The BBC is currently running a reality series called Britain’s Missing Top Model, in which eight women with disabilities compete for a modeling contract. I can’t judge the series on its content because I’m on the wrong side of the pond and can’t watch the on-line episodes. It’s no surprise that all of the contestants are quite pretty and telegenic. After all, this is television. While the show’s concept strikes me as incredibly cheesy, but it’s difficult for me to judge whether it strays into exploitation. The BBC strikes me as an entity that has at least some clue about how to portray people with disabilities. Perhaps someone can send me the DVD collection so I can have a more informed opinion.
I’d make a terrible model. Can you imagine me in some Abercrombie & Fitch catalog, all bare-chested and oiled down? I do get compliments on my eyes, so maybe if I was just photographed from the nose up.
Okay, so I visited the link. Eeiks. As though it weren’t difficult enough to raise one’s head as an American these days. All-American girl Jenny is something else.