Today Tyra Banks will be making a huge announcement for not so huge models on The Tyra Banks Show. This particular episode is dedicated to the release of the upcoming cycle 13 season of America’s Next Top Model, complete with a Tyra Top Model Toga Party (gotta love Tyra’s randomness). She surprises her entire studio audience made up of aspiring models 5’7" when she announces that the next cycle of America’s Next Top Model will be for petite girls who are 5’7" and shorter.
“I stand for breaking down beauty barriers and Top Model has shown that women of every shape, size and color are model material,” says Tyra on her show. “But we’ve never done a Top Model cycle for petite girls! Cycle 13 of Top Model is going to be for girls who are 5’7” and shorter.”
What prompted Tyra to make this decision? It was actually previous audience members who encouraged her to switch it up the next time around for Cycle 13.
“I answer audience questions after we tape The Tyra Banks Show and by far the question I hear the most is, ‘Why don’t you do a show with short models?’” says Tyra.
Hence, the opportunity for petite but beautiful models was born.
"Since the show started, we've always had girls under 5'7 asking and begging, quite frankly, Tyra to please give them a chance," America’s Next Top Model casting director Michelle Mock said to Entertainment Weekly. "I mean, she would get stopped in the street, in restaurants, anywhere, by girls asking how they can do it being as short as they are. We've been thinking about it for a while now, what a great opportunity to give these girls that opportunity. The show is all about opportunity...."
The icing on the cake was when Tyra also announces that the audience members are really at The Tyra Banks Show for a Top Model casting call. I could only imagine the wave of high-pitched screams and the sudden whipping out of the lip-gloss across the room. Tyra brings out Michelle Mock who then handpicks five girls from the audience to compete for a golden ticket, which will provide them with priority entrance to the official “ANTM” casting call in New York City.
But the real question is can the winner have a successful career as a model when the lights and cameras are off?
"Kate Moss is a prime example," Mock said. "Tyra knows a stream of supermodels
that are under that size and are very successful, so she said, 'Why not?' It's going to be all about the face and the package as a whole."
Another short successful model who comes to mind is Eva Marcille, winner of Cycle 3, who stands at only 5’6 in height despite the previous Top Model requirement of 5’7. Arguably, she is one of the most successful winners of the show and, ironically, the shortest.
Do you believe that the petite winner of America’s Next Top Model can have a successful career and should height requirements be banished from the modeling industry?
Photo credit: Entertainment Weekly, Fashion Model Directory
Comments (19)
I think this is a great way to change up the show. But I may be biased since I am only 5'1"!
Posted by Shannon Nelson | March 4, 2009 7:51 AM
Posted on March 4, 2009 07:51
this is so crazy, i have always wanted to pursue modeling but who wants a girl the 5' tall? this is a great opportunity!
Posted by Nicole rodriguez | March 4, 2009 4:10 PM
Posted on March 4, 2009 16:10
Well i am 5'2 and 1/2 and i just think its great that you guys are using shorter people like me and many other girls are. its great that they are giving shorter people another chance
Posted by Lori Burcham | March 4, 2009 5:13 PM
Posted on March 4, 2009 17:13
i love it i love it... its about time....
Posted by joanna mckenninss | March 4, 2009 6:17 PM
Posted on March 4, 2009 18:17
all i have to say is im 5'2, remeber my name, because you will see it again, on ANTM!
Posted by sharnee sims | March 4, 2009 7:21 PM
Posted on March 4, 2009 19:21
i went to the Providence casting call saturday, drove two hours to get there, and then waited in line for 7. i was an hour early but still they said they were only registering 200 girls. and you were supposed to register online. i was 5 people away from registering and they told me to go home. so i drove two hours home and then decided to go to new york this weekend.. i'm excited because i'm 5'4 and but i just hope i'm given a chance in new york. the casting call is 10am-3... what time do you suggest i go to guarantee i'll get an audition?
Posted by Lisa Jackson | March 8, 2009 9:51 AM
Posted on March 8, 2009 09:51
Well, shoot. Now that it's finally decided to allow short girls in, I'm 28 and ineligible that way! Why 27 years old? That seems random.
Posted by Joe Engebretsen | March 9, 2009 8:59 AM
Posted on March 9, 2009 08:59
NEVER in HISTORY would I have thought tyra would of had a show for short models . Im just to excited Im ready to bring on the competition..
Posted by LaWana Monday | March 9, 2009 7:06 PM
Posted on March 9, 2009 19:06
I hope they use some petite/petite-friendly designers, so that it wouldn't be 100% commercial (because that's what short models do most of the time). I will definitely be watching this cycle though.
Posted by Cynthia | March 10, 2009 6:54 PM
Posted on March 10, 2009 18:54
im 5.8 in a half/ 5.9 does anyone think I should still try this cycle?
I have been waiting for this cycle FOREVER since the min. age is 18!
Posted by Val | March 10, 2009 7:48 PM
Posted on March 10, 2009 19:48
i went to the casting call in DC which is already an hour and a half away from my house and it was total choas! So i drove all the way to NJ to get my opportunity and it was SO much fun! haha. Then i heard of the news this morning about NYC's casting call!... WTF! LOL
Posted by E | March 15, 2009 11:51 AM
Posted on March 15, 2009 11:51
The 5'7" and shorter height requirement is a farce!!! My daughter made it through the first round in NYC but was asked to leave in the second round. Three girls she met did make it through and their heights were 5'8" and two at 5'9". Misrepresentation ANTM!
Posted by Dina | March 15, 2009 2:45 PM
Posted on March 15, 2009 14:45
WHATS THE WEBSITE TO REGISTER? PLEASE HELP..:)
Posted by sarah | March 16, 2009 7:16 AM
Posted on March 16, 2009 07:16
this is an absolutely stupid idea. first of all you cannot have short women on a runway because that is only for tall women. most of the comments on here are all happy because they are all short... only about 10% of the population are above 5'7" me being one of them. also when you audition the girls your going to get to many people coming in to audition because now your letting any average joe come and audition. The problem with that is, its dangerous. the stampede that happened in NYC is the perfect example. there would just be too many people to even audition. and did you people see the way tyra looked when the auditions were over, she was disgusting and very exhausted. It's better and much easier to leave the modeling to the tall women also because dresses for runway shows and editorial and advertising photography are cut to a “sample size” that reflects that preference. Once the clothes are put together it’s a lot easier to hire a model to fit than to redo the clothes for a shorter model.
Posted by roosee | March 23, 2009 1:58 PM
Posted on March 23, 2009 13:58
Well derectly to the ANTM casting crew, I think this is a very good idea. Height does not determine performance. Speaking for myself I do my best, and it always more than enough..! && Does anyone know where the auditions will be in chicago on the 25th..?
Posted by T'Keyah | March 24, 2009 7:40 AM
Posted on March 24, 2009 07:40
I think this is a great opportunity for short girls! i only stand at 5'1... i really hope they do this again sometime so i can make it to the casting call!!!
Posted by Aisha | April 2, 2009 8:37 PM
Posted on April 2, 2009 20:37
Aww man i missed the tryouts again im glad you desided to pick shorter people im 5'7 my twin sister is 5'9 big difference huh please update me when auditions r please i really want to be a model its been my dream since i was in elementry school
Posted by mandy | April 14, 2009 9:40 AM
Posted on April 14, 2009 09:40
I love ANTM and I think this is a great thing for cylce 13, because I'm 5'3! ;)
Posted by Brittany | April 14, 2009 11:39 AM
Posted on April 14, 2009 11:39
I think this is a great idea for the short girls... No matter what the height/size, I think it's all about performance.. No one is really willing to give short models a chance, so I think what the directors of ANTM is doing for the shorties is a good idea.. I just found out about this "short model" competition today. For so long, I been saying I want to be on ANTM showing Tyra and Elite staff that I can be fierce, do a cover girl commercial, pose, and all the other things associated with modeling.. I never thought in a million years that they will do this for the short girls.. (me 5'5 feet tall) So thanks
Posted by Candis: | June 13, 2009 7:32 PM
Posted on June 13, 2009 19:32