ANTM's discrimination flip-flop
Just an update on the ANTM Cycle 11 girls post (since the expository link I provided included a dead YouTube clip, and especially since Isis' sexuality apparently isn't going to be a secret or part of some big reveal): In this clip from the first season of The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, transsexual Claudia talks about making it to the semi-finals of ANTM only to be cut for not being born with lady parts:
So, either ANTM has seen the err in its ways, or it's getting so desperate to exploit otherness that it's breaking its own rules. We all know damn well it's the latter case, but, uh...yay, diversity!
Well, good for ANTM, except that I wasn't even aware of the policy until now, so it's bad PR as much as good.
But I don't understand Janice--"When she posed with another male model I had to disclose that she is a man"? That's not much less prejudiced than rejecting transsexual models is.
Posted by: Fiona | August 14, 2008 at 12:08 AM
Not to be nitpicky but being a transsexual isn't so much one's sexuality as it is one's gender identity.
Posted by: chriso | August 14, 2008 at 02:22 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI65n1JsLkE
Posted by: nicole | August 14, 2008 at 02:37 AM
Based on the photos in your previous post, I thought this was going to be an all-transsexual cycle of ANTM. Can't wait to watch...
Jules
House of Jules
Posted by: HouseofJules | August 14, 2008 at 08:44 AM
I was going to post the same thing as Fiona..."came with issues" and "had to disclose her issues" by telling him Claudia was a man?
Why does Janice need to disclose that? Especially since it obviously affected the male model's work...I guess she just wanted good TV.
Posted by: inothernews | August 14, 2008 at 09:13 AM
On August 24, 2008 Samantha Fox will perform in Poland in concert of stars of the 80's, together with Kim Wilde, Sabrina, Sandra, Modern Talking, Limahl and Shakin' Stevens. The concert will be a part of Sopot Festival 2008 and will be presented live on Polish channel TVN.
Posted by: lawnjart | August 14, 2008 at 09:34 AM
I LOOOOVE your blog. But this post was useless.
Posted by: Granville | August 14, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Yesssss, Fiona is totally right. Good ol' Janice trying to come off as accepting and enlightened but coming off as stupid as usual.
Posted by: Chris | August 14, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Claudia's walk is fierce. I think the addition of a transexual person this season will make it all that more catty and there will finally be someone to put Miss J in his place about walking! (or so I hope)
Posted by: Cheryl | August 14, 2008 at 11:18 AM
The woman born woman policy was the first thing I thought of when I heard about Isis although I think Jaslene broke this rule two cycles ago.
Posted by: Mer | August 14, 2008 at 01:46 PM
i actualyl think that most transexuals are much more modelesque than real women. ::shrug:: crucify me know, but she sure can work it.
I am so excited to see isis on antm
and claudia will prolly be better off with janice.
AND (last time, i swear) she does have a responsiblity to tell the male model, it is his right, whether it made him nervy or not.
Posted by: Faith | August 14, 2008 at 03:13 PM
and really if HE cant handle it, maybe its time to fire him.
Posted by: Faith | August 14, 2008 at 03:16 PM
rich, way to have the most direct post title ever. good to know you're taking transphobia seriously.
Posted by: al | August 14, 2008 at 03:44 PM
I'm just surprised the male model is afraid to touch another man.
Posted by: Nikita Tinypaws | August 14, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Claudia made it to the semi-finals of which cycle of ANTM? I don't remember her, unless that's some qualification round that happens first, off-air?
Posted by: imdone | August 14, 2008 at 09:10 PM
Ok, why would they tell the other model that she was "a man"? That's pretty disrespectful.
Posted by: Kira | August 14, 2008 at 09:27 PM
Claudia is way hotter than Isis - it's too bad Tyra is so late to the party.
Posted by: Driver B | August 15, 2008 at 01:51 PM
"AND (last time, i swear) she does have a responsiblity to tell the male model, it is his right, whether it made him nervy or not."
Why? What the hell makes it "his right?" The only person who is entitled to share that information is Claudia herself, and it's absolutely no one else's "right" to know it.
Posted by: Vera | August 15, 2008 at 02:21 PM
Also, I meant to add: not only was it a big fail on Janice's part to tell the other model Claudia was "truly a man" (um, no) but it's also a big fail of her to call her transgenderism "her issues." Woman, please.
As for Ty Ty, I think this is just a big reversal for the sake of adding ~drama~, just like you called it, Rich.
Posted by: Vera | August 15, 2008 at 02:24 PM
They deny Claudia for ANTM yet choose an ugly tranny like Isis to mend their ways?
Oy vey.
Posted by: tr | August 17, 2008 at 05:53 PM
I thought the problem with Claudia was that she still has boy parts below the waist. No?
Posted by: NegativeNancy | August 18, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Why did they have to tell the boy model that she use to be a guy? That doesn't make any sense.
Posted by: Genevieve | August 18, 2008 at 12:51 PM
all you people complaining about janice telling the sissy model she is actually a he and people lauding her for working it better than women etc fail miserably at something:
bitch. fucking. looks. like. a. tranny. from. ten. miles. away.
i mean, come on.
Posted by: whatever, biotches | August 20, 2008 at 04:51 AM
Aaaagh,
PEOPLE! JANICE!
She is NOT "actually a man". She's been through years of hell, and extensive surgery. The fact she's making something of herself, and so positive, is truely commendable. Give her some respect. She is not male, anymore. And Janice has exposed herself as an idiot after saying that.
Posted by: Cez | August 20, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Supposeably Tyra wanted her in the show but producers thought the show wasn't ready for a 'controversy' like that. Especially when the show wasn't as established as it is now.
Posted by: | August 20, 2008 at 09:44 PM