Since Tyra Banks premiered America’s Next Top Model ten years ago, we’ve seen a proliferation of Top Model shows in countries such as Bulgaria, Russia, Finland, and the UK. The newest international Top Model is Africa’s Next Top Model, hosted by Oluchi Onweagba.
Vogue Italia
Vogue Italia
Pop Magazine
Surface Magazine
Victoria’s Secret campaign
Sports Illustrated swim
Arise Magazine
i-D Magazine
Elle South Africa
Oluchi is 33 years old and from Nigeria. She started modelling at 17 and is currently based out of New York with DNA. Versitile and ageless, Oluchi has done everything from the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show to the covers of i-D and Italian Vogue.
Africa’s Next Top Model airs on M-Net across the continent but can be easily streamed online for those of us in North America, Europe, and Asia.
The first episode is much like every other international cycle, resplendent with tears and egos and attitudes. But the show features women from several African countries, meaning that the language and cultural barriers prompt drama right from the beginning.
Being cast on a Top Model show is almost always a death sentence to a modelling career. But with a limited audience outside of Africa, perhaps this won’t mean instant overexposure for the contestants.
There are some great faces in the cast, and we wish them all the best.
