Aspiring models go through the wringer

GWEN Ruais

WE WATCHED “Asia’s Next Top Model” last week and were heartened to see that many of its season’s bets are worthy contenders, unlike the previous edition’s hopefuls, some of whom failed to pass muster. Props to the production, therefore, for having firmed up its selection process.

On the other hand, the new season got off to a “harsh” start when, on the competing models’ very first day, they were already subjected to a test and challenge—and the bet who fared most poorly was summarily told to leave, even before she had gotten a good night’s rest!

Yes, we know that the modeling and fashion world can be a really tough and even cruel environment, so would-be models would have to be ready for rough treatment. But, this first day-last day outcome was too harsh in our view.

The rigorous treatment continued the next day, when the aspirants were made to individually do a high-fashion pictorial—while being suspended in a big plastic “bubble” off the ground—thus, having to come up with sophisticated poses while nervously trying to keep their balance as they contended with the disconcertingly claustrophobic setup!

Again, yes, models have to deal with all sorts of “unexpected” requirements and limitations, while and still managing to sustain their focus and come up with superlative photos—but, this was more than a bit much.

It called to mind the even more unusual staging ploy resorted to by another TV modeling tilt—it had its models going down a “catwalk” that was almost perpendicular to the side of a tall building!

In that literally overreaching attempt to be “different,” contenders with a fear of heights were utterly discombobulated. The show got the “extreme” attention it craved—but, a productive challenge, it was not.

The Asian modeling tilt’s second-day challenge didn’t go that far, but its “model in a suspended bubble” gimmick still took the quirky cake.

The telecast’s lowest point for us involved Filipina bet Gwen Ruais. The former Miss World first runner-up joined the TV title to revive her modeling career after her beauty-pageant interlude. But, she wasn’t doing well, because she couldn’t make the big shift back to model mode.

The tilt’s judges razzed her for it, and viewers were shocked when Ruais was booted out of the competition!

The right of a “world-class” beauty being eliminated so early from a regional competition was so difficult to contemplate and handle.

Happily, the judges “modified” their decision by “technically” noting that somebody had already been eliminated on the tilt’s first telecast, so Ruais would be given a new lease on life.

She was warned, however, that if she couldn’t forget her pageant style and focus fully on modeling, her “reprieve” could be temporary. Message received, loud and clear.