Top Model or Next 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 9–18 episodes and starts with 10–25 contestants. In each episode one contestant is eliminated, though in rare cases there may be double eliminations, multiple eliminations, 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.
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. The winning contestant is sometimes permitted to share her reward with other contestants of her choosing and on some occasions, may gain immunity from elimination at the next judging. 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 shoots
The next segment is usually a photo shoot, which may involve beauty shots (closeup photos emphasizing the face), posing in swimwear, lingerie or other clothing, posing nude or semi-nude, posing with a male model, or posing with animals among other themes. 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 typically weighs heavily in the final judging, and it can result in the elimination of one or more contestants.
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. 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 have traveled from two to six different countries, although this may vary.
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. Episodes typically end with the image of the eliminated girl fading away from a group shot of the remaining contestants.
Live shows
In some versions of the show, the winner is determined during a live broadcast. This has been done in Germany, Russia, Croatia, Israel, Belgium, the Netherlands (cycle 2, 3 and 4) Benelux (a combination of the former two), Austria, Serbia, New Zealand (cycle 3 onward), Australia (cycle 3 onward), Britain (cycle 6 only), Poland and Vietnam. Often times these votes are submitted via SMS or on any other given website. In Cycles 17 and 18 of America's Next Top Model part of the first episodes were presented in front of a live crowd, but this wasn't broadcast until the cycle premieres in September 14, 2011 and February 29, 2012 respectively.
All-Stars
In America, Cycle 17 featured returning models from previous seasons with an All-Stars competition. In Cycle 18 of the same version, seven returning British models competed along with new American contestants.
Top Model around the world
Adaptations
The Top Model format has been adapted for numerous national and regional versions around the world. Comprising 143 Top Model winners. The latest winner is Eesti tippmodell's Helina Metsik from Estonia.
^Charlotte Dawson was hosting the live final of Cycle 4 while Jodhi Meares was not present at that event.
^Panni Epres replaced Viktória Vámosi for hosting duties at the final of Cycle 1. Eventually, Vámosi was fired before the final.
^The seventh cycle of Britain's Next Top Model are including contestants from Ireland.
^Dave Berry was hosting the live final of Cycle 6 while MacPherson was leading the judging panel.
^Vũ Anh Tuấn was hosting the live final while the head judge was leading the panel.
^The series kicked off with an unclear host/head judge position at which Elizabeth Thủy Tiên was initially offered the ultimate power in judges' table and then Nathan Lee fought against her to become another male host of the worldwide Top Model franchise. They were both fired and Hà Anh was chosen as a replacement.
