"There is difference and there is power. And who holds the power decides the meaning of the difference." --June Jordan

Thursday, September 11, 2008

OMG ANTM!

Even if reality TV (especially reality TV about models) isn't usually your thing, if you're at all interested in trans-rights and anti-racism, you should be watching this season of America's Next Top Model.

There is some juicy discussion material going on in this show, from the way the other models react and relate to Isis (the show's first openly trans contestant, about whom Monica Roberts posts all the details here, here, and here), to the cool and confident Sheena, to the shitstorm on tonight's episode in which some of the woc models called out Hannah on her not-so-subtle racism and she responded by storming out of the room, sobbing, and comparing their criticism to being gang-raped. Rrrright. I was cringing so hard I thought my face might freeze that way.

Next Day Update: That last part I mentioned is on YouTube today. Check it out starting at 3 minutes and 20 seconds in:

5 comments:

Monica Roberts said...

Isn't home girl from Sarah Palin's state?

Tracey said...

Hey, good point. I hadn't noticed that, but you're right!

Anonymous said...

I can't watch this just yet because Kamran's watching Stand By Me, but . . .

Do you think Isis is going to win just because they won't be able to kick her off and risk losing drama-induced ratings?

Tracey said...

Well, I know you haven't seen these yet, so I don't want to spoil anything, but she was near the top of the bunch the first week (very deserved) and really near the bottom of the bunch the second week (also deserved). Although the networks like drama, it seems to me that she has a good chance to make it really far based on her own merits. There's a girl in the competition who they told had one of the best pictures in Top Model history, and another one who reminds of Claire from last season, so I think she's definitely got some competition.

Do you think Whitney won last season just because she's the plus-sized one?

Anonymous said...

Last season weirded me out, because yeah, I thought it was time a plus-sized girl made it farther, but they should've just picked a prettier girl to make it far.

We're watching last week's episode right now, and Kamran was just like, "Why is she even here?" We just don't think she's nice to look at.