“Viewer discretion is advised,” a notice informs me before Canada’s Next Top Model starts, and already I know I’m going to enjoy this show.
Host Jay Manuel introduces himself and the show over pictures of baby Jay (aww) and top models. Yay, Jay! Yay, pretty logo! Boo, lack of theme song! It’s just not Top Model to me without the theme song.
Jay introduces us to a group of 10 girls—our finalists, hand-picked from among thousands of…no, wait! Jay springs 10 more girls on us (and them), telling the now 20 girls that before the day’s out, only 10 of them will move on.
Then it’s time for a Q&A with Jay and the creative directors. The CNTM contestants immediately distinguish themselves from their American counterparts by living up to one of the biggest Canadian stereotypes: They’re all extremely polite and modest. Even when the girls make statements like, “I’m here for one reason, and that’s to win,” you almost expect them to continue, “Um, you know, if one of those other pretty girls doesn’t.”
We have the usual sad stories, tales of parental displeasure and horrid runway walks, but Rebecca’s meeting is unique—she tells the judges that she’s a factory worker, deals with raw meat all day and often comes home covered in blood. Well, that should definitely prepare her for some of the more out-there photo shoots!
Jay quickly cuts 10 girls (bye, Braces Girl and Gorgeous But Boring, we hardly knew you!), and the remaining 10 move into the Top Model house, which is decorated with pictures of Jay—some tasteful and some…well, huge. The girls immediately get down to drinking liquor, thereby crossing another Canadian stereotype off the list.
The contestants soon receive their first Jay Mail: a video message consisting of Jay reciting the following riddle: “Why settle for one when you can have two…bring your best game tomorrow, and nothing else.” The girls seem stumped. “Nothing else?” says one. “We’re thinking, like, no clothes or something?” says another. Ooh, we have a genius in our midst!
Ah, so this is why viewer discretion was advised! The girls show up for their photo shoot to find out that they are indeed modelling nude, complete with “hot accessories”: male models. To their credit, none of them cry or refuse to do the shoot, and this is no easy, breezy ANTM nude shoot—the male models have their hands all over these girls.
The next segment is the judging—only nine girls will continue on in hopes of becoming Canada’s Next Top Model, winning a modelling contract with Sutherland Models, a spread in FASHION Magazine, and a $100,000 contract with P&G Beauty. What? Already? We’ve just met them! I haven’t even picked a favourite yet! (OK, I lied; it’s Jacqueline, and I picked her yesterday based on her web site photo. What can I say? I want a fellow redhead to take this thing!)
The photos are, for the most part, standard first attempts: OK, but not spectacular, except for Mo’s and Steff’s, which are spectacularly awful. Mo is grinning like a jack-o-lantern in hers, and Jay says Steff looks like “a man in drag.” To their credit, the girls offer no excuses.
The contestants leave the room and the judges deliberate, tossing around the usual complaints about manly looks and no neck, then the girls return. Jay calls them forward one at a time, using the patented Tyra Banks dramatic voice: Cori first, then Tara, Rebecca, Jacqueline (yay!), Tia, Sinead, Mo and Gina, leaving bubbly Steff and anti-social Mika in the bottom two. I fully expected Steff to go, but Mika does. And although I’m surprised by this development, she’s not. She leaves without crying or hugging anyone, admitting that she’d spent the past two days wanting to leave. Well, good, I guess?
Watch Canada’s Next Top Model Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on Citytv.
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Final Week
related features
Comment on this article
Editor's note: This is a moderated forum, so your comments won't appear until approved by the moderator. Please help us foster a friendly environment by keeping your posts civil and on-point. We reserve the right to delete comments that include foul language, personal attacks on others, sales solicitations or any other inappropriate content. Posted comments reflect the opinions of the poster, not of Fashionmagazine.com. Read our privacy policy for more information.
Tina writes:
I can already tell I'm going to like this season so much better than last season. Jay Manuel is really good as the host - he has a kind of energy that Tricia Helfer just didn't have. My pick so far is Rebecca. I think she's the one who most looks like a real model.
—posted June 2, 2007 at 11:10 a.m.
Heather writes:
Fun piece! Are you going to be writing another one next week?
I agree with you about Jacqueline. I hope they don't straighten her hair during the make-over though.
—posted June 2, 2007 at 4:20 p.m.
Tracy writes:
Love the article! I appreciate the sarcasm and the author's interjections about the girls and Jay.
Keep them coming.
Oh and by the way, the website looks amazing.
—posted June 2, 2007 at 9:30 p.m.
Connor writes:
I love this show! This season is so much better. I think Tara's going to win. She's so pretty! And I think Gina's the next one to go! Too commerical.
—posted June 5, 2007 at 1:18 p.m.
Amy MacPherson writes:
Heather, I'm going to do one of these writeups after every episode. :)
I'm glad you're all entertained! I had fun writing this, and I can't wait to write about the makeover episode and see what crazy photo shoots the girls have to do this season. I also agree that Jay is a great host!
—posted June 5, 2007 at 10:15 p.m.
Ira writes:
I wish there was more of Stacey McKenzie this season though.
—posted June 21, 2007 at 3:36 p.m.
Your comment