When Sean, Beverly and I sat at the judges’ table for the first time, it was clear to me why we were all there.  Sean runs one of the most powerful modeling agencies in the world and knows exactly what clients are looking for. Beverly Johnson is more than a model -- she's an icon. I bring a viewpoint from the front row, as a fashion pundit and stylist who understands what types of beauties are missing on the pages of magazines and on the runways. Who knows exactly how each of the contestants felt standing in front of a panel of people who were "judging" them? Looking back, the beauty that all of our Top 20 contestants have is what's missing in the world. Any of these women would be a welcome breath of fresh air to the world of beauty campaigns, fashion runways and magazine editorials.   

 

What was clear at the judges table was that Sean, Beverly and I were all on a mission to find a timeless beauty, but not one that was ageless.   

 

People often times think they know how they look best, but many times what they see in the mirror isn't what everyone else sees. Being beautiful is more than the right haircut, the right weight, the right height. It's more about how you make what people think is wrong not only look right, but celebrate what's imperfect and unique. Beauty is just another word for originality.   

 

I was torn about so many of these women. Looking at the Top 20 finalists, I wish that it had played out differently for Pamela, Sandra and Alana. These three women are all powerful beauties who just barely missed the opportunity to be in the Top 10. While they’re all beautiful, and would probably work as models, each one was missing the smallest piece of panache that would have catapulted them into the next round.   

 

I’m sure people who watched the show didn’t expect Karin and Paula to be in the Top 10, but from the get-go, these two women were frontrunners -- not because of any pre-existing idea we have about beauty but because of the new standard of beauty that they make possible. Karin is a diamond in the rough and Paula is edgy, tough and emotional – all qualities that belie being a beauty, but are incredibly important to being one.   

 

For each of our Top 10 women, there’s a single moment where it’s understandable why they’re in this competition. Tanya is in complete transformation, which we saw when a lifetime of trying to be perfect cracked and tears started streaming down her face. At 35, Hope is as exuberant and vibrant as any 17-year-old model and simply comes alive in front of the camera. Celeste is shockingly youthful, looks incredible and is a lesson to all women that 50 is fabulous.   

 

As for next week: Put on your seat belts, kids, and get ready for a bumpy ride.  

 

--Robert Verdi

June 4, 2008

Message Edited by TVLTheLink on 06-11-2009 11:51 AM