'America's Next Top Model': Model U.S.

"America's Next Top Model" for once actually touched upon a current hot-button issue in this country, apparently completely by accident. Race has been a hot topic in politics this week, and it played a major role in last night's "ANTM" installment. 

At the beginning of the episode, Dominique and Whitney bickered over the telephone (when will Tyra just do these girls a favor and put in more than one phone?). As their squabbling became more inane, Dominique accused Whitney of being a racist. Dominique seemed to realize right away that it was probably a stupid thing to say, as she tried explaining that Whitney could also be "racist" toward blond Jewish girls and redheaded Catholics. Whitney jumped all over this, however, pulling out the No. 1 white person's favorite rebuttal to this accusation: "My best friend is black!" 

Meanwhile, throughout the episode, various girls, including Marvita herself, continued to refer to Marvita as "a crazy hood rat" or "ghetto." "I'm too ghetto for this," Marvita mused about the competition, but what this really meant, for her and as a term in general, was never explored, especially as thus far there was nothing to indicate that Marvita came from a background that was significantly different from that of some other girls in previous seasons. 

Of course, these issues never were brought up again, sort of the way the separate definitions of "couture," "catalog" and "commercial" poses were never really explained by the fabulous voguing legend Benny Ninja. There were so many other topics to cover, however, like Fatima's semi-hairy armpits and how a model can squint-smile her way through dripping, globby paint to look beautiful in order to sell purses (or jewelry, or something.) 

Eventually, Marvita was eliminated for "not really wanting" it, which might be code for "ghetto," but probably not. It's a shame, as she was one of the more striking models on the show. But aside from her desire or lack thereof or her alleged ghetto-ness, she did continue to deliver the same expression in all her photos. 

Perhaps next week's episode will accidentally touch upon the North American Free Trade Agreement?

-- Claire Zulkey

(Photo courtesy of The CW)

Comments

[John Bard]

Claire, why did you just comment on Whitney's response to Dominique's accusation of racism, that her best friend was black - "the No. 1 white person's favorite rebuttal..." ? More to the point would be a discussion of how often the accusation of racism is used, not as a last resort, but as an automatic response to a white person disagreeing or arguing with a black person.
Surely this accusation, as in this case, being wrongly applied - is racist in itself?

[Claire Zulkey]

Well, I think I noted that Dominique seemed to realize right after she said it that it was a stupid thing to say, and you could tell that the other girls in the house weren't picking up the conversational ball. I think really deep down it was just two non-geniuses having a stupid argument than more than a measure of race relations.

I spoke with Marvita too (the interview is posted above) and she seemed to think it was more about Dominique not thinking before she spoke.

[Doc]

I was more than super annoyed at the other girls calling Marvita a crazy hood rat. I really wished they could pic another term. The way they discussed her gives such a bad conotation to people who are living in the projects or other low income housing. I really liked Marvita and I really wanted her to make it. What was obvious to me was that she was a woman in some degree of pain needing help from the inside out. Watching her being thrown into a model competition and telling her to fake fabulous.....was never going to happen. Oh well, beautiful black sista though. I hope she pulls through in real life :)

[Jessica]

Want to know how to be on america's next top model I am 5'10 and I weigh 68lbs I was wondering if that was skinny enough to be a model on the show. I have long dark curly hair I think I am really pretty and I have perfect teeth and I think I would make a great next top model. Someone please email me back I would really like if it was tyra banks but just someone to let me know about how to apply to americas next top model and I will do anything to be on that show if i need to lose more weight I will lose more weight. My dream has always been to be a model but i have never persued my dream and that would be my dream even if i didnt' win just to be on the show.