For years the industry height standard for any model who wanted to make it in the business meant she had to stand over 5’7″ tall. Well on cycle 13 of America’s Next Top Model, catwalk queen Tyra Banks and her panel of experts sets out to prove that modeling beauty doesn’t have to be a tall order! Starting on Wednesday September 9th at 8PM EST Banks is going to strutting 14 young hopefuls all standing 5’7″ or shorter through their modeling paces for the chance for one of them to become America’s Next Top Model.
These 14 young beautiful young girls who range in height from 5’7″ to 5’3″ and come from all over the USA will be competing for $100,000 modeling contract with CoverGirl Makeup and a chance to be managed by famed modeling Agency Wilhelmina Models. Series executive producer/creator Tyra Banks is not going to make this an easy challenge for this 14 young hopefuls who not only have to prove they’ve got what it takes to be a catwalk pro, but that you don’t have to be at industry height standard to do it. Not only will they be under the watchful and critical eye of Banks but of her team of judges as well: judges that include fashion photographer Nigel Barker, runway expert J. Alexander and celebrity guest judges including Lauren Conrad and Kim Kardashian.
The 14 girls, who range in age from 18 to 23 years of age will be competing not only against each other but more dauntingly against the modeling industry bias that it takes real height to make fashion modeling work and look right. This will be especially challenging for Sundai and Courtney who stand 5’3″ and 5’4″ respectively. Yet as the series premieres this coming Wednesday September 9th on the CW Network at 8Pm EST all the girls are ready to take that first shot at meeting the challenge.