A New Season of America's Next Top Model Returns to the CW

I haven't watched an entire season of America's Next Top Model since the Arkansas girl with the gap in her teeth won. So, I was excited to catch the start of an all new season of the show. Cycle 11 of America's Next Top Model started tonight with a two-hour premiere episode on the CW network.

Last season was shot in New York City, but the modeling competition is back in LA with a new set of girls and our favorite judges: Tyra Banks, the creator and CEO of the show; Nigel Barker, noted fashion photographer; J. Alexander, runway coach and diva extraordinaire; and international supermodel Paulina Porizkova. Jay Manuel, also known as Mr. Jay, continues his role as the creative director of the show's photo shoots as well.

The semi-finalists are all different and seem to represent every color of the rainbow. An Asian, a French immigrant, an Alaskan and a Mormon help make up the list. A plus-sized, wanna be model, is also in the mix. It wouldn't be America's Next Top Model without the token plus-sized model, right?

Although, this plus-sized gal is unique. Tyra says shes too big to be a regular model and too small to be a plus-sized model. Unfortunately, she's caught somewhere in between. WTF? All I know is, if you can't fit your body in a designer sample size, then maybe you're a plus-sized model, but that's just my opinion.

Also a semi-finalist is Isis, who describes herself as a woman that was physically born as a man. Yes, there's a transgender on the show. Isis is physically a man, pre-operation, and I have to admit that she is indeed feminine and pretty. I can't help questioning America's Next Top Model's motive in casting her on the show: Does Tyra truly believe that she has the potential and a high chance of becoming America's Next Top Model, or are the executives of the show trying to boost TV ratings? Isis, along with the Asian, the French gal, the Alaskan and the Mormon, makes it into the house, so we'll just have to see how far along she gets in the competition.

For those of you who don't know, I was raised in South Carolina. I was so embarrassed when Clark, 19, also from South Carolina, called Isis a "He/She." Clark didn't even try to hide it. The camera was in front of her face! She could have been discreet with her thoughts about Isis. Clark represents every reason why I was so glad to move from that backwards state. She isn't open minded and thinks that her "southern way" is the best way to be. Clark also represents my Alma Mater. She is a fashion merchandising student at the University of South Carolina.

Sharaun, an 18-year-old from Chicago, makes it onto my list of least favorites, right after Clark. She has a big mouth and quickly fills the Black bitch role on this reality show. She states her own nasty opinions about Isis that make you just want to scream, "Shut up!"

My favorites are Elina and Sheena. Elina, 19, is an animal activist from Seattle. She's originally from Ukraine and has the most gorgeous set of eyes. Sheena is the name of the Asian chick. Sheena is originally from Honolulu, but now lives in Harlem, NY. She's half Japanese and half Koren and can easily be confused for Kimora Lee Simmons' little sister. She's sassy, has a Black boyfriend and is outgoing and loud, just like Kimora.

The purpose of the girls' first photo shoot was to inspire young people to vote in the upcoming presidential election. The girls had to represent all kinds of political issues, from nuclear weapons to the environment, and make the issues look sexy.

During judging, Isis shines, Sheena realizes she knows how to not look like a hooch and Marjorie, our little French croissant, lets her nerves get the best of her. Marjorie may have been nervous at her photo shoot and while she was in front of the judging panel, but her name was the first to be called to "continue to be in the running of becoming America's Next Top Model."

On this season of the show, if a contestant's name is called first after judging, her photo is used as digital art in the girls' house for an entire week.

Thankfully, Sharaun is the first to be eliminated. I don't know how many episodes I would have been able to watch, if she was still a contestant. She was let go for "not being real." I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I don't care. Sharaun had the worst attitude out of all the girls, and I'm glad to see her go.

In next week's episode of America's Next Top Model, 13 girls remain, the South Carolina gal has a lesbian moment with Elina and someone is accused of being a racist.

Stay tuned!

America's Next Top Model airs on Wednesdays at 8pm (EST) on the CW

Top image is from Wikipedia
Bottom image is from cwtv.com