"America's Next Top Model"
Season 3:

Girls Gone Wild??
Our Interview with Nigel Barker

Curiosity may have killed the cat - but we just had to find out what we could about the upcoming season of America's Next Top Model. Who better to ask than Nigel Barker? The famed photographer returns this season as a judge, and he was both gracious and fun during our chat. We talked about how he became part of America's Next Top Model, how he sees his role as "judge", the growing popularity of the show, the girls, and what we can expect this season.

Nigel's journey from model.. to famed photographer.. to... judge?

"It's an interesting story. J. Manuel, a friend of mine, asked if I would be interested in being one of the photographers for the show. They filmed all of the photographers, I guess to see how we are on camera." The network must have liked what they saw in Nigel, because he soon got the call asking him to be a part. But being a photographer and being a judge are two different things. I began to get a glimpse of how Nigel sees his role as judge when I asked him if he was surprised by the growth - or lack of growth - in any of the contestants he's judged so far. "No doubt. I'm a straight shooter. I'm not one to judge [laughs]... but that's not fair. Really, a want to be honest and not try to be cruel. These are very young girls, 19, 20... it's not worth it to be harsh or being cruel for cruel's sake. There's a lot of pressure." He points out that these girls aren't just vying for a prize like in other "reality" shows. They're reaching, and competing, for "a lifestyle, a career." Throw in the fact that these girls are being filmed 24 hours a day, and we can imagine the strain.

How does he think the girls would describe him (as a judge). "Last season, my first - I've kept in regular touch with the girls on the show. The top 5 girls, other than the winner, I arranged their agencies... I like to think of myself as a friend - someone they can talk to... The reality is they're real girls and I'm a real guy. I'm not prepared to walk away from someone after 2 months." By listening to how he stays in contact with the girls, and helping them guide their careers, I'm beginning to see for the first time the actual reality of this reality show. Sure, we watch them start the journey, but it was finally hitting me that it was just the start, just the beginning. When the winner is chosen and the cameras stop rolling, these girls are continuing to pursue their dream of becoming a "Top Model." Nigel's enthusiasm and sincerity when talking about the girls also tells me that he doesn't think of himself merely as a "judge" of a reality show.

Just another group of pretty faces....

So you take a group of women, narrow it down to 14, and have them compete for the show's top prize, "America's Next Top Model". With so many beautiful women, what is it that he looks for on elimination day? "I've been in the industry for 15 years. And if not on a daily basis, then certainly 3-4 times a week. I treat this the same way." Nigel went on to explain that the initial quality that anyone has is "face value" - the first initial impression. But the show gives him the chance to see more. "I think 'what can I use you for? What will get repeat bookings?' Personality." Nigel says he looks for someone that is a "pleasure to work with". Because the nature of the business can throw strangers together for a length of time for a shoot, he also likes to see how they react with people.

And this season's group of girls? How do they compare? "Every season is different. The girls are extraordinary. They're a lot of fun. I have more fun season by season." So what makes this season's girls different? "The girls are more aware. A lot more prepared." When I asked how, Nigel explained that these girls aren't shocked when a shoot may be "revealing." In fact "it is almost a race to see who can get their clothes off first."

The popularity factor...

The girls are also aware of the growing popularity of the show. And just why is America's Next Top Model so successful? "It's interesting. It is an obvious concept.. But you take someone as successful as Tyra [Banks], and the people she trusts. These are big designers, photographers... people with a lot of clout." It is the people that Tyra surrounds the girls with on the show that give it both validity and legitimacy.

There is also the ugly duckling into a swan aspect that appeals to the audience. "It's fun to see an average girl turn into a beautiful woman...to see models aren't 'born' that way." Nigel agrees that the viewers can see themselves in the contestants on the show. It isn't necessarily the "garden variety beauties" that the fashion industry seeks. Sometimes it is the more unusual looking girls, "the gawky girls at school that grew too tall too quickly, finally at 18 or 19 find themselves". Last season's Shandi was a perfect example. Plain Jane by day, striking beauty by camera and lights.

Wild and crazy season...?

I tried to get a glimpse into what this season holds. I asked if he could give me any tips as to what we could expect. Drama? Surprises? "Look out for an unusually unsuppressed batch of girls.... they are the most colorful..." Just how colorful? Nigel tried to explain it, "when you talk to the crew, the camera men... that worked on shows like Survivor and Real World... they all say that out of any of them [reality shows] that this is the most crazy bunch of girls yet."

I have a feeling we may just have to see it to believe it.

~Trixie, September 28, 2004


When: Wednesday Nights 8PM EST, PT
Where: UPN
Check your local listings for details.

Read more about America's Next Top Model Season 3
Read about America's Next Top Model Season 2
Read about America's Next Top Model Season 1
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