I watch America’s Next Top Model.
I know. You’re surprised, right? Some people have their American Idol. Some have their Dancing With The Stars. Everyone has that guilty pleasure show they hate to admit they watch. And hey, at least it’s not Jersey Shore.
The most recent episode of ANTM had a learning moment in it. Tyra Banks had a “booty tooch” session with the ladies where she made them dress up in tight shorts with butt enhancements in them. One contestant, Azmarie, refused to wear the butt pads. For her adamance, Tyra exiled Azmarie from the session. One goal of the ANTM show is to instill in young women a sense of personal value and self confidence. I think that move sends the wrong message to the young women watching the show.
During the judging, commentary about the incident was obviously highly edited. But I support Azmarie’s choice to abstain from wearing the butt pads. By insisting that the girls wear them, and kicking them out if they will not, Tyra was (presumably inadvertently) sending the message that without a padded bum, the girls were not good enough to be in her class.
I think, rather than communicating a message of natural beauty and confidence, the scene played like a photoshop session gone wrong. The message I got from this was that the girl’s naturally beautiful bodies were just not good enough.
