Episode 50: What America’s Next Top Model taught us about bodies, beauty, gender and how to be on top (with Clinton McQueen)

TRANSCRIPT HERE

WOW WELCOME TO EPISODE 50! So completely chuffed that we achieved this milestone! *FANFARE AND STREAMERS*

The fabulously articulate (it’s his job) Clinton McQueen joins us to unpack in great detail the legacy of Americas Next Top Model, specifically Cycle 11. We discuss how the series perpetuated beauty and body standards, and tackled issues of race, gender, sexuality, mental illness and disability. We also unpack how they portrayed the inclusion of first transgender model on the series (Isis King) and what it meant for the world. Because as you should know, trans women are women, and trans lives matter.

To rewatch the ANTM season (if you so choose) click here!

 

Please note we recorded this episode before the abhorrent Anti-trans and Nazi attended March occurred in Melbourne and only make note of the anti-trans movements occurring overseas. I very much wish I didn’t have to make this note. 

 

CONTENT WARNING: body image and fat phobia, transphobia, homophobia, and sex work stigma, ableist language. Clinton and Steph do get a few pronouns and terms wrong despite attempts to do so (we refer to James St James as ‘he’ however he identifies with all pronouns). 

 

Follow Clinton @boyblinkquick on insta and find out if he ups his selfie game!

 

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REFERENCES:

• Ask the Director: Marjorie Conrad talks about life after “Top Model” and her debut “Chemical Cut” | Read | The Take (the-take.com)
• 'America's Next Top Model' alum Lisa D'Amato accused Tyra Banks of using her 'childhood trauma' against her  
• Did America’s Next Top Model Girls Have Eating Disorders? | OptimistMinds
• Did ANTM Cross The Line By Ignoring A Model’s Disability? | by Whitney Foster | Medium
• America’s Next Top Model star Isis King reveals show's 'hurtful' comments made her stronger | HELLO! (hellomagazine.com)
• Isis King Discusses Going from Homeless Transgender to Top Model | Teen Vogue
• Meet America's Next Top Model's first ever deaf contestant Nyle DiMarco (dailymail.co.uk)
• How ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Gaslighted the Models and Violated Their Boundaries | by Luna Laz | Write Like a Girl | Medium 
• 'America's Next Top Model' House Had No Bathroom Doors (businessinsider.com)

 

NOTE: This podcast is not designed to be therapeutic, prescriptive or constitute a formal diagnosis for any listener, nor the characters discussed. The host is not representative of all psychologists and opinions stated are her own personal opinion, based on her own learnings and training (and minimal lived experience). Host and co-hosts do not have the final say and can only comment based on their own perspectives, so please let us know if you dispute any of these opinions – we are keen for feedback!