The new season of America's Next Top Model is underway, and the show is out to make an even bigger impression than usual this time around. With all the negative attention that the modeling world usually attracts, with problems with eating disorders and diva models involved with legal problems, the reality tv show has always sought to show the positive things modeling can do for a young generation of girls. Each season a couple "plus-size" girls are given the chance to participate, helping to rid young girls of the stereotype of models as unhealthily skinny. The show also travels abroad every season with a small group of remaining contestants, in an attempt to teach the girls about international problems and cultures. This year however, they have gone above and beyond and are trying to use the show's popularity to really do something good.
After the first photoshoot showed the nasty effects of smoking, the show's creator and host, model Tyra Banks, announced that this season will be smoke free. The contestants are forbidden from smoking while participating on the show. This is a dramatic departure from typical image of stick-skinny models puffing away that, although they try to avoid on the show, is inevitable in a house full of young women trying to stay thin. The move is an attempt at improving the image of models and showing the young viewers that it is a cause important to the show.
The show, and Banks, are no stranger to controversy. Banks has made it clear that she wants to set a good example for young girls, both on Top Model and on her talk show, where she often presents controversial topics for discussion and as concepts for photo shoots. In a previous season, photoshoots involved model stereotypes, with contestants posing in dramatic positions and environments. Banks herself has been the subject of media scrutiny after gaining weight when she retired from modeling. She made the most of the negative criticism however by showing that women of all shapes and sizes can be beautiful.
Not only has America's Next Top Model taken a stand against smoking, the show is "going green" this season. The model contestants are encouraged to recycle and take shorter showers to preserve natural resources, and the bus that drives them to photoshoots and challenges runs on bio-fuels rather than gasoline.
Bringing attention to the pertinent issues that the show is addressing can only help to bring about positive changes. The show reaches viewers who are susceptible to media persuasion, and who while they likely won't listen to issues on CNN, they will listen when the same issues are presented in a format they care about. America's Next Top Model may not be the best tool to bring about social change, but it is taking appropriate steps toward addressing problems that are important to its audience.
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