Africa's Next Top Model (cycle 1)

Africa's Next Top Model (cycle 1)

Cycle 1 cast of Africa's Next Top Model
Country of origin South Africa
No. of episodes 10
Release
Original network M-net Africa Magic
Original release November 10, 2013 – January 12, 2014

Africa's Next Top Model, cycle 1 is the first installment of a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of Africa's Next Top Model along with the chance to begin their career in the modeling industry. The show features aspiring models from the entire African continent.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

The winner of the competition was 21-year-old Aamito Lagum, representing the nation of Uganda. As her prizes she received a 1-year modeling contract with New York-based modelling agency DNA Model Management, a product endorsement deal with P&G, a 1-year contract as an ambassador for South African Tourism, SNAPP, Etisalat, Verve, and a cash prize of 50,000 USD. In addition to this, she also won the opportunity to appear in a spread for Elle South Africa for having received best picture in episode 9.

Series summary

Auditions

Casting calls and auditions were held in several countries and on different dates, listed below:

After the selection process, 12 models were chosen to participate in the competition.[8]

Requirements

All applicants were required to be between 18–27 years old at the time they auditioned or applied for the show. Additional requirements stated that if a model was being represented by a modeling agency at the time she applied, she had to terminate that representation prior. Contestants from any country in Africa were encouraged to apply. The minimum height requirement was 170 cm, or 5'7.[9]

International destination

The international destination for the season was New York City.[10]

Contestants

(ages stated are at start of contest)[8][11]

CountryContestantAgeOutcome
 Kenya Steffi Reti 20 Eliminated in Episode 2
 Tunisia Marwa Faiza 22
 Mozambique Safira Mariquele 20 Eliminated in Episode 3
 Nigeria Omowunmi Wanyonyi 23 Eliminated in Episode 4
 South Africa Rhulani Kubayi 20 Eliminated in Episode 5
 Nigeria Joyce Chidebe 24 Eliminated in Episode 6
 South Africa Michelle Allen 22 Eliminated in Episode 7
 Ghana Roselyn Ashkar 22 Eliminated in Episode 8
 South Africa Cheandre van Blerk 20
 Nigeria Opeyemi Awoyemi 25 Runner-up
 Angola Michaela Pinto 21
 Uganda Aamito Lagum 20 Winner

Episode summaries

Episode 1

First aired November 10, 2013

Supermodel Oluchi Onweagba heads back to the motherland in her search to find Africa's Next Top Model. Her journey takes her to Kenya in the East, Ghana, and her birthplace, Nigeria in the West. She proceeds to travel to Mozambique, Angola, and ultimately South Africa. From the thousands of girls, she chooses the twelve radiant beauties who will move into the model home in Cape Town to compete for the title of Africa's Next Model along with the lucrative modeling contract that will launch one of their careers.

Episode 2

First aired November 17, 2013

The final twelve are given the news that only ten of them will continue on in the competition after their first photo shoot challenge; shooting for the opening sequence of Africa's Next Top Model. Prior to the shoot, the models receive their make-overs. Aamito snatches the very first best picture of the season at panel, while Cheandre, Marwa, Omowunmi, and Steffi find their dreams at the hands of Oluchi Onweagba. Cheandre and Omowunmi are saved and Marwa and Steffi are sent home.

Episode 3

First aired November 24, 2013

The ten remaining girls are sent to Johannesburg for a charity fashion show presented by the Mental Health Organisation of South Africa. They are later sent to fittings followed by rehearsals, where it is told that the girls will be split into two groups; Group A and Group B. The latter will contain the opener and closer of the show, both of whom will also be given the opportunity to walk with professional models. Rhulani's inexperience causes her to struggle during the rehearsals, while Safira finds herself having to be escorted backstage after breaking down. Cheandre and Opeyemi impress the director and are selected to open and close the Thula Sindi show, leaving the other girls disappointed.

Cheandre impresses the most with her catwalk skills. Oluchi believes that some of the girls are performing better than the professional models. Despite the nerves of some of the girls, particularly Rhulani, they manage to impress the designer and the director.

At judging, the models are evaluated on their walks as well as a photo that was snapped of them while they walked. Cheandre, Michelle and Michaela impress the judges with their walks. Rhulani is praised due to her ability to learn how to walk despite being a rookie. Safira and Roselyn disappoint the judges with their lackluster photos and walks. They are also critiqued due to their lack of versatility. Cheandre is deemed the best performer of the week, while Safira and Roselyn are placed in the bottom two. Oluchi reveals that the judges saw more versatility in Roselyn, and in a very emotional elimination, Safira is sent home.

Episode 4

First aired December 1, 2013

Each contestant must pick numbers at random. They later receive mail alluding to the fact that their next challenge will involve representing a body care brand. On the day of the shoot, it is revealed that each of the numbers that had been picked the previous day corresponds with one of nine different boxes, all of which contain a product from a Procter & Gamble brand. The pressure is on after the models are told that a representative of P&G will be there to see them perform.

Model P&G Brand
Aamito
Joyce
Always
Michelle
Omowunmi
Ariel
Michaela
Gillette Venus
Cheandre
Safeguard
Opeyemi
Rhulani
Olay
Roselyn
Oral-B

Cheandre, Joyce, Michelle, Rhulani, and Roselyn all receive great feedback from judge Remi Adetiba, who also serves as their photographer. Aamito cries once more on set, while Michaela, Omowunmi both sruggle with their nerves, afraid that the judges will be less than impressed with their results from the shoot.

With the help of Cheandre, Aamito attempts to rid her bedroom of the evil forces she believes are responsible for having eliminated all three of her roommates.

At panel, Joyce is deemed as the best performer. Despite performing well, Opeyemi's styling during the shoot is criticized by the majority of the judges. She, along with Omowunmi, both find themselves in the bottom two. The potential the judges see in Opeyemi saves her, while Omowunmi's inconsistency sees her becoming the fourth contestant to be evicted from the competition.

Episode 5

First aired December 8, 2013

The West African girls vent their frustrations as they feel Rhulani is being given a pass due to her inexperience, while Rhulani herself attacks Michelle for being fake. Soon, the girls are taken to the top of Cape Town's own Table Mountain, where they are told by Oluchi to absorb the beauty atop the mountain for their next shoot; a promotional campaign for South Africa Tourism. For the shoot, the models wear headdresses made by master florist Alwijn Burger of blomboy from fynbos, the indigenous flora found around Cape Town, as the girls pose in front of photographer Jonathan Taylor's lens.

Contending with not just the mammoth head pieces, but brightly colored paints and powders, some girls do better than others. In the end, Opeyemi, shaken after last week's near-elimination, emerges as the unanimous favorite at judging. Meanwhile, South Africans Cheandre and Rhulani are at risk of elimination. In the end, Rhulani's overall performances fail to keep her in the competition.

Episode 6

First aired December 15, 2013

After an intense series of events, the girls are understandably wary of the next Oluchi Mail. To their surprise, it is an invitation to explore the beauty of Cape Town. They hit the lovely Camps Bay beach, take in the sights atop a double-decker bus, and enjoy the famed culinary delights of Cape Town. Later, the girls are all able to call a loved one in the Etisalat diary room.

After this full day of unwinding, the girls are faced with their most challenging photo shoot yet: a township couture-themed ad for cellular phone network Etisalat. They also model the latest collection from iconic South African fashion designer Marianne Fassler, while photographer Freddie Child-Villiers had them wrangle a pair of goats for the shoot.

Before Michelle, who is the first girl to shoot, begins her session, a brief fight ensues between the villagers and the show's team. After the situation is resolved, the shoot continues on as usual. Most of the models struggle to remain balanced with their heels on the rugged terrain. Despite having the advantage of wearing flats instead of heels, Joyce fails to create more dynamic poses.

At panel, Roselyn and Aamito are given the most positive feedback, while Joyce is given the worst. Cheandre, Michelle, and Opeyemi all receive mixed feedback. Oluchi and Remi question Michaela's desire to continue in the competition, as she has expressed her desire to leave on numerous occasions.

In the end, Joyce is eliminated, leaving Opeyemi as the only Nigerian in the house.

Episode 7

First aired December 22, 2013

After receiving some tough love from Oluchi during last week's elimination, Michaela gets a bit of tenderness from the model in a one-on-one session. Ready to take on the next challenge, she joins the girls at Cape Town's historic Castle of Good Hope for their next challenge shoot. To their surprise, not only will they be shooting in oversized men's suits from South African fashion and lifestyle giant Craig Port, they will be shot by resident judge Josie Borain. The goal of the shoot is to create and advertisement for Africa's Verve credit card.

After a giggly introduction to their male model co-star Dave Kabamba, the girls get started shooting in the castle. Aamito and Opeyemi receive the most praise, seemingly able to dominate their costar as the brief for Verve demanded. Michelle and Roselyn land in the bottom two. Despite having delivered what the judges consider to be her best photograph yet, Michelle is eliminated for having coasted throughout the competition.

Episode 8

First aired December 29, 2013

After dancing up a storm with Oluchi, the girls receive the brief for their next shoot - a dramatic editorial wearing David Tlale gowns.

As they enter the dark, narrow tunnel that becomes their shoot location, some girls handle the different frights better than others. All of the girls are shocked by how quickly photographer Ross Garrett shoots through their allotted thirty frames. To add to an already harrowing experience, their next Oluchi Mail surprises them with the news that not one, but two girls will be going home.

After facing the judges, joined by designer David Tlale, Aamito emerges victorious once again. Meanwhile, the judges notice a new resolve in Michaela. Cheandre, Opeyemi, and Roselyn are called forward as the bottom three. Oluchi then reveals that the judges have decided to give Opeyemi another chance. Thus, it is the end of the road for South Africa's Cheandre and Ghana's Roselyn, as they are sent packing.

Episode 9

First aired January 5, 2014

After the double elimination during the previous episode, the final three girls help Oluchi give back as she speaks to an audience of young girls at the Phandulwazi High School in Eastern Cape. The girls later receive an Oluchi Mail that hints at a water challenge.

For the shoot, the models must pose inside of the freezing pool outside of their home. The brief requires them to be poised, ethereal water nymphs in an advertorial for Snapp, shot by renowned underwater photographer Ilse Moore. While they manage to overcome the elements for the shoot, they will still be judged on their facial expressions, body manipulation, and on the way they feature the garment.

At panel, editor of Elle Magazine South Africa, Jackie Burger, sits as the guest judge. Oluchi announces that the model who receives best picture will be featured in a fashion editorial in Elle South Africa. All the girls receive praise for executing under such unforgiving conditions, and they are judged not just from their pictures during the shoot, but on their entire portfolios.

In the end, Aamito and Opeyemi are declared finalists. In a surprising twist, Oluchi reveals that Michaela will also be joining the other two models for the season finale. She also announces that the remainder of the competition will take place in New York City.

Episode 10

First aired January 12, 2014

After an emotional, nine-week roller coaster, the final three are whisked away to New York City, where they have to impress the high powered agents at one of the world's top agencies: DNA Model Management. In the end, Aamito from Uganda reigns supreme, and she is declared the first ever Africa's Next Top Model.

Summaries

Call-out order

OrderEpisodes
2345678910
1 AamitoCheandre JoyceOpeyemiRoselynAamitoAamitoAamitoAamito
2 MichaelaRhulaniCheandreJoyceAamitoOpeyemiMichaelaOpeyemiMichaela
Opeyemi
3 OpeyemiMichelleRhulaniRoselynOpeyemiCheandreOpeyemiMichaela
4 SafiraJoyceRoselynMichaelaMichelleMichaelaCheandre
Roselyn
5 RoselynOmowunmiMichaelaMichelleCheandreRoselyn
6 RhulaniMichaelaMichelleAamitoMichaela Michelle
7 MichelleAamitoAamitoCheandre Joyce
8 JoyceOpeyemiOpeyemiRhulani
9 Cheandre
Omowunmi		RoselynOmowunmi
10 Safira
11 Marwa
Steffi
12
     The contestant was eliminated
     The contestant was part of a non-elimination bottom two
     The contestant won the competition

Photo shoot guide

Makeovers

Judges

Other cast members

References

External links

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