Wednesday August 2, 2006
The next top model?
By RUBIN KHOO
DO you have what it takes to be the next Tyra Banks? Let's get real. But becoming the next Amber Chia, now that could actually happen. Well, even if nobody manages to step into the show of Malaysia’s now favourite face, watching young model wannabes do their best aspiring to be the next big thing can only make for good TV-viewing.
Hence, 8TVs latest reality TV show I Wanna Be a Model. The new reality show aims to promote those who hope to make it in the modelling industry. But unlike other reality shows of this genre, this series will see both sexes vie for the title.
“This is the first in the region where we combine both males and females in the same competition,” said Lam Swee Kim, 8TV’s general manager of business development, marketing and communications at the programme’s launch.
While the first season of the programme is focused only on the Chinese community, there is a possibility that it will open up to all races the next time around.
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The 20 aspiring models shortlisted in new reality TV show I Wanna Be a Model. |
Each week will see the models go head-to-head in a modelling or fashion-related task. At the end of each episode, a male and a female contestant will be eliminated from the competition. The eliminations will continue till it is down to two male and two female finalists. But there will only be one champion.
As is expected in reality TV shows, viewers will have their say but the final decision will be made by a group of professional judges.
Occupying the hot seats are photographer-cum-director Christopher Low, deputy editor of New Tide magazine Jasmine Koh and model Steve Yap. The programme will be hosted by Lynn Lim and Dylan Liong.
The winner stands to win a modelling contract from Andrews Models, the official model agency for the show.
More than 4,000 aspirants turned up for the preliminary rounds, which were held in Penang, Johor Baru and Kuala Lumpur. The criteria for participation was that the contestants be between 18 and 26 years old, speak Chinese and not be managed by any modelling agency.
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Judges for the competition are model Steve Yap, New Tidedeputy editor Jasmine Koh and photographer Christopher Low. |
The advantage of being on such a show is that the contestants will be granted instant fame even before they embark on their career.
“You would have to work for years to get this kind of exposure,” said Ahmad Izham Omar, chief executive officer of 8TV. “We want to inspire people who want careers in this line to take that step.”
The goal is also to give the winner international exposure.
But what does it take to be a model?
“You have to be an all- rounder,” said Yap. “Not just doing television commercials or catwalk, but you also need to have the potential to be an actor or TV host.”
It would be interesting to watch the 20 finalists, he added. Not just because they are young but because the programme has allowed those with little modelling exposure to explore the profession.
For Yap, the most important quality is having the right attitude.
“You need to have patience and perseverance,” he said.
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