“America’s Next Top Model” Cycle 23 returned on air after a year of absence, but the changes after VH1 acquired the show in February 2016 are noticeable. Besides having a new host and a new set of judges, the model search pioneered by supermodel Tyra Banks lacks plus size models among the 14 contestants of cycle 23.
The Curvy Fashionista noted that it is ironic that while one of the new judges is Ashley Graham, a size 16 plus size model, all 14 contestants are slim women. The first episode showed the 28 finalists who were trimmed at the end of the show to 14, but even among the 28, none was a plus size model.
On the second episode, new host Rita Ora sent the 14 to Harlem to practice their walk. Seeing how the new batch’s catwalk resulted in Stacy Mackenzie, the model and runway coach, commenting the contestants need a lot of work to improve their walk, according to ETonline. Their first photoshoot had the models posing while falling off the runway’s end. Special guest for episode 2 of cycle 23 was Zendaya.
When the model search was still run and hosted by Tyra Banks – now a mentor at “The New Celebrity Apprentice” – “America’s Next Top Model” had several plus size models such as Toccara Jones in Season 3 in 2004. The winner in 2008 was Whitney Thompson, the first plus size model to get the coveted title.
The Curvy Fashionista noted that while majority of the contestants from Cycles 1 to 22 were slim types, most of the time there was at least one plus size model per season, although the choice was not deliberately due to her body shape. The website also noticed Rita Ora’s telling and contradictory words when she introduced Graham. “America’s Next Top Model” Cycle 23 airs 10 p.m. at VH1.