There’s been so much controversy surrounding the badly-behaved Black women of reality shows like Basketball Wives and Love and Hip-Hop, we forget that one of the most iconic—and positive—reality TV divas of our time is Tyra Banks. Back in 2003, the model made the successful transition to reality television with the addictive America’s Next Top Model.
Subjecting aspiring models to campy challenges and dramatically delivering the judging results via their photographs, Tyra demystified the intimidating world of fashion for television viewers across the country and launched the careers of plus model Toccara Jones and actresses Yaya Dacosta and Eva Marcille. All the while, she was solidifying her personal brand as a black woman about her business.
In the last year, Black fashionistas have picked up the baton Tyra created with ANTM. In March 2012, celebrity stylist June Ambrose starred in VH1’s “Styled by June“, while Nicole Richie joined Jessica Simpson and John Varvatos as a mentor on NBC’s “Fashion Star”.
Last February, Rihanna announced she was executive producing reality competition “Styled to Rock” in the UK. (She’s bringing the show to American television via the Style Network.) And in October, model Joan Smalls hit the small screen as co-host of MTV’s “House of Style” reboot. Even Naomi Campbell is entering the reality TV fray, executive producing and debuting on “The Face”, set to premiere on Oxygen February 12th during New York Fashion Week.
With the return of Lifetime’s “Project Runway” on January 24th and “Fashion Star” on March 8th, contestants Samantha Black and Tori Nichel specifically look forward to showcasing their skill and talent—not the ability to create drama.
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article courtesy of Ebony.com
