or maybe Yu Tsai had a little crush on Angie? Hmm…
So, I already have an idea on who will win season 4, but I might be wrong. Anyway, I’m going to talk about the Top 3 models (and other models) in my future post before the finale.
