There’s a new reality shown in England called “Britain’s Missing Top Model” featuring young women with disabilities competing in a beauty contest. It will air on BBC Three and includes women in the 18-30 range, one of whom is partially paralyzed, one deaf and several limbless. The winner gets a spread in British Marie Claire and will be represented by a modeling agency. Producers say they want to increase awareness and acceptance of people with disabilities:
‘Britain’s Missing Top Model’ only features models with disabilities from around the world – including one from the U.S.. Among the eight lovely ladies who will duke it out onscreen are women without limbs, some who are partially paralyzed and one who is deaf.
The series, which debuts on BBC in July, reportedly aims to challenge the standard of beauty in the fashion industry.
“I went into this program thinking it was an adventure, rather than a path to a new career,” contestant Jessica Kellgren-Hayes, who often uses a wheelchair to get around, told Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper. “Although I don’t want any of my dreams to be unattainable, I’m not sure if Britain is ready for a model with a disability.”
U.K. Marie Claire editor Marie O’Riordan, who serves as a judge for “Missing Top Model,” says she has high hopes for the show: “I do believe the program could help challenge our attitudes to disability. I want to see the winner shake up the fashion industry. These young women shouldn’t be invisible to the fashion world just because they are disabled.”
[From NY Daily News]
I have mixed feelings about this. When I first read this article, I was shaking my head and sighing. These reality show beauty contests are asinine and it just sounds like another show creating drama around competition, except this time the contestants have physical disabilities. On the other hand, if they handle it tactfully it might be able to break down “beauty barriers.” Whatever their reasons for featuring disabled women on a modeling contest, surely ratings are behind this decision more than anything else. This brings up all sorts of issues about the standard of beauty and objectification of women. If it increases awareness and is an opportunity these women wouldn’t otherwise have, that’s great. I don’t usually watch the modeling reality shows though and my initial reaction is skepticism.
Here are some photos of the contestants, thanks to the NY Daily News. It’s telling that the one woman who is slightly overweight in this group of gorgeous women is dressed goofy and holding a broken mirror.
I had a class that we talked a lot about this kind of stuff. My teacher showed clips of Howard Stern’s amputee beauty pageant. He talked about how some people felt it was innapropriate but Howard was really just respecting the disabled people’s wishes — treating them like he does everyone else. Howard was making them “sexy” whereas most see people with disabilities as just sexless.
Mixed feelings too. If the producer’s intentions are really about changing our definition of beauty, then that is great, fabulous, and I whole-heartedly support it.
However, if this is a voyeuristic attempt to show off these women’s disabilities as a ratings ploy, then that is disgusting.
Also, the fashion world tends to like “different” people. I suprised there hasn’t been a big-time fashion model with a missing limb before. I think I would see a big-name designer choosing an amputee as a muse as more exploitive than this show.
I think talked about seeing people with disabilities equally when I commented on that controversial “magazine editors are racist when they select covers” post.
The title of this prog is ambiguous. What does the ‘missing’ imply? The absence of a limb or a faculty, or that people with disabilities are missing from the mainstream modelling world? If it’s the former, it’s defining someone by their perceived disability which is contrary to what the prog is supposedly seeking to do.
Having said that, it’s a BBC production, they’re rarely gratuitous, usually provocative in a challenging and positive way, and the programme is tied in and endorsed by Ouch, the BBC’s disability website and other disability groups. So why not. If you look at the main pic, the last thing you notice about the model is her missing arm.
I just hope that whoever wins the show doesn’t fade away into obscurity like other modeling shows. Otherwise, how will that “shake up” anything like the Marie Claire UK editor suggests? And how about casting different models, of ALL types in her magazine? I don’t want to be cynical, but can’t help it–think this just might smack of hypocrisy.
In Angola they have a Miss Landmine contest where the feature women who have lost limbs to landmines.
(www.miss-landmine.org)
I feel like “disabilites” isn’t the PC term…anyone know?
@ Silent A
Disability is preferable to handicapped. I hear the term “differently abled” very rarely, its a mouth full, so I don’t think it will catch on. Also, it is in the way that it is used. As in “disabled women” is more offensive than “women with disabilities”. The former defines the person by the disability and the latter acknowledges it without defining the person by it. Kind of nit-picky, but there you go.
I think its an idea whose time has come.
I am tired of only able-bodied people being considered attractive.
I am 100% with it. We should see more people with missing members for example or other disabilities like hemiplegia, so we would get used to the seight and avoid the reaction of fear/horror/embarassement uncontrollably going with the first seight.
I like the header picture because the girl really looks like a model only with that little difference.
It’s not handicapped, it’s HANDY CAPABLE!
“It’s telling that the one woman who is slightly overweight in this group of gorgeous women is dressed goofy and holding a broken mirror.”
overweight??!!! what the hell… she’s as gorgeous as all the rest, and most definately not “overweight”. god…:evil:
I think it’s a great idea! Only problem I see is where can they film this that will have enough blue parking spaces?
I don’t mean to be rude or tactless here but I do not have much faith in the professional capacity and credibility of this program.
Disabled women as beauty models is not a bad idea but saying they could/should make it in the true modelling world is rather odd and unbelievable. A model walks down the catwalk to the beat of music, I don’t see how a deaf women could do it. Some walks are strong and aggressive and ask for a lot of balance, especially when you’re handed over a pair of superhigh heels. Backstage is a very unglamorous world with lots of rivalry. It is a true jungle and the time you have to slip into an outfit (and out of it again to put on another one) is almost unbearable. It would definitely be very tricky for a person missing a limb.
You have 55 seconds sometimes, and that’s it!
Those are only examples of what models struggle with on daily basis during Fashion Week.
I am all for making all kinds of women role models but this program suggest that the models are the role models for our daughters. And I don’t want to go down that road.
I would rather have heard of a TV program with gorgeous disabled women who make it in the real world just like everyone else. If that includes one of them being a model, then that’s fine.
The modeling world is pure madness and only few truly make it. Those women are exceptional beauties with exceptional features and exceptional physical and psychological capacities. Then they have to work (very hard and only for a short time of their life) to make those amazing features work for them, bring money in.
And that’s it.
I usually find the BBC programs and shows to be of great quality and thought through but I am reserved about this one…
SilentA – CurlyFry is correct, I think, especially the assement about “disabled women” vs “women with disabilities”. I work in the media and we use disability rather than handicapped or retarded.
A new AP stylebook has come out and it changed the terms for mental disabilities, I don’t know about physical ones. http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003821221
Also, I am afraid this will be an easy way to have to endure Heather Mills talking and giving precious (cough) advice again…
Oh no. 🙄
I think it’s cool. Besides the fact that all shows of this nature are exploitative, they are adults and have chosen to be exploited to some extent. Regardless, hopefully the show bring more awareness. That said, I won’t watch it, just like I don’t watch other shows of this nature. I just don’t glean enjoyment from exploitation.
But, to say the model with the mirror is ‘over weight’ is rediculous. 🙄 Maybe you just didn’t get a very good look at the model, she’s not over weight, is quite slim.
Oh Bellatrix, gorgeous women with disabilities make it in the real world every single day of the week without ever requiring or asking for a camera crew to record their struggle. Sorry, but that’s just annoying.
These women are not asking for special treatment, they’re asking for an opportunity to be perceived in exactly the same way as people without disabilities. No one’s saying it’s got to be catwalk, there are mutitudes of high-end modelling opportunities out there for photogenic, physically beautiful women and these girls have every right to expect to be able to complete alongside their ‘non-disabled’ sisters. That’s the whole point, they’re not asking for special consideration, they’re asking to be seen as employment-worthy for what they CAN do, not what they CAN’T.
geronimo,
My real struggle with this show is regarding the fact they want to find the “disabled model” that is missing (at least in the UK). I don’t find that to be so great. If these models were in a contest that also had not-disabled ladies trying to become a model, I would find it a much better initiative and also an honest one.
Catwalks may seem unimportant but a real model’s carreer is often based on running down the catwalk. Your “trade value” starts from there on. If you can walk well and star in major shows, there’s very little chance you won’t photograph good.
My problem is with the real modeling life they’re going to give the winner. I’m afraid she might just never be a model as the job usually is.
I would be surprised if she could make a true living out of it. I don’t believe the winning (or not, for a fact) girl will be able to have the real modeling carreer.
It would highly unrealistic and utopic to think that…
Again, I’d rather see them compete with other girls. I don’t like this group separation: disabled models go here. Ladies with all limbs and physical capacities go there.
That’s not the way I see integration and helping disabled people to acquire a “normal” status in society.
I understand your reservations, really I do, but it’s NOT a level playing field and they’ve got to start somewhere! This, at least, is a start in the right direction. I’d rather give what I believe could be an interesting series the benefit of the doubt and not dismiss it before it airs.
If it opens up dialogue and makes people assess/reassess their approach to and feeling about disability and beauty, then as far as I’m concerned, it’s time and money well spent.
In the end, geronimo, I don’t even have a TV at home and never had.
I follow about two or three shows and series online such as Project Runway which is put on Youtube very quickly after it’s been aired.
I buy DVD sets of series (ah, BBC’s good oldies such as You Rang M’Lord, can’t get enough of it) and watch them on my laptop and that’s it.
If I ever get to go to somebody’s place where the TV is on, I get highly intrigued and fascinated by commercials. That’s saying how much I know about the outplay of TV reality which is so in nowadays and apparently plays an educational role.
My view is slightly biased by the reality of the fashion industry and less the impact of television on people’s opinion.
That’s what makes the ultimate difference in my having reservations, I think.
Along the lines of your point Geronimo, I wonder why more disabled people aren’t given the chance to model.
Is it because there have been no people interested? Or is because we have a bias about beauty and what “normality” is. Special accommodations wouldn’t be needed if we didn’t view disability as weird or outside the normal human experience. Just my own thoughts, fueled by some well-tasting Ketel One… 😆
Bellatrix – I think it’s your views that these women are trying to overcome. A deaf person can FEEL the beat and stomp down the catwalk like any other woman. A woman with no arms can too.
Anne – I agree with you completely. Maybe the show is a little exploitive, but these gals signed themselves up for it.
As I said in my original comment, I’m suprised there are no people with disabilities already in high fashion, considering Amanda Lepore and other unique people always turn up on the catwalk. High fashion loves to be the first at things, loves people’s mouths to drop open. What better way?
The gal in the dark cropped jacket is gorgeous.
“You’re so pretty even though you’re in a wheel chair”…
I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that or something similar by family, friends and random people I’ve come across. I am a C6, incomplete quadriplegic due to a car accident I had less than 2 years ago. Before my injury I heard that I was beautiful pretty often(not trying to sound conceited lol I’m going somewhere with this)…now I don’t hear it without my chair being mentioned…like it cancels out the beauty.
So…I like this idea…I’d have to see it 1st to see how they do it but I’d give it a chance.
About what I prefer to be called…my name lol but if you’re describing me…I don’t care. I know I’m in a wheelchair…it’s a major part of my life that I’ve accepted and can talk and joke about without an issue. As long as you talk to me like any other person…I’m good.
Bellatrix…maybe the norm of how the fashion world works could be changed…but I get what you mean. But just because it’s one way doesn’t mean a change can’t take place.
and Kevin…cute joke lol
I totally support it. Being someone who had their first hip replacement at 28 and two follow up surgeries that have left me with countless complications including a difference in leg lengths, I can tell you that I have been approached numerous times by agents and photographers who ask if I model. Usually I’m sitting down or they’ve seen a photo of me. Of course I turn it down because I know the minute I stand up and walk five feet they will see that I have physical challenges and would not meet their idealized mold of “beauty”. Isn’t that sad? It is for me. A program like this is perfectly acceptable and nobody is being forced to participate. I say to each and every one of them…..GO FOR IT!!!
Um…the girl in the third to last picture: is her disability a broken wrist??
these girls are certainly prettier than the 40-year old looking soccer moms tyra has been trotting out the past few seasons!
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A deaf contestant won the Miss America pageant in 1995.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heather_Whitestone