America's Next Top Model - "Welcome to High Fashion" Episode Review

[Season 15, Episode 1] America's Next Top Model begins it's fifteenth season with a lot of changes. Tyra must have spent some of her money and energy from her now canceled talk show to get actual names in the fashion industry for this season. She emphasizes that the modeling agency went from Wilhelmina Models to IMG. It's a small shame because I grew to like Sean Patterson's sharp opinions. The magazine has finally gone high fashion, going from Seventeen Magazine to Italian Vogue and a cover of Beauty in Vogue. Of course, the hopefuls still become CoverGirl representatives and get the now standard $100,000 contract. These models finally have a real chance to make a splash in the modeling industry.

Tyra Banks manages to make the beginning of America's Next Top Model all about herself. She explains that while she was in ninth grade, she was discovered and started her modeling career. It feels like she's sending an opposing message to all these 18+ models. They should have started at a young age and not depend on a television show to launch their career. I cringed at first because we immediately meet sisters Chris and Terra. They aren't twins, but they manage to finish each other's sentences and create comedy gold. The rest of the model hopefuls arrive in LAX, most ignorant to where exactly Palm Springs, their next destination, is. Nonetheless, they all embark on a bus with their names on each seat. It turns out that each of the girls sitting next to each other are their direct competition. Tyra has neatly placed all the models in five categories: Quirky, Sexy, Bone-Structure, Blonds and Brunettes. Interestingly, there are no Asians or Plus-Sized models this season.

Of the 32 contestants, several try their best to steal a minute of our time here and there. Clearly there are too many in the beginning to really keep track on. So as an audience we're only given quick snippets of information that makes each model stand out. Kacey from Season 11 returns, this time without as much of the attitude. Other girls say silly things like how they've never seen people this diverse all in one place (Emily) or that they don't like the pop-culture of our society (Jordan).

Tyra and the Jays conduct their interviews with the contestants; getting their first impressions. While there are a lot of quirky characters, there are a handful of models that you just want to root for and actually have potential. The standout models from the beginning for me are plant-poser Rhianna, hard working single mom Liz, and Ivy League Jane. We meet Esther who has size 30G breasts, a size I'll admit I've never heard of, and is to break her orthodox Jewish background to become a top model. You only see her large breasts when she wore her bikini. There is some drama with some girl named De'yama and Emily about race, but it doesn't matter, neither make the cut.

The girls get through their first cut from 32 to 20 and get to celebrate with Cynthia Rowley. They then have a head-to-head photoshoot as their final plea to Tyra and the Jays to choose them. Of course the dueling sisters had to take their photoshoot together, even though the two aren't really direct competition. In analysis Tyra points out that Chris is very round while Terra is very angular. As for the other models, Esther manages to fit into sample dresses without her breasts getting in the way. Ann, the 6'2 model is showing potential even with the big ears and small waist. She reminds me of Allison Harvard from Season 12 except that she doesn't depend on her anime-sized eyes.

Tyra decides to go with 14 models this season: Anamaria, Kendal, Rhianna, Chris, Jane, Chelsey, Liz, Sara, Lexie, Esther, Kacey, Kayla, Ann, and finally Terra. Terra and Chris have a praise Jesus moment as the two celebrate the last space taken. Anti-media Jordan is in tears, which makes me wonder how much of an act she was putting on.

As the models get ready, there are a lot of girls with potential. I'm afraid of Kacey without her glasses, she could be the next it girl for Lenscrafters. Several of these girls are in dire need of makeovers and a bit of model fashion 101. Sure, Tyra may go "I like your personal style" now, but in a few weeks, you know these girls will show up at Wal-Mart or Old Navy for a teach about basic model clothes. Finally, as for the dueling sisters? I think that the angular Terra should do better for high fashion.