As you may have heard, America's Next Top Model Cycle 13 will feature models who are 5'7" and under. Tyra is doing this in hopes of boosting ratings with a gimmick breaking the barriers for women who are not currently considered in the industry.

“There have been top supermodels in the past that weren’t as tall as the industry demands, like fashion icon Kate Moss,”  Tyra Banks mentioned during casting earlier this year.  “So we are changing up Top Model for Cycle 13 and making it a year for the shorter model!”

Even I, being of a petite stature, think that this is a ridiculous concept. Despite the taboo of the poor self-esteem that the industry is said to inflict upon young insecure women, the fact of the matter remains: models are tall and thin for two reasons:

1. Flattery. Of all body types, tall and thin frames flatter and feature the clothes best. Think about it...its kind of an oxymoron to attempt to drape long flowy fabrics on a short stumpy person. In addition, think about the last time that you (male or female) saw a voluptuous woman...were you really looking at her outfit thinking "Wow, look at the quality of that garment construction?" I didn't think so.
   
2.  Versatility. It is impractical for designers to construct garments of all different sizes based off of who is or may be strutting the catwalk. Unless you're a Naomi Campbell, Chanel Iman, or Kate Moss, the model herself is negligible.

But I digress from my subject. To keep with the theme of  boosting ratings with a gimmick after laying off Paulina Porizkova implementing new and fresh ideas, the show will feature a famous guest judge for every episode. Here is the lineup:

• Chanel Iman - Supermodel (September 9)
• Lauren Conrad - Reality show star turned "designer" (September 16)
• Jaime Rishar - Model (September 23)
• China Chow - Actress (September 30)
• Josie Maran - Model and actress (October 7)
• Jessica White - Model (October 14)
• Kim Kardashian - Sex tape "star" (this is debatable) turned reality star (October 21)
• Kirsty Hume - Model (October 28)
• Marisa Miller - Model (November 4)
• Ann Shoket, Editor-In-Chief of Seventeen (November 11)