Are You Ready for the Newest Season of 'America's Next Top Model'?

By Jo Piazza Posted Sep 8th 2010 03:00PM

'America's Next Top Model' traveled outside of New York City this season, eating, praying and loving in Italy and amping up the top model's top prize with a cover shoot for Vogue Italia.

We got to sit down for breakfast this morning with Tyra Banks and judge Andre Leon Talley to chat Italian Vogue, talk shows, black models and weird looking models over a giant platter of bacon....it really was a little slice of heaven.

Top Model was one of the first times we saw plus-size models treated equally, now it's a trend. Do you feel responsible?
Tyra: I am actually really, really happy. When I pitched the idea of 'Top Model' to the network, I said I have to have plus sized models and that was a different time, so they were like, "eh whatever". Now to see V magazine and Glamour and Chanel and Marc Jacobs embracing it. It's great. The thing is we have to make sure it isn't just a trend. Women's bodies come in so many different sizes, I am hoping it is not a trend and we can continue the different looks.

You've had a lot of different looks on the show. Which ones would you label as a moment of drekitude?
Tyra: I did have a dreck white dress.
Andre: No, you changed the white dress. You rushed back to your dressing room. Dreckitude was not happening this season.
Tyra: And Andre gets silent when there is dreck. So there has been no dreck since Andre has been there. I wouldn't say I have had dreck looks, I would say I have had dreck seasons. Also I care about fashion now. Before I was so busy with the talk show I just put on whatever, but now I actually think about it.

What's the most exciting thing about this season?
Tyra: The prize is beyond exciting and I have a nice relationship with Franca Sozzani from Italian Vogue. She was so giving of her time we sat in my dressing room for two hours just talking. It was a shock and surprise for me was how dedicated she was to this and when I asked if she wanted to do it again she said, "Of course darling". So she's on for Cycle 16.

Andre, tell us about the first time you met Tyra when this fierce love affair began?
Andre: When I first saw Ms. Banks she was a little girl, just 16, backstage at the Yves St. Laurent show and she was chaperoned by her mother. That's how I remember her. My biggest memory is her being there with her mama hovering over her.

Tyra, Italy is where you got your start as a model. What was it like going back to give these girls their start there?
Tyra: Being a black model, I didn't get that love at home and I had to go overseas to get that respect and get a career. My mom was the one who was so excited that I was going back to where I got my start.

Because you were in Italy this season, did you pick the models differently?
Tyra: I am attracted to beauty that is odd. I created 'Top Model' to expand the definition of beauty and we have always chosen some girls who are odd and interesting and different and this season we did that with all of them because we could. It's Italian Vogue!!

We're sad about your talk show ending. Will there be another one?
Tyra: No way! Having a talk show is the hardest thing in the world. In the world. I don't want to be in the business of bulk. I would would prefer to take projects on that I can craft individually.

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Tags: Americas Next Top Model, andre leon talley, Tyra Banks

Comments

(17)

Wednesday 08 September

By Joe

Vote down Vote up Report this

top model was a wakeup call for Americans not everyone is skinng, Great show
crystal potpourri | scented crystals | scented rocks

By kerrydegvdfed

seekuniform .c/o,m is the best uniform daitng in the world

By MICKEY

This show sucks. I'm up to my gizzard with Tyra Banks. No, I won't be watching. Besides, the winner doesn't get to be America's top model. Its a joke, a sham, a publicity stunt to sell air time to sponsors. Hello?? Sponsors?? Most people hate this show.

Thursday 09 September

By lockfashion

please check my name to link our SITE
The cool sexy summer style for you

we got lots brand summer t-shirt (b a g) (s n e a k e r) (s a n d l e) (s u n g l a s s) (c a p s) etc...

All famous brand and hot (style)!!

[n i k e ] [ j o r d a n ] [s u p r a ] [S h o x ] [P u m a ] PRICE 35 U S D
[l v ] [c o a c h ] [p r a d a ] [c h a n e l] [g u c c i] [ h a n d-b a g] 33U S D
[c h a n e l] [g u c c i] (p u r s e) 15U S D
[D & G] s u n g l a s s e s U S D
(new e-r-a c-a-p) 10 U S D

p a y p a l Accept,Door to Door
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By dee

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

no i am not ready. i don't like tyra banks

By Nico Toscani

Tyra Banks is just awful. I've never seen a more self centered person on TV and THAT is saying something.

By Cata

For my is the most terrible idiot program ,boring. I believe only tira and models "enjoys" the segment. flesh and bones and a pair of eyes is not enough.

By KUNTZ

I met some of these kuntz, and that is EXACTLY what some of them were. KUNTZ.

By GloryB

I wish they would do an all-male America's Top Model. That would be a nice change - and totally HOT!!!

By Patty

Hate, HATE, HATE Andre--such a poseur!(That's French for fake, wannabe.) Oh well, at least I won't waste my time on ANTM this year!

By JON Petersen

They should rename this show, America'a Next Bottom Feeder. No one has ever been a success from this show, but Tyra.

By lipanconjuring

Tyra is such a phony.

Friday 10 September

By chris mccartney

Look like Gorilla,s in the Mist !!

By mj

Andre is one of the BIGGEST names in the world of fashion. He's no "poseur." Nor is he a wannabe. He is who OTHERS wannabe.

By cyndylou2008

TYRA YOUR TALK SHOW WAS INTERESTING, BUT I JUST ADORE YOU ON TOP MODEL , THANKS FOR GIVING YOUNG LADIES A SHOT, WHO NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN A CHANCE IN HELL

By yahoofashion040

↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑hehe,please c-lick my name,( get my → e-page)↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑

The cool sexy summer style for you

we got lots brand summer t-shirt (b a g) (s n e a k e r) (s a n d l e) (s u n g l a s s) (c a p s) etc...

All famous brand and hot (style)!!

[n i k e ] [ j o r d a n ] [s u p r a ] [S h o x ] [P u m a ] PRICE 35 U S D
[l v ] [c o a c h ] [p r a d a ] [c h a n e l] [g u c c i] [ h a n d-b a g] 33U S D
[c h a n e l] [g u c c i] (p u r s e) 15 U S D
[D & G] s u n g l a s s e s 12 U S D
(new e-r-a c-a-p) 10 U S D

p a y p a l Accept,Door to Door

INTERESTING, BUT I JUST ADORE YOU ON TOP MODEL , THANKS FOR GIVING YOUNG LADIES A SHOT, WHO NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN A CHANCE IN