MTV asks wannabe models to lose weight
As if young girls didn't feel enough pressure to be thin, MTV is glorifying weight loss to achieve a model-esque figure with a new reality show.
The network's upcoming series "Model Makers" puts girls who are tall enough to be models — just not skinny enough — through 12 weeks of intense training to help them get down to their ideal size.
Women must be between 17 and 24 years old, 5'9" to 6' tall and 130-190 pounds to enter. A 5’9” woman weighing 130 pounds has a Body Mass Index of 19.2. The healthy range is 18.5 to 24.9.A 5’9” woman weighing 130 pounds has a Body Mass Index of 19.2. The healthy range is 18.5 to 24.9.
The show, which is currently casting, will begin taping in September and air sometime next year.
Here's an excerpt from the press release I received:
"Women come in all shapes and sizes, but models don't. The term model conjures an image of stick-thin, towering beauties oozing confidence, glamour, poise and sexuality from every pore. "Skinny," "no body fat," and "size zero" are the words and phrases associated with models. "Chubby," "well-fed," and "big- boned" are not."
It goes on to say, "With weekly eliminations looming, models must put their best foot forward at all times while staying focused on losing weight."
A show rep responded by saying, "The goal of the show is for women who have the potential to be a model by losing weight in a healthy and realistic time span. Ideally we are not accepting model-thin girls for the competition just women who have a little extra weight and are ready to do what it takes to become the next supermodel."
Model manager Michael Flutie will spearhead the "transformations." The winner will receive $100,000, a modeling portfolio, a personal trainer for a year and "the chance to jumpstart the career of your dreams."
We'd prefer "America's Next Top Model" to this excuse for entertainment any day.
-See 63 photos of super-skinny models
-See photos of thin, fat, and all types of celebrities who MTV's been happy to have on their TRL show
-15 contestants on America's Top Model cycle 11
— Julie Gordon
