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Tyra’s Photo Shoot Controversy
29-Oct-2009
Written by: Blakely Slater
Contestants on “America’s Next Top Model“ were made to appear as different races, and some critics are taking issue with the racially-themed photographs.
“America’s Next Top Model” is loved for its wild photo shoots and eccentric host Tyra Banks, but this week’s show may have been a little too weird for some viewers to appreciate.
Wednesday night’s photo shoot required the girls to take on the personas of bi-racial women. The races selected were meant to be different from one another and from the girl who would be transformed, and five of the six remaining contestants had their skin painted to complete the look. Some critics found this idea a bit too wacky, and even considered it to be inappropriate.
E! News thought the shoot was “just plain horrifying.”
Entertainment Weekly shared similar sentiments. A writer noted that the models acted “like there’s nothing socially charged at all about race-as-costume.” She also pointed out the touch of ignorance that accompanied this shoot, commenting on Banks advice for the girl posing as part Native American. Banks, who photographed the models, suggested that Brittany should think of staring at an imaginary eagle, which may be considered a stereotypical simplification of Native American interests.
Perhaps the disapproval is only a result of an increased sensitivity to political correctness, however. Season 4 of “ANTM” featured the girls posing as different races, but there was no backlash at that time.
The photo shoot was staged in Hawaii, where the girls were sent to following the tradition of transporting contestants once the numbers dwindle down. The girls also participated in a challenge, which involved surfing tandem with two male models.
Brittany Market was sent home but managed turn the critique she was given into a positive.
“It’s definitely hard to say goodbye,” she said on the show, “but I’m so proud because I get critiqued like, ‘Oh, you look like a catalogue model.’ What little math nerd doesn’t want to hear that? That’s a great compliment to me.”
“America’s Next Top Model” airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on The CW.
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