This weekend was the weekend of binging. I watched Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model and Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser back to back. Although I’m not the biggest fan of these shows, they were everywhere when I was growing up. I didn’t understand the appeal of America’s Next Top Model, it felt too over-the-top for me, but I know my cousins up north devoured every episode of some cycles. I was interested in The Biggest Loser at some point, but I never really went to watch an entire season.

So, there I was on Sunday morning, watching a documentary I know nothing about while working. I was seated, my ears were focused, and it made me realise a number of things.

Let’s talk about America’s Next Top Model first. A group of aspiring models competes in ANTM to be a supermodel. Every week, they go through different shoots called “challenges” and whose photo comes out the best, they will win that week, whoever’s is worst, they will go home. Girls will be sent home weekly until they crown the next top model of the US (really, they were only for US citizens).

When you think of “supermodels” where does your mind go? Mine goes somewhere where skinny tall women are. I see a lot of blank faces with really creative make up looks and clothes I won’t be able to wear on a normal day in Laguna. Tyra Banks, the creator and host of the show, said she created ANTM to change the fashion industry. She wanted it to be more inclusive, more fun, and more accessible to women who has potential.

The goal was humble and heartwarming, however, as a TV show, even good intentions get muddied up by the pressure to make more, and be more. That is exactly what happened.

The documentary told us the harsh reality of this reality TV show.

You don’t really get to be a top model

Several of the contestants talked about how it was hard for them to get a job in the fashion industry because of the show. The prospective agencies got a glimpse of how these women are in their comfort zone, which you know, is not usually visible to your employers. They mentioned not even being able to use the shots they used in the episodes because they were too much. Lastly, one contestant said that even when she won, they wouldn’t give her any shows because the designers were worried she might upstage them, and their designs.

Despite how great they were in the show, at the end of the day, your own hard work will ultimately determine where you’ll end up in life.

Ratings first, humanity second

It is so heartbreaking to see these girls breaking down in front of a camera and knowing the producers, who could have helped or instructed to turn the camera off, actually wanted these scenes. Drama sells. It’s crazy to think they’re selling drama in a show that’s supposed to be about fashion and creativity.

It made me think about how, when I was growing up, I’ve always wanted to be a TV writer and host. I love it when things like this come out naturally. I always thought I had a talent for making people feel vulnerable and show their true feelings. I had a high self-image then; I wonder where it is now. Now, as an adult, I understand how devastating it is to be in your lowest moment, and instead of sympathy, people around you will give you more airtime to make more money out of you.

At the end of the day, your hard work will tell you where you’ll be

To reiterate what I’ve written above, the women in the show all showed how dedicated they were, even with the worst possible themes and worst possible circumstances, they showed up, glammed up, and gave the poses of their lives. They all deserve so much better than what was given to them. I trust that these girls are now pursuing something they’re passionate about years after their cycle concluded.

All in all

This documentary is an interesting watch, even if you weren’t a fan. It’s also a great reminder that, regardless of how “inclusive” the fashion industry wants to be, you’ll always know they will be biased against heavier girls. It’s nice to know now that they don’t shy away from showing people with curves and flabs. I hope it stays that way. I hope the fashion industry stops giving girls eating disorders to fit the law of beauty they constructed.