UWG Next Top Model strikes a pose with students
Ellis Smith
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: News
The event began on time, in that all the participants were in their seats and waiting excitedly at 7 p.m. The mysterious "T," the organizer of the event, was a no-show for the first 10 minutes. The girls waited patiently, comparing outfits and experiences. "This is as ghetto as I'll ever get," remarked one attendee in an attempt to prove that her outfit was more urban than another participant's. Many of the girls dressed up by wearing extra jewelry, stylish clothes, and bringing expectant smiles. Others were more laid back and simply wore whatever was comfortable.
The audience was overwhelmingly female and 100% African-American, with the only males in attendance being either members of the press or staff members there to assist. All of a sudden, with his chic Bluetooth headset and laptop in tow, wearing a nice blue shirt and baggy pants, T rushed into the room, plugged in his laptop, and began preparing his presentation. The audience hushed expectantly. But nothing happened.
At first, T asked for help from another, more technically proficient member of his entourage. But he only succeeded in making CNN's Lou Dobbs appear on the screen, rather than the expected PowerPoint razzle-dazzle. After a few more button presses, a mysterious message, "No Zebras, No Excuses," appeared on the screen and quickly disappeared. Apparently the projector was now picking up other presentations going on in the building, just not the one on T's computer.
Martin Brown, a photographer on campus who will be taking pictures of the models during their quest for first prize, helped to soak up the silence by introducing himself and facilitating an informal meet and greet. Finally, 40 minutes later, a high-ranking Campus Center employee entered the room, pressed a few buttons, and the long-awaited PowerPoint Presentation flashed to life. In total, it lasted about five minutes, with T reintroducing himself, apologizing for the wait, and talking about what would take place in the remaining time.
T introduced his assistants, who were on hand to handle clothing designs, model training (runway walking), hair stylists, and other considerations. The program will continue from week to week, with girls getting "voted off the island," so to speak, until only the best remain. The only thing that there was time for on this particular day was a demonstration of proper model walking and a quick interview with each girl followed by a headshot.
Each model had a chance to show off her particular walk. Walks varied from Heidi Klum/Tyra Banks quality all the way down to Rosie O'Donnel/March of the Penguins waddles. Before turning, each girl fixed the staff with her look - a gaze that for some appeared fierce and confidant while others looked frightened and sick.
This contest promises to be one of UWG's most entertaining. Where else can you find beautiful women, humorous situations, and a contest all rolled into one? To answer a rhetorical question with another question, can you really afford to miss this? Next week promises more fun downstairs in the Campus Center, Thursday at 7 p.m.
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