Top Model spinoff heads to catwalk
October 10, 2008The network has ordered a pilot for “Operation Fabulous,” starring “Top Model” regulars Jay Manuel and J. Alexander and executive produced by “Top Model” chiefs Tyra Banks and Ken Mok.
On “Fabulous,” “Jay and J,” as Manuel and Alexander are called on “Top Model,” will travel the country giving women makeovers. In various towns, the duo will select five participants and give them “Top Model”-style overhauls — how to dress, wear their hair and makeup and bring out their confidence with the support of family, friends and their community.
The project seeks to capitalize on a fan-favorite “Model” segment, when contestants are given head-to-toe high-fashion makeovers supervised by Alexander.
Manuel and Alexander have been with “Model” since the series’ debut on UPN in 2003. Manuel is the creative director of show’s photo shoots; Alexander is a runway expert who has been a judge for the past few seasons.
“Model” airs twice a year on the CW. Although ratings have ebbed in recent years, the reality show remains the network’s highest-rated series.
Angelina Jolie breastfeeding
Jolie appears on the cover of the W’s November issue in a sleeveless top, which has been opened to reveal part of her left breast and a tiny hand ostensibly belonging to one of her twins, Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline, who were born in July.
The black-and-white photo shows Jolie smiling, her long brown hair cascading over her shoulder. The cover headline promises exclusive “private photos” of the 33-year-old actress by her partner Brad Pitt.
Jolie last caused a stir when she wore a white nursing bra underneath her tank top on the cover of People magazine after she and Pitt welcomed daughter Shiloh, now 2 years old.
Another breast-feeding cover that got people talking was in the summer of 2006, when Babytalk magazine published a photo of a baby and part of a woman’s breast in profile. The magazine conducted a poll of more than 4,000 readers; a quarter of responses were negative, finding the photo inappropriate.
La Leche League International, the world’s oldest breast-feeding support organization, applauds Jolie’s apparent decision to be photographed nursing.
“Breast-feeding in public reveals a whole lot less than what has been revealed on the red carpet. … I think we do need more role models like Angelina Jolie willing to be photographed and say, `Hey look, it can be done, it oughta be done,’” said La Leche spokeswoman Jane Crouse. (more…)
