Maldivian Next Top Model… or is it?

After Pro Models had advertised that they were looking for wannabe models for what might be Maldives’ very first reality show, “Evince Model 2009” or something like that, I had rubbed my hands in glee and thought to myself, “Ooooh this is gonna be good!”

Needless to say all my sisters and female friends all thought the same. So after waiting weeks for the show to start, DhiTV finally aired it last Wednesday night at 12:00am.

After much shoving and pushing for space on the couch we finally settled down for the show right on the dot. And what a show it was! Of coz it was no American Next Top Model. The drama seemed to be missing and the ‘ooomph’ factor from the models as well. I know, I know, height cannot be a factor in a ‘short’ society like our and I’m the last person to harp on about height. :P. But there has to be self confidence and a drive in order to be on a show like this. Otherwise it’s just flat. On your nose flat.

The girls all shuffled in front of the judges; Xee, Suzan, Kiram and another guy (which I’m much too lazy to find out about) and introduced themselves. The girls looked nervous and some looked terrified out of their minds. There were much blushing, much stammering, more blushing, giggling, shuffling to and fro, embarrassingly stiff commercial poses and some more blushing. And the judges didn’t help matters by asking some dumbfoundedly stupid questions which caught the girls off-guard and made them even more nervous than before (if that’s possible).
One of the most highlighted issues the judges posed as questions were: What if your boyfriend was against this? Would you drop out?

At first it was fine and dandy and some of the smart-ass answers from the contestants were actually funny. But later the question just became an irritation. I fail to see it as such a big issue. In fact I think it shouldn’t be an issue at all. Perhaps shouldn’t even be asked. After all it is the girls who are competing. Not the boyfriend. Now if it were a matter of parent’s permission that’s a whole different issue all together.

Although nearly all the contestants were cringe-worthy and embarrassingly shy there was one who stood out – least for me. She came all decked out in a new dress, dolled up and ready to beat out the (non-existent) competition. She looked straight into the eyes of the judges and told them she’ll win this. Plus she also had a good walk. I decided that the show was already over. Give the girl the gifts. She won. Done. Puff. Rifinito.

But then no. Where is the fun in that! The girls had to be driven through muck and mud. In this case the said muck and mud are excessive amount of peroxide, hair bleach, face packs, makeup, lots of blow-drying, hairspray, colour etc etc.

Later the girls were all shown in their before and after state after this makeover session. And ta-daa they all look like CLONES! Same hairdo, same highlighting work. Perhaps a shorter do here, a curly do there would’ve done the trick.

Overall the whole show could’ve been better with just a tad of good editing and a little bit of more drama. And better questions. Hopefully ones that’ll put the girls at ease instead of frightening the daylights out of them. But still you can count on me to catch the next episode. I won’t miss it for the world! :D