Review: America's Next Top Model Cycle 14 Premiere

America's Next Top Model, the infamous show created by supermodel Tyra Banks, returned tonight for the premiere of cycle 14. Once again, viewers watched as modeling hopefuls were selected by Tyra and her crew to compete in the high fashion competition. Clips of episodes, model profiles, and special features are available throughout the cycle season on the CWTV website.

Among the hopefuls tonight were Krista of Pine Bluff, AR, and Jessica of Conway, AR, who were my immediate favorites based on their profiles which were available prior to the premiere date. Each season many viewers post commentary about their favorites for the title of 'America's Next Top Model' on various blogs, the official CWTV lounge, and the official ANTM Facebook page. Fans recognized cycle 12's Allison as an infamous internet personality whose artwork featured bloody noses and other macabre undertones.

This cycle begins with 32 hopeful women between the ages of 18 and 27 who all want to be one of the 13 finalists. They are greeted by a screen featuring Tyra's 'MyFiercePage.com' profile and begin the quest to be a finalist by creating their own profile including photo and walk. It is immediately obvious that Alasia, who created quite a scene when meeting Tyra for the first time, would be the overly dramatic contestant for cycle 14.

At the final cut, Tyra announced that only 12 girls would be progressing to the next leg of the competition as she and her fellow judges - Mr. and Mrs. J - could not agree on the 13^th girl. After the final name had been called Tyra told the final 12 that they would be moving to New York City for this cycle and that a surprise 13^th girl would be joining them there.

I was relieved to see that Hallie, a model-hopeful from Memphis, TN, did not make the cut; she revealed to Tyra that she is a "trust-fund baby" and that neither she nor her mother had worked a day in their lives. There's something very Cinderella about most aspiring models on ANTM; women who seek to change their lives and their futures in the artistic, competitive fashion industry. A contestant with nothing to gain except a new source of amusement is a difficult aspiring model to cheer for, and both Tyra and fans seem to prefer a potential role model.

Ultimately, this premiere of ANTM guaranteed that cycle 14 will be filled with as much enthusiasm and ambition as seasons past, with a wide variety of different women. One of the most charming aspects of ANTM, and surely something which makes it popular among fans who do not seek fashion careers, is Tyra's enduring promise to redefine the notion of beauty - both inside, and out.

America's Next Top Model airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on the CW network.

Sources:
CWTV "CW Television Network"