America’s Next Top Model vs. The Face

America’s Next Top Model vs. The Face

The world of modeling is not something to laugh about, it is serious competition. There will always be someone younger, thinner and taller who is much more in demand in front or behind you in a casting call. This is the reality of these models’ lives and while it may not be fun to be in their shoes it is fun to watch them overcome or crumble under the obstacles they face in televised competitions. Chrissy, a receptionist from Jeff Allen Sports says America’s Next Top Model is the better show while Alexia, another receptionist at Jeff Allen Sports says that The Face is. Is it too early to tell which one is better since The Face is only going to go into its second season? Would that even be fair? We will see. What do these models get for all of their strife? It depends on the competition but the purpose of this article we will focus on the popular ANTM (America’s Next Top Model) and sophomore breakout The Face.

America’s Next Top Model is hosted by former model Tyra Banks and is now in its 20th season. The show is aired internationally in 170 countries with the show’s concept being replicated in other countries. Because of the staying power of the brand, they have been able to garner sponsorship interests from major retailers and other businesses making the prize packages for the winner very alluring. These prize packages usually include a modeling contract with a top agency, being spokesperson for a major brand and some amount of cash. The panel of judges is always power packed with experts across the fashion industry who serves as mentors for the competitors as the show unfolds.

The most recent season of America’s Next Top Model had male and female contestants for the first time with the new format being carried onto the next season. Having both male and female models competing puts a new spin on the show and accrues more drama (who doesn’t love more drama on TV?). The judges apart from Tyra Banks include Kelly Cutrone, Rob Evans and Bryan Boy who is representing the at home judge. The judging process includes several factors; there is a challenge which tests their skills and adaptability for which their performance gets a score from 1-10. Then they have a photo shoot where the fans of the show vote for their favorite picture on a scale of 1-10. In the end the judges grade the end photo on their own scale 1-10. All of those scores are combined and the person with the least amount of points gets sent home.

The contestants get to work with very creative photographers and get opportunities to book fashion shows, win additional prizes and make connections with people in their industry throughout the competition. Each season also takes the top 8 or so contestants to a foreign country which highlights the possibility for the young hopefuls to work and travel in the future if they make it in the cut-throat industry. It is also undoubtedly a good tourism draw for the host country.

Now let’s talk about The Face. It is a new modeling competition show on Oxygen who’s main host Naomi Campbell has been a very public and controversial figure. She is a Supermodel with a capital S and has worked with the very top fashion houses in the industry. The first season had judges/coaches Coco Rocha and Karolina Kurkova who are influential models in their own right. Coco Rocha is one of the most versatile and highly sought after models in the industry to date. She can do 50 poses in 30 seconds! Karolina Kurkova was a Victoria’s Secret Angel…need we say more? Angels are among the highest paid models in the world. Due to conflicts, Coco and Karolina will not be coming back for a second season and will be replaced with Anne Vyalitsyna and Lydia Hearst. After being constantly berated by Naomi Campbell with less than choice words who could blame Coco and Karolina for walking out? “I am bummed that Coco isn’t going to come back!” says Alexia “She sent out Team Coco shirts in her Fancy Box subscription and I was looking forward to wearing it more often. But I can understand her position”

Interestingly Nigel Barker “Noted Fashion Photographer” for America’s Next Top Model for the bulk of its current existence, got fired from the show and is now working with The Face. He claims that there are no hard feelings between himself and Tyra Banks; instead his leave was sprung by the network. He has noted the differences since working on both of the shows and it appears as though he takes The Face to be more serious and campaign-driven. The contestants are working with real clients and the “team” who wins the approval of the client is safe from elimination. The bottom 2 teams each elect a model from their team to go into the elimination room where the judge of the winning team decides who to save and who to send packing. “See, this is why The Face is better” Alexia from Jeff Allen Sports chimes in, “They have to work within real parameters and it makes just sneaking into the top a lot harder. They really have to work to win!”

The prize package from last season of The Face was to become the actual face of Ulta Beauty. It definitely isn’t as exciting as the prize package available from America’s Next Top Model, but it was their rookie year. We expect that as they progress through the seasons - the prize packages will increase in value. So based solely on the current prizes and value, ANTM is still king. Though, The Face does have the potential to be huge!