Asian model wannabes are more shy

Comparing Asian wannabe models to their American counterparts, celebrity photographer Mike Rosenthal notices one big difference: The Asians are more shy.

Rosenthal, who has shot the leggy beauties on hit reality TV show America's Next Top Model as well as been a guest judge, is now resident judge and photographer on the second and latest season of its Asian spin-off, Asia's Next Top Model.

Outside of the show, he has shot the likes of A-list stars such as actresses Marion Cotillard and Charlize Theron, and actors Robert De Niro and John Travolta.

Speaking to Life! over the telephone from Los Angeles where he is based, he gave his frank view of the contestants on Asia's Next Top Model. Season 2 premieres on Star World (StarHub TV Channel 501, SingTel mio TV Channel 301) on Wednesday.

"Obviously, some of the Asian contestants were very outgoing but as a whole, a lot of the girls had more difficulties expressing emotions, and were more reserved and shy. Some of them even said that they grew up not expressing their opinions. So I think there was that cultural difference when you compare them to American girls."

In comparison, says the photographer, "there are young American girls who are very, very open about sharing their opinions with just about everybody".

He adds that the Asian contestants' tendency to be more reserved did limit them somewhat in certain situations.

"For some of them, it could have been an English language issue but I felt bad if they couldn't speak up properly. Everybody's a little afraid of saying that they don't know something because they don't want to be a pest and cause problems. But to me, I think it's important for people to ask questions to clarify certain things if they have to."

Having said that, the "level of professionalism" between the contestants of both regions is "very much on a par", he says. "Some models will have more experience than others and that's exactly how it was with America's Next Top Model as well. The girls on both shows put in effort in their work and that shows."

Asia's Next Top Model Season 2 pits a fresh group of 16 models from 12 countries and territories around Asia, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and India, against one another in various modelling challenges.

Aside from Rosenthal, the other judges are host and head judge Nadya Hutagalung, model Joey Mead King and movement coach Adam Williams.

As this is the first time Rosenthal plays resident judge - his previous guest judge stints on the American show lasted only a few episodes at a time - he says he has learnt how "hard" it is to have to eliminate certain contestants.

"When you get emotionally invested in them, and put blood, sweat and tears to get them to improve and grow, then at a certain point, there's just no one who's an obvious choice of elimination. It's more like, who's the 'least great' of the bunch?"

Assessing his own judging style, he says he tried to be "the honest one".

With a chuckle, the bachelor says: "I tried to be gentle but firm. For a lot of these girls, they come in completely green and are not very comfortable in front of the camera and having their pictures taken.

"They have reservations and insecurities about looking ugly or fat in the photos, so you try to work with them on those things. There's no point in me not being honest with them, because I want to help them."

Given that the original America's Next Top Model has already churned out 20 seasons to date since its debut in 2003, you ask if he thinks there is actually any value to winning the show title any more.

Yes there is, he says. "I don't have numbers or anything, but I know previous contestants and winners have come out and found success in a number of different arenas. Some are actresses, some are models in different markets, some have done well as hosts.

"Not to say that some of them could not have gone on to do the same thing, but being on the show, by virtue of its publicity and the people you get to work with to build your portfolio - you'd have to work really, really hard to get that same material and exposure without the show."

Rosenthal, who came on board America's Next Top Model in 2005, also has the show to thank for placing him squarely in front of the camera, after years of working behind it. Since then, the hunky good-looker has gained a fan following of his own.

With a laugh, he says: "Those kinds of comments, they're all very flattering. I realised that for me, acting normal in front of the camera is not the easiest thing to get used to, but it's been fun."

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