| Reality Hair Makeovers: America's Next Top Model |
| Karen Marie Shelton |
| Date: 2/27/2005 |
Introduction
 Hair
is political!
Take
the case of Russell Gorman III who took on St. Raphael's Academy in
St. Louis, Missouri and won the legal right to wear his hair six to
eight inches below his shirt collar against the wishes of the school
administration.
Why?
(Image
of Keenyah
"Before"
hair makeover in America's Next Top Model - Season #4 on UPN -
2005 CBS Broadcasting Inc.)
Judge
Scott O. Wright issued a seven-page order in late December of 2003
that basically said
"regulating a male student's hair length was arbitrary and
capricious because it bears on rational relation to the legitimate
mission state of the school, nor does it inhibit the learning
process". Russell Gorman III was allowed to retain his lengthy
locks.
 (Image
of Keenyah in an 1-800-Flowers ad shoot
"AFTER"
hair makeover - in America's Next Top Model on UPN - Photo:
Danielle Levitt/UPN -
2005 CBS Broadcasting Inc.)
There are tons of similar hair
related legal cases out there on the law books. Including the
one with Booneville, Missouri high school basketball player Kolby A.
Hurt who refused to remove his braids and was benched as a result.
The courts sided with the basketball
coach on that hairy battle stating that Hurt "knew in advance that
he would have to honor a predefined hair appearance code that did
not include his style of choice". Bottom line, Hurt could lose
the braids or lose his budding basketball career.
America's Next Top Model
Which brings us to the fourth edition
of America's Next Top Model (ANTM) on UPN. In a recent
episode, the models were escorted to a famous LA hair salon for
their traditional hair makeovers. Anyone who is a fan of the
show knows that the model wannabes are completely revamped with a
range of hair changes that scale from going to an almost shaved look
to adding a range of extensions. Hair hues are also radically
modified along with textures. Curly is often straightened,
straight is sometimes waved and brunettes become blondes, or vice
versa.
(Image
of Keenyah - above - in her model shoot as an alien in America's
Next Top Model on UPN - Photo: Nigel Barker/UPN -
2005
CBS Broadcasting Inc.)
Models Must Transform
Anyone in the modeling world,
understands that this is the reality of the biz. After all,
models are supposed to lose their personal identities at the
designer's doors so that they can morph into an extension of gowns
that they will jiggle, wiggle and glide into for the runways.
Like high school basketball player
wannabe, Kolby Hurt, the ANTM contestants are informed going into
the competition that they would have to subject themselves to all
manner of real world model events. Hair and makeup changes is
just part of the gig. In fact, truth be known, they probably
have to sign a stack of legal documents giving up all rights to
their pre-ANTM tress styles.
Unfortunately, two of the ANTM models
balked when their recent makeovers went against their preference.
Contestant Brandy's bright red weave with loud dark black roots was
shaved down to the nub. The good news? The new style
showed off her beautiful face. Model-in-training Keenyah was
transformed from naturally curly and nappy strands to sleek and
straight tresses.
Bad Attitude Loses The Game
The ANTM cameras caught both young
ladies displaying "attitude" about their new dos. Even worse,
Keenyah appeared to immediately defy her newly assigned look by
almost immediately wearing her hair back in its original curly form
during the judging segment of the show. Not only did Keenyah and
Brandy's negative attitude anger Tyra Banks - the show's creator,
and a key judge for the ultimate winner, she gave both young
ladies a firm lecture right on camera.
 (Image
of Keenyah in her model shoot as an alien in America's Next Top
Model on UPN - Photo: Nigel Barker/UPN -
2005
CBS Broadcasting Inc.).
Although it looked like Keenyah and
Brandy might be cut because of their moaning about their hair
makeovers, ultimately they were spared for another week and someone
else hit the pavement.
One week later, after being warned
Brandy was sent home for taking her unpleasant behavior patterns to
the next level. Meanwhile, Keenyah learned her lesson and has
managed to survive and learn from the makeover experience.
Reality of The Model World
 Some
fans expressed outrage that Keenyah's naturally curly hair was made
over to eliminate her genetically provided ringlets.
Other fans questioned whether their was a possible
racial motive behind the makeover. However, all of the models
regardless of race, age, hair length, type or color, were changed.
Many very dramatically. Some not as much.
(Image of world-renown
supermodel Tyra Banks who is the creator and executive producer of
AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL on UPN. Gallery Photo: Daniel Garriga/CBS.
2005 CBS Broadcasting Inc.)
The same thing happened in Season #3 when the
beautiful contestant Jennipher Frost was shorn of her luscious
brunette long locks and changed in a blonde with a long choppy bob.
The reality of the situation is that neither
anti-curlism or racism was involved. Quite simply, to be a world
class model, you have to constantly change your hair and makeup to
fit the project. Which explains why super models, their hair
and their overall appearance, never really seem to look the same.
Fallacy of Hair
Models
Another real world fallacy is the concept of the
existence of "hair models". While some non-celebrity
posers may be utilized to hawk products for companies like Pantene
or Clairol, ultimately they are selected for the "total package" and
not just the hair. While there is a call for parts models that
are used only for their hands, feet or other isolated body parts, it
is rare for someone to be signed just for their hair.
With the easy access to lifelike wigs and hair
extensions, super models can and do have horrible strands and still
look amazing for their print or media work.
Summary
Whether you want to make it in the world of reality
TV or modeling, you have to play by the rules to win. To soar
as a model you also have to temporarily check your individuality and
bad attitude outside the hair and make-up trailers. No matter
how beautiful or talented, divas with chips on their shoulders won't
last long.
And yes it really is true. Whether you're
talking about attending private school, playing high school
basketball or winning a reality model television contest, hair will
always be political.
For more on America's Next Top Models watch on UPN -
Wednesday - 8:00 - 9:00 ET/PT. For more information log on to
www.upn.com. |