Fans Are Happy To See ANTM Return, But Not-So Happy There’s No Plus Model

What stylish human being doesn’t love America’s Next Top Model? The show has been groundbreaking to the fashion world for many years. As viewers, we gain informative fashion tips, knowledge from the fashion industry’s most notable players and not to mention we enjoy the entertainment and drama from the up-and-coming models. Over the years ANTM has broken countless barriers. The show made it a point to cast women who were not the average modeling height; we all remember Eva Pigford better known as Eva Marcille. ANTM also showcases male models like the infamous, Don Benjamin. Plus they were the first to included plus-size models into the competition. Two words: Tocarra Jones. Recently we talked about why size diversity is crucial. The plus size world is breaking invisible glass ceilings in the fashion industry however it is still a rarity to see a plus size woman represented on well-known runways.

Photo Credit : America’s Next Top Model

The newest season of ANTM aired we were a little taken back that the only plus size woman we saw on the show was host, Ashley Graham. Ashley is undoubtedly the most notable plus size model in the world. She is the first plus size model to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. But with the average woman in the U.S. being a size 14, we thought the ANTM casting team would invite at least one model of average proportions. No brainer, right? To our dismay this just wasn’t the case with Season 23.  

Judge, Law Roach, during Cycle 23.

Danielle Brooks of Orange in the New Black spoke out via her social media about her opinion on the casting of this show.

Out of all 28 girls not one was plus. You had an Asian, African, a red head, transgender, an androgynous sister, even twins…(much love for that) but not one plus size woman-when 67% of women are plus in the US? This could’ve been a perfect opportunity for them to highlight fabulous designers that also do plus fashion or highlight strictly plus designers that rarely get any shine. They could’ve also highlighted the struggles that come with being plus. We could’ve at least gotten to 2%. – Danielle Brooks

[This is not a bashing of any sort but an observation that wouldn't allow me to hold my ? ] As a plus woman being seen only 1% of the time is a real thing. Period. After watching #ANTM last night I was super excited to see my girl Ashley Graham but bummed out not to see any plus contestants. A curvy judge but no curvy contestants? ? Out of all 28 girls not one was plus. You had an Asian, African, a red head, transgender, an androgynous sister, even twins…(much love for that) but not 1 plus size woman-when 67% of women are plus in the US?? This could've been a perfect opportunity for them to highlight fabulous designers that also do plus fashion or highlight strictly plus designers that rarely get any shine. They could've also highlighted the struggles that come with being plus. We could've at least gotten to 2%. The plus competitor would've been able to lean on the fact that a reflection of herself (Ashley Graham) was in the room reminding her that her dream IS possible. All these things still would've moved us forward, and would've done more than me posting an IG post. Regardless, We are worth these incredible opportunities. We deserve to be seen. I'm going to continue to push back and speak up for that young girl that wants to model, wants to act, wants to be upfront and needs to be reminded that she is just as deserving as anyone else. ✌?️? #seethe67 #voiceofthecurves

A photo posted by Danielle Brooks (@daniebb3) on

Comments of dismay also voiced by Tess Holliday via her Twitter account:

Danielle and Tess’ sentiments were echoed by fans of the show as well. Twitter was set on fire with upset viewers of the show realizing that the average woman had been overlooked and ignored once again.

For a huge franchise that has casting auditions all over the country and is so close to the people, they should have taken notice to the one major component missing from their stellar cast of woman. Plus size in American society is now the new normal. We beg to ask the staff of ANTM, how do you leave out such a prominent and unique minority?

We would love to hear your thoughts on the casting of ANTM Season 23!

Written by: Crystal Stoute of HerNameisCrystal.com

 

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