America's Next Top Model

America's Next Top Model (ANTM) and its creator Tyra Banks continue to push beyond the standards of the modeling industry with Cycle 13 of the hit reality show. Models are supposed to be tall, right? Not this time at ANTM. Each girl cast for Cycle 13 is 5 foot seven inches or shorter. According to Tyra Banks, "Fierce has many faces and sizes." The newest cycle launched on September 9, 2009 on the CW network.

In the last six years, Tyra Banks and America's Next Top Model have cast would-be models from all walks of life. Former cast members have included models that were gay, bi-sexual and transgendered as well as models with degenerative diseases and disabilities. Cycle 10 saw the first plus-size model to win the title of America's Next Top Model.

ANTM has had shorter models in past cycles. Cycle 6's Eva Pigford was tiny by modeling industry standards at 5 foot six inches tall. Eva proved you did not have to be more than 5 foot nine to win the title of America's Next Top Model. Can the show continue to hold its viewers by casting fourteen models shorter than industry standards?

If the September 9 series premiere is any indication, Cycle 13 of America's Next Top Model will continue to hold a strong fan base. As the average adult female in the United States is 5 foot four inches tall, this new season of ANTM may allow more viewers to relate to the young models. According to a release issued by the CW, America's Next Top Model 2-hour season premiere helped to deliver its best Wednesday since early March 2009.

The idea of an entire group of short models may be enough to draw in some new viewers, but there has to be something more to keep the fans returning each week. Cycle 13 of America's Next Top Model is poised to offer viewers beautiful young faces with varied backgrounds and personalities as well as creative photo shoots and exciting locales.

The fourteen finalists from the first hour of ANTM's premiere episode include an eclectic collection of young women. These include Jennifer, Erin, Rachel, Kara, Lulu, Rae, Ashley, Brittany, Bianca, Courtney, Nicole, Laura, Sundai and Amber. However, Amber dropped out of the competition and was replaced by Lisa.

Each of the vivacious models are diverse, interesting and leave the viewing wanting to come back and see what will happen in the model house as well as how well they will perform during challenges and shoots.

Cycle 13 will call Los Angeles home base with the young models living in a quirky house.

As one model observed, "it's like a board game, Candyland." Indeed, the model house appears to have taken its inspiration from the "little" models. Featuring funhouse mirrors, oversized furniture and a mural wall with Tyra pictures from child to adult, complete with height measurements, the house is child-like yet maintains the sophistication viewers have come to expect from America's Next Top Model.

The second hour of the season premiere had the models receiving Ty-overs, makeovers in the studio of Sally Hershberger. Aided by Mr. Jay and Miss J., otherwise known as Jay Manuel, photo shoot creative director and J. Alexander, the show's runway trainer, each model received a new look. There was the usual dramatic transformations and the one model who wasn't happy with her new look.

The most startling transformation had to be math major Brittany who went from blond to a deep, chocolate brown hair color. Her new look is stunning and she may be one to watch closely in future episodes. Another huge transformation was Sundai's mane of curly hair. Her weave was removed and her hair restyled to resemble the bob cut of singer Rhianna. Lisa had the most minimal changes as Tyra decided to leave her color the same and only removed her long hair's dead ends.

The first photo shoot had the models using one of their own baby photos as inspiration. Jennifer, Ashley and Rae showed that short models could look long and fill a frame with the proper body positioning. Others did not fare so well and in the end, Lisa was sent home. An angry clown picture and forgettable personality caused Lisa to drop to the bottom and be eliminated.

America's Next Top Model, Cycle 13 has much to offer both faithful ANTM fans and new viewers. The first two hours of the cycle have just scratched the surface of the modeling potential these young women possess. In addition to the modeling competition, viewers will be watching to see how the various personalities in the house mesh.

Will Lulu's temper become a future issue? Is Nicole's strange quietness going to annoy her housemates? Will Bianca stop complaining or will she take Tyra's advice and learn to accept what she is given at shoots?

Tyra Banks and America's Next Top Model will continue to push buttons and boundaries in the modeling world. Le Cycle 13, the Fall Collection looks to be another season of fierce faces, fierce fashion and fierce reality television.