The America's Next Top Model Phenomenon: Top Model Around the World

If you thought that America's Next Top Model was, um, only in America, baby, I'm going to blow your mind: Top Model is not just an American phenomenon. The success of America's Next Top Model has inspired shows in other countries: Canada's Next Top Model is hosted by a familiar face to ANTM viewers: Apparently Mr. Jay Manuel is not just a great creative director; he's the host and executive producer in the Canada. What??? JayMail? It's takes a little getting used to, but if you like ANTM, you'll like CNTM, too. Canada's Next Top Model has three full seasons of episodes available on SideReel for those of you jonesing for a Top Model fix. But the empire doesn't stop there.

Probably the most boring of the bunch*, Britain's Next Top Model, is set to air Season 6 with a new host, supermodel Elle Macpherson. (here's hoping the new host makes the show more interesting!) I can't quite put my finger on what makes me not like BNTM as much as the other Top Model shows, but I had a hard time sitting through the British version of Project Runway, too. Still, there are 5 full seasons of BNTM available to watch online, and I didn't even finish one season, so maybe your experience will trump mine!

My homeland, Britain, was also home to a show only seen in Britain (thank goodness!): Britain's Missing Top Model, which is not a news clip about a kidnapped model, as one might guess from the title, but, in fact, a show about competing model hopefuls who are missing body parts. Ummmm.... I'm sorry, but that's just ridiculous! Watch it if you dare; actually, watch it if you can find it, since it's not as readily available as other shows (no wonder?!). *No offense to my people. I'm 98% positive that a show like that will never air in the U.S.

Okay, you've been waiting for it: Are you ready to learn about the BEST top model show ever? The models down under are certainly the best of the best: Australia's Next Top Model is my favorite Top Model show by far, and I'm certain that a lot of international Top Model fans would agree with me.

AusNTM has the best judges, by far, who tell it like it is and offer constructive criticism to boot, and the girls have great personalities and attitude that puts the American's to shame. These girls don't take any crap: Instead of letting a bully take over and having girls side with her, these girls put the bully in her place, especially after all the bullying that took place during Season 4 with model Demelza. I loved that! You go, girls! The models do talk about "shitting" themselves a lot, which is kind of disconcerting, but it's definitely the most compelling of all the Top Model shows, even if former host Jodhi Meares had a girl crush on one of the contestants, Stephanie, in season 3. (Umm, gross!)

One of the most interesting things about the show? The public votes for the final winner, which means that Australian viewers get to give their input on the finalists. This is how the bully, who the judges wanted to boot, ended up winner her season! Guess the Aussies like the meanies! (Meanies? Yes. Fatties? No way. Judge Charlotte Dawson recently dissed plus size models.) Australia's Next Top Model is also the only Top Model show to produce a model with international success: Alice Burdeu, winner of Cycle 3 of AusNTM.

The newest to the Top Model family is New Zealand's Next Top Model. The first season premiered in 2009, but the show is set to become every bit as awesome as all the other Top Models around the world. NZNTM definitely has the least bitchy judges of all the Top Models around the world; plus all of the judges are superfine. (Colin Mathura-Jeffree? Meow!) When the girls visit LA, hottie Nigel Barker, is their guest photographer. The entire season is available to watch on Veoh.

Want to know something crazy? There are currently SEVENTEEN Top Model shows around the world. I've focused on the ones that are in English-speaking countries, since, um, I speak English. But English-speaking countries are not the only countries with Top Model shows! Germany's Next Top Model is hosted by none other than the beautiful Heidi Klum (so that's what she does when she's not hosting Project Runway or making babies with Seal!). Other countries with Top Model shows include: Austria, Brazil, Holland, Italy, West Africa, and China. Here's a full list of the Top Model shows around the world: Top Model Around The World.