However, the show will be worrying for parents whose teenagers might be considering a career in modelling. It devalues a good profession by its determined focus on the absolute need to be a 'supermodel'. There is a winner-takes-all philosophy and those not chosen are left to heal their wounds, sometimes in a literal sense. With nurturing, most of the girls selected at the start of the programme could have a career as a model, albeit not of the 'super' class. But, of course, that would not make for such outrageous TV.
I was horrified to hear that these impressionable girls needed to be 'broken down emotionally, as well as physically'; a highly dangerous strategy, underlined by the need for a psychologist to be on hand 24 hours a day.
The programme's most startling point is the total lack of humour. Modelling - like the rest of the creative industry - has many lighter moments, and clients actively seek girls and boys who are fun and engaging to work with.
Some valid points are made in Make Me a Supermodel, especially by the experts brought in to assist, but, sadly, the helpful words are overshadowed by the venom that seems to seep through every pore of this disturbing series. It is getting ugly and I, for one, cannot be bothered any more.
- Broadcaster Five.
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