Top Model is a fashion-themed reality television show format produced in many countries throughout the world and seen in over 120 countries. The show takes the form of a modeling competition whose winners typically receive a contract with a major modeling agency and a cover shoot and fashion photo spread in a fashion magazine. The format was created by Tyra Banks for the original series, America's Next Top Model which was first aired in 2003, produced by 10×10 Entertainment.
Format description
The following description of the show is based primarily on the American version of the series, though the format applies to the international versions, as well.
Contestants
Each "cycle" of the show consists of 9–13 episodes and starts with 10–20 contestants. In each episode one contestant is eliminated, though in rare cases there may be a double elimination or no elimination at all, based on the consensus of the judging panel. Makeovers are administered to contestants early in the cycle, usually after the first or second elimination.
Tasks
Each episode, which covers the events of roughly one week of real time, is usually associated with a theme in the world of modeling, such as dealing with the press in interviews, selling a commercial product, appearing in a runway show, or visiting prospective employers in "go sees". Each episode typically features a fashion challenge, photo shoot or commercial, critique of each contestant's performance by the judging panel, and the elimination of one or more contestants.
A trip to an international destination is typically scheduled at about two-thirds of the way through the competition, usually with five or six contestants remaining. While overseas, each episode covers roughly three to four days, totaling two weeks of filming abroad. In some international versions, contestants travel to two to five different countries.
Challenges
Each episode usually begins with the contestants receiving training in an area concurrent with the week's theme. For example, contestants may get coached in runway walking, improvisational acting, or applying makeup to suit various occasions. A related challenge soon follows, such as a mock (or real) runway show or interview, and a winner is chosen by a judge. She receives some prize, such as clothing, a night out, or an advantage at the next photo shoot. Often she is allowed to share the benefits with a certain number of other contestants of her choosing.
Photo shoots
The next segment is usually a photo shoot, which may involve beauty shots (closeup photos emphasizing the face), posing in swimwear or lingerie, posing nude or semi-nude, posing with a male model, or posing with animals. Usually one photo shoot per cycle is replaced with a television commercial or music video shoot.
Performance in each week's photo or video shoot is typically weighed quite heavily in the final judging.
Judging
The final segment of each episode involves judging by a panel of fashion industry experts. In addition to the regular judges, usually there is a special guest judge related to that week's theme. Contestants are sometimes given a final challenge in some area of modeling such as posing, runway walking, selling a product, or choosing an appropriate outfit or makeup to satisfy a given situation. Each contestant's photo, or video performance, is then shown and evaluated by the panel. After all photos have been evaluated, the contestants leave the room and the judges deliberate.
The elimination process follows a rigid format, as the host reveals, one by one and in order of merit, the photos of the contestants who have not been eliminated. Each photo is given to the corresponding contestant, who is told by the host something similar to, "Congratulations. You are still in the running towards becoming [this country or region's] Next Top Model." The first-called contestant may receive additional benefits, such as having her photo displayed prominently in the contestants' living quarters or being allowed to share in the following week's challenge winnings, regardless of her performance in the challenge.
The last two contestants who have not received their photos are brought forward for special critiques by the host before the final photo is revealed. The contestant who has not received a photo is thus eliminated from the competition. Sometimes the last two contestants are both eliminated; rarely, neither is eliminated.
Live show
In some versions of the show the winner is determined during a live broadcast. This is done in Germany, Russia, Croatia, Britain (cycle 6 onwards), Israel and Austria. In Australia, Israel, Vietnam, and the Netherlands, the viewers have a chance to influence the voting via SMS.
Top Model around the world
The Top Model format has been adapted for numerous national and regional versions around the world. There are currently over 40 Top Model franchises, comprising 105 Top Model winners. The list below is not exhaustive.
