Thanks to VH1, our favourite modelling show growing up, "America's Next Top Model," has been given second life, with cycle 23 premiering Dec. 12.
The new season has already received a ton of hype with its new judges — model Ashley Graham (YAAAS), stylist Law Roach (yes, the man behind Zendaya and Celine Dion's outfits) and Paper magazine chief creative officer, Drew Elliot — and host, Rita Ora.
Now, Entertainment Weekly has revealed the 14 contestants, and while there is some racial diversity among them, the cast is seriously lacking in body diversity.
Take a quick glance at the model intros on "ANTM's" Instagram and one thing is obvious: all the girls are slender. Yes, some are slightly curvier than others, but, for the most part, the contestants all fit the traditional "beauty ideals" when it comes to size in the fashion world.
Given this is supposed to be a new era of "ANTM," the lack of body diversity is disappointing, especially with #beautybeyondsize advocate, Graham, at the judging table.
The 29-year-old brunette beauty, who was the first size 16 model to cover Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue, is known for being a body activist and has called for more diversity not only on the runway, but on television, too.
While hosting the Miss USA pageant earlier this year, she used the platform to push pageants to include women of all shapes and sizes.
"Pageants now, I'm hoping, are going to start putting curvy and plus-size women in front of the camera," she said during the telecast.
And considering previous seasons of "ANTM" did feature plus-size contestants (with one, Whitney Thompson, winning season 10), it seems bizarre to "go back to basics" for this new incarnation.
Still, it seems as though "ANTM" and its judges (Ashley included) are pushing for the body confidence, with Graham tweeting a teaser trailer in which she says, "Your body is your fashion."
But one thing's for sure, the show still has all the drama it's known for:
Check out all the contestants below:
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