This morning at the CW’s up-fronts–a kind of trade show where television networks attempt to woo advertisers with hopes of snazzy fall programming–America’s Next top Model judge Jay Manuel revealed that next season’s winner will land a cover of Vogue Italia. That’s in lieu of the back cover of Seventeen.All we can say is: Wowwowweewa!?*@&#$*@#
Actually, that’s not true. Here’s what else we can say:
This is clearly the work of Mr. André Leon Talley, Vogue editor extraordinaire and Top Model judge. And it indicates that the contestants will prove a bit more “polished” next year.
While the competition show has downgraded its title affiliation several times over the years (from Elle to ElleGIRL to Seventeen), we’re not sure that this trade-up actually matters to the greater audience.
The presence of ALT and Francesca Sozzani may impress industry insiders, but will the majority of Top Model followers really care? Or will it get new people to watch? We’re doubtful.
