Italia's Next Top Model
Encyclopedia
Italia's Next Top Model is an Italian reality television show hosted by Natasha Stefanenko
and based on the American program of the same name
. It is broadcast on SKY Uno, a channel of the Italian Pay Television SKY Italia
. The first cycle premiered in December 2007 and soon became popular among viewers.
, one of the most important capitals of fashion where the girls stay during the competition.
Each season of Italia's Next Top Model features 14-15 aspiring models and airs in 12-13 episodes.
Each episode one contestant is eliminated except for the final episode when two eliminations take place, although double eliminations have also occurred. Makeovers are administered to the girls early in the season, usually after the first elimination. Photoshoots in destinations outside of Milan or Italy are also scheduled, usually in the second half of the competition.
Each episode covers the events of roughly a week of real time and features a reward challenge, an elimination challenge (photo shoot, runway, a commercial), then the judging of the girls' performances, which leads to the elimination of one contestant.
An episode usually shows the contestants receiving training in an area concurrent with the job of a model. For example, contestants may get coached in runway walking, applying make-up to suit various occasions, improving knowledge of fashion or fashion business, developing a personal style. A related challenge soon follows to show what the girls have learned, for example a mock runway show, and a judge chooses a winner. She receives some prize, such as clothing, some spare time in Milan, or the chance to phone home since the contestants of Italia's Next Top Model cannot keep in touch with their families or friends while the show is being taped.
In the first three cycles daily episodes were also aired to show the girls' life in their house and teachings given them: usually lessons on runway walk and posing, meetings with a life coach, lessons with nutritionists and physical training.
The judging panel originally included four permanent judges: the host Natasha Stefanenko, Russian former model and actress who is popular in Italy and equals the role of Tyra Banks
as the head of the search in the original series; former top model, Gianni Versace
's and Giorgio Armani
's muse, Nadege du Bospertus who was the harshest and most demanding judge; Micheal Giannini who also appeared in ANTM Cycle 2
go-sees episode and is the art director and talent scout of d’Management Group; the fourth judge is the noted Italian fashion journalist Giusi Ferrè. Other judges often showing up at panel in the first two cycles were the recurring photographers: photographer Ciro Zizzo and renowned photographer Settimio Benedusi and they both also worked alternatively with the girls in many of their photo shoots. In cycle 3 the panel was joined by a guest judge changing each week while the panel changed in cycle 4 when former top model Nadege was replaced by former top model Antonia Dell'Atte, Giorgio Armani's muse in the 1980s and photographer Alberto Badalamenti became another permanent judge.
Several well known faces from the Italian fashion industry made an appearance on the show, including important fashion designers such as Gentucca Bini for Maison Romeo Gigli, Francesco Martini Coveri, Carlo Pignatelli, Eva Cavalli, Rossella Jardini for Moschino, Chantal Thomass, Maurizio Modica & Pierfrancesco Gigliotti of Frankie Morello, Manuel Facchini for Byblos, fashion designer John Richmond, Elio Fiorucci, Antonio Riva, Dean and Dan Caten from DSquared2 and Antonio Marras. Top models such as Bianca Balti, Kartika Luyet and Alena Seredova made an appearance on the show as well.
At the end of the first cycle Gilda Sansone
emerged victorious. Sansone subsequently enjoyed success in the model business working with well-known artists such as photographer Annie Leibovitz
.
The second Cycle started in September 2008 with the selection of the final 14 among the 30 semifinalists chosen in the previous castings throughout Italy. Michela Maggioni
ended up being the winner, thus getting a one-year-contract with d'Management and becoming the face of Max Factor 2009 Italian campaign.
The third cycle was aired in Fall 2009 with some changes in the format such as the introduction of a public in the studio where judgment and eliminations took place and a runway challenge to determine who among the 2 worst girls each week would be eliminated. It was reported that about 1,500 aspiring models have applied for castings. Anastasia Silveri
succeeded in taking the title, resulting the first winner with no appearances in the bottom two.
A fourth cycle was aired in Spring 2011 with a return to the original format with no more public in the studio. Alice Taticchi
earned the win, thus gaining a conctract with Fashion Models Milan and and an editorial for Lancôme.
and Italian Top Model shows share a similar structure with challenges, judging and elimination.
However, Italia's Next Top Model developed features on its own: first of all, not every episode includes a photo shoot since the elimination challenge could consist of a runway challenge, where the girls are asked to interpret or make the most of different ranges of outfits.
Another difference is the administration of two makeovers to the girls, one at the beginning of the competition and one halfway through when the group has been reduced to seven contestants.
Also, for its first 3 cycles INTM has been structured in both weekly episodes - with one girl's elimination - and daily episodes - aired to show what the aspiring models learn in the modeling school.
The main difference from the original American format was introduced in cycle 3. The judging session was made in front of an audience with the judges openly voting for the girl in the bottom two they want to evict from the competition, after the two worst girls of each week have performed in a runway challenge to help the judges decide.
These changes were not well received by the public who immediately felt disappointed in watching a show that did not reflect the American format anymore, thus losing suspense and cohesiveness. The new format was also criticized for introducing guest judges not related to the fashion world but rather being tv celebrities with very little knowledge of modelling and poor judging skills which made the show lose credibility in the viewers' eyes. The viewers also criticized the production for focusing too much on clashes in the daily episodes and for trying to arise tensions among the girls in the judging studio by showing them videos of themselves talking behind one another's backs. The new process of elimination made the episodes less entertaining, as well as the removal of the weekly reward challenges subsequently shown in daily episodes, with lower quality tasks and prizes. Heavy criticism has also affected the general production of the show and its photoshoots, often deemed poorer than the original version in planning, execution and outcome and repetitive in themes always focusing on sexy shoots.
In cycle 4 the show returned to its original format without audience at elimination and no more open eviction vote from the judges. Daily episodes were also removed in favour of more developed weekly episodes.
In Cycle 3 the original pool of 16 girls was reduced. For the show's rules only 14 girls could make it into the final cast, therefore the 2 semi-finalists Giada Combusti and Veronica Valentini were not credited in the official opening sequence.
Original finalist Elizabeth Reale picked in the live final casting episode quit before the beginning of the tapings and was replaced by semi-finalist Rossella Bersani
Natasha Stefanenko
Natalia "Natasha" Stefanenko , is a Russian-born actress, model, and television presenter who lives and works in both Italy and Russia.- Early years :...
and based on the American program of the same name
America's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry....
. It is broadcast on SKY Uno, a channel of the Italian Pay Television SKY Italia
Sky Italia
Sky Italia S.r.l. is an Italian digital satellite television platform owned by News Corporation launched on 1 August 2003, when the former platforms TELE+ and Stream TV merged together...
. The first cycle premiered in December 2007 and soon became popular among viewers.
Show format
The show is mainly taped in MilanMilan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, one of the most important capitals of fashion where the girls stay during the competition.
Each season of Italia's Next Top Model features 14-15 aspiring models and airs in 12-13 episodes.
Each episode one contestant is eliminated except for the final episode when two eliminations take place, although double eliminations have also occurred. Makeovers are administered to the girls early in the season, usually after the first elimination. Photoshoots in destinations outside of Milan or Italy are also scheduled, usually in the second half of the competition.
Each episode covers the events of roughly a week of real time and features a reward challenge, an elimination challenge (photo shoot, runway, a commercial), then the judging of the girls' performances, which leads to the elimination of one contestant.
An episode usually shows the contestants receiving training in an area concurrent with the job of a model. For example, contestants may get coached in runway walking, applying make-up to suit various occasions, improving knowledge of fashion or fashion business, developing a personal style. A related challenge soon follows to show what the girls have learned, for example a mock runway show, and a judge chooses a winner. She receives some prize, such as clothing, some spare time in Milan, or the chance to phone home since the contestants of Italia's Next Top Model cannot keep in touch with their families or friends while the show is being taped.
In the first three cycles daily episodes were also aired to show the girls' life in their house and teachings given them: usually lessons on runway walk and posing, meetings with a life coach, lessons with nutritionists and physical training.
The judging panel originally included four permanent judges: the host Natasha Stefanenko, Russian former model and actress who is popular in Italy and equals the role of Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks
Tyra Lynne Banks is an American model, media personality, actress, occasional singer, author and businesswoman. She first became famous as a model, but television appearances were her commercial breakthrough...
as the head of the search in the original series; former top model, Gianni Versace
Gianni Versace
Gianni Versace was an Italian fashion designer and founder of Gianni Versace S.p.A., an international fashion house, which produces accessories, fragrances, makeup and home furnishings as well as clothes. He also designed costumes for the theatre and films, and was a friend of Madonna, Elton John,...
's and Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani is an Italian fashion designer, particularly noted for his menswear. He is known today for his clean, tailored lines. He formed his company, Armani, in 1975, and by 2001 was acclaimed as the most successful designer to come out of Italy, with an annual turnover of $1.6 billion and a...
's muse, Nadege du Bospertus who was the harshest and most demanding judge; Micheal Giannini who also appeared in ANTM Cycle 2
America's Next Top Model, Cycle 2
America's Next Top Model Cycle 2, which premiered on January 13, 2004, was the second season of America's Next Top Model hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, which aims to find the next top fashion model. The cycle's catch-phrase was "They are all gorgeous, but only one has what it takes".This was the...
go-sees episode and is the art director and talent scout of d’Management Group; the fourth judge is the noted Italian fashion journalist Giusi Ferrè. Other judges often showing up at panel in the first two cycles were the recurring photographers: photographer Ciro Zizzo and renowned photographer Settimio Benedusi and they both also worked alternatively with the girls in many of their photo shoots. In cycle 3 the panel was joined by a guest judge changing each week while the panel changed in cycle 4 when former top model Nadege was replaced by former top model Antonia Dell'Atte, Giorgio Armani's muse in the 1980s and photographer Alberto Badalamenti became another permanent judge.
Several well known faces from the Italian fashion industry made an appearance on the show, including important fashion designers such as Gentucca Bini for Maison Romeo Gigli, Francesco Martini Coveri, Carlo Pignatelli, Eva Cavalli, Rossella Jardini for Moschino, Chantal Thomass, Maurizio Modica & Pierfrancesco Gigliotti of Frankie Morello, Manuel Facchini for Byblos, fashion designer John Richmond, Elio Fiorucci, Antonio Riva, Dean and Dan Caten from DSquared2 and Antonio Marras. Top models such as Bianca Balti, Kartika Luyet and Alena Seredova made an appearance on the show as well.
At the end of the first cycle Gilda Sansone
Gilda Sansone
Gilda Sansone is an Italian fashion model and winner of the first cycle of Italia's Next Top Model.-Early life:Born in the Campanian town of Pompei, Sansone had always dreamt to be a model...
emerged victorious. Sansone subsequently enjoyed success in the model business working with well-known artists such as photographer Annie Leibovitz
Annie Leibovitz
Anna-Lou "Annie" Leibovitz is an American portrait photographer.-Early life and education:Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Leibovitz is the third of six children. She is a third-generation American whose great-grandparents were Jewish immigrants, from Central and Eastern Europe. Her father's...
.
The second Cycle started in September 2008 with the selection of the final 14 among the 30 semifinalists chosen in the previous castings throughout Italy. Michela Maggioni
Michela Maggioni
Michela Maggioni is an Italian fashion model and winner of the second cycle of Italia's Next Top Model.-Early life:...
ended up being the winner, thus getting a one-year-contract with d'Management and becoming the face of Max Factor 2009 Italian campaign.
The third cycle was aired in Fall 2009 with some changes in the format such as the introduction of a public in the studio where judgment and eliminations took place and a runway challenge to determine who among the 2 worst girls each week would be eliminated. It was reported that about 1,500 aspiring models have applied for castings. Anastasia Silveri
Anastasia Silveri
Anastasia Silveri is a Russian-born Italian fashion model and the winner of the third cycle of Italia's Next Top Model.-Early life:...
succeeded in taking the title, resulting the first winner with no appearances in the bottom two.
A fourth cycle was aired in Spring 2011 with a return to the original format with no more public in the studio. Alice Taticchi
Alice Taticchi
Alice Taticchi is an Italian fashion model, beauty pageant contestant, and the winner of the fourth cycle of Italia's Next Top Model.-Early life:...
earned the win, thus gaining a conctract with Fashion Models Milan and and an editorial for Lancôme.
Differences with ANTM & Criticism
Both AmericanAmerica's Next Top Model
America's Next Top Model is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry....
and Italian Top Model shows share a similar structure with challenges, judging and elimination.
However, Italia's Next Top Model developed features on its own: first of all, not every episode includes a photo shoot since the elimination challenge could consist of a runway challenge, where the girls are asked to interpret or make the most of different ranges of outfits.
Another difference is the administration of two makeovers to the girls, one at the beginning of the competition and one halfway through when the group has been reduced to seven contestants.
Also, for its first 3 cycles INTM has been structured in both weekly episodes - with one girl's elimination - and daily episodes - aired to show what the aspiring models learn in the modeling school.
The main difference from the original American format was introduced in cycle 3. The judging session was made in front of an audience with the judges openly voting for the girl in the bottom two they want to evict from the competition, after the two worst girls of each week have performed in a runway challenge to help the judges decide.
These changes were not well received by the public who immediately felt disappointed in watching a show that did not reflect the American format anymore, thus losing suspense and cohesiveness. The new format was also criticized for introducing guest judges not related to the fashion world but rather being tv celebrities with very little knowledge of modelling and poor judging skills which made the show lose credibility in the viewers' eyes. The viewers also criticized the production for focusing too much on clashes in the daily episodes and for trying to arise tensions among the girls in the judging studio by showing them videos of themselves talking behind one another's backs. The new process of elimination made the episodes less entertaining, as well as the removal of the weekly reward challenges subsequently shown in daily episodes, with lower quality tasks and prizes. Heavy criticism has also affected the general production of the show and its photoshoots, often deemed poorer than the original version in planning, execution and outcome and repetitive in themes always focusing on sexy shoots.
In cycle 4 the show returned to its original format without audience at elimination and no more open eviction vote from the judges. Daily episodes were also removed in favour of more developed weekly episodes.
Cycle summary
| Cycle | Premiere date | Winner | Runner-up | Other contestants in order of elimination | Number of contestants | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Italia's Next Top Model, Cycle 1 Italia's Next Top Model, Cycle 1 was the first season of the Italian reality television show based on the American program of the same name which was broadcast on SkyVivo, a channel of the Italian subscription television Sky TV... |
December 4, 2007 | Gilda Sansone Gilda Sansone Gilda Sansone is an Italian fashion model and winner of the first cycle of Italia's Next Top Model.-Early life:Born in the Campanian town of Pompei, Sansone had always dreamt to be a model... |
Elga Blasetti | Annalisa Bianconi, Agnese Mantovani, Sara Martini, Francesca Limiti, Elena Cisonni, Alessandra Bettoja, Manuela Mazzoni, Fiorella Amadei, Francesca Benedetto, Laura Ferraro, Tiziana Piergianni, Lorena Stra | 14 |   Ibiza Ibiza Ibiza or Eivissa is a Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea 79 km off the coast of the city of Valencia in Spain. It is the third largest of the Balearic Islands, an autonomous community of Spain. With Formentera, it is one of the two Pine Islands or Pityuses. Its largest cities are Ibiza... |
| 2 Italia's Next Top Model, Cycle 2 Italia's Next Top Model, Cycle 2 is the second season of the Italian reality television show based on the American program of the same name. It is broadcast on SkyVivo, a channel of the Italian subscription television Sky TV. It began airing in September 2008 and is currently airing.The host is... |
September 23, 2008 | Michela Maggioni Michela Maggioni Michela Maggioni is an Italian fashion model and winner of the second cycle of Italia's Next Top Model.-Early life:... |
Elena Ripamonti | Claudia Boi, Mary Balducci, Noemi De Falco, Claudia Cuomo, Diletta Venturoli, Claudia Manzella, Giulia Galizia, Amy Doukoure, Giada Folcia, Giorgia de Nunno, Martina Cioffi, Beatrice Coos | 14 |   Capri Capri Capri is an Italian island in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the Sorrentine Peninsula, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples, in the Campania region of Southern Italy... |
| 3 Italia's Next Top Model, Cycle 3 Italia's Next Top Model, Cycle 3 is the third season of the Italian reality television show based on the American program of the same name. It is broadcast on SkyUno, a channel of the Italian subscription television Sky TV. It started airing in October 2009.... |
October 2, 2009 | Anastasia Silveri Anastasia Silveri Anastasia Silveri is a Russian-born Italian fashion model and the winner of the third cycle of Italia's Next Top Model.-Early life:... |
Anisia Tripa | Athina Covassi, Jade Albany Pietrantonio (quit), Veronica Testa, Eleonora Meneghini, Carlotta Castagneris, Elisa Provaso, Karis Decò, Diletta Neri, Gilda Testa, Giorgia Albarello, Marianna Di Martino De Cecco, Caroline Cecere, Sabrina Cereseto | 15 |  Barcelona Barcelona Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...  Marseille Marseille Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of... |
| 4 Italia's Next Top Model, Cycle 4 Italia's Next Top Model, Cycle 4 is the fourth season of Italia's Next Top Model based on the American program of the same name. It is broadcast on SkyUno, a channel of the Italian subscription television Sky TV. It premiered in Spring 2011.... |
March 30, 2011 | Alice Taticchi Alice Taticchi Alice Taticchi is an Italian fashion model, beauty pageant contestant, and the winner of the fourth cycle of Italia's Next Top Model.-Early life:... |
Ginevra Ficari | Lorenza Celentano, Giulia Danieli, Beatrice Pancaldi, Rossella Gambi, Veronica Fracastoro, Adriana Mazzarini, Valeria Colosio, Benedetta Piscitelli, Rossella Bersani, Bruna Ndiaye, Ilaria Tiburzi, Francesca Regorda | 14 |  Mont Blanc Mont Blanc Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco , meaning "White Mountain", is the highest mountain in the Alps, Western Europe and the European Union. It rises above sea level and is ranked 11th in the world in topographic prominence...  Almería Almería Almería is a city in Andalusia, Spain, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the capital of the province of the same name.-Toponym:Tradition says that the name Almería stems from the Arabic المرية Al-Mariyya: "The Mirror", comparing it to "The Mirror of the Sea"... |
In Cycle 3 the original pool of 16 girls was reduced. For the show's rules only 14 girls could make it into the final cast, therefore the 2 semi-finalists Giada Combusti and Veronica Valentini were not credited in the official opening sequence.
Original finalist Elizabeth Reale picked in the live final casting episode quit before the beginning of the tapings and was replaced by semi-finalist Rossella Bersani