With the seventh cycle of the hugely successful America's Next Top Model series about to get underway in a matter of hours, it makes sense to reflect on the role that the Northern American modeling show, previously of the UPN network, has had on the runway modeling industry in North America. What started as a way to keep supermodel vixen Tyra Banks, a modeling legend in the North American industry, from becoming washed up, it now an international phenomenon. And the fans wouldn't have it any other way.
The North American modeling world has been routinely filled with rail thin statue like figures with a speciality in appearing near death. With each new installment of America's Next Top Model, a more "normal" looking girl takes flight and wins the competition. Last year, that "normal" girl was the Southern not so belle Danielle. But Danielle's journey toward gold was a difficult one, she had to endure weeks of stringent challenges and tough eliminations before receiving her golden ticket into the North American modeling industry.
On the other hand, the quest to become a top model in the non-Western world of India is less daunting and occurs some attractive perks and privileges, like the introduction into the burstling Bollywood and Tollywood film industries.
Modeling In Other Regions of The World
In India, several supermodel beauties have gone on to become Bollywood screen legends, whereas it can be hard for some former supermodels in North America to land a job on reality TV after the light dim on the runway. Just look at Janice Dickinson. And then to a look at golden girl Deepika Padukone, for instance.
Bollywood's own answer to Hilary Duff, Deepika Padukone is an Indian supermodel whose modeling career has also featured numerous on screen appearances. The brown eyed, raven haired beauty was born in 1986. She is the daughter of the world's 1980 former badminton champion, Prakash Padukone and Ujjala Padukone. Deepika has one sister.
Deepika's start in modeling came with her appearances in several notable advertising campaigns. Her first print work were for the Close-Up toothpaste mogul, Liril soap, and Limca. But with big stars in her eyes, Deepika was interested in hitting the runway. She made her first runway appearance in 2003, at just seventeen. Everything after that has been history in the making.
Deepika received numerous modeling contracts. Amongst the most notable of her career endeavours have been her partnership with Jewel of India, a yearly exhibition for jewelry lovers. And Deepika's face has now gone international, thanks to her cover girl work with make-up giant Maybelline. The 2005 Kingfisher Fashion Awards named Deepika Model of the Year. The Kingfisher is a coveted accolade for models and designers in the Indian world.
Deepika has continued to work with Kingfisher. She has gone on to appear in the 2006 Kingfisher Swimsuit Calender. Perhaps, that helped in nabbing even more modeling trophies. At the 2006 Idea Zee F Award ceremonies, Deepika won trophies in the catergories of Female Model of the Year and Fresh Face of the Year.
Despite all of her strides in the modeling world, Deepika Padukone has one eye cocked on Bollywood. After making an appearance in the wildly popular pop music video, Namm Hai Tera, Deepika will follow in the footsteps of many Indian models and make a debut in the upcoming Bollywood film, Aishwarya. She has also signed on to appear in several other films slated for 2007 releases. She has been romantically linked to Indian model and socialite, Nihar Pandya.