america s most smartest model

I once accompanied a friend to a modeling audition. As I sat in the hall, watching the prospective models (most of them were naive high school students) be walked to the elevator (apparently models can't be trusted to find such things on their own), and getting the same smarmy spiel from the agency employees, I tried to get some reading done. At the time, I was reading The Emperor of Ocean Park, not super light reading, but it's not like I was sitting there with a volume of Proust. No fewer than four different people commented: "Wow! That is a BIG book." Apparently, someone reading something other than Cosmo Girl is a rarity in the modeling world.

Some of America's Next Top Model's most amusing moments have shown us the less-than-stellar intellectual prowess of the model hopefuls (like the challenge where none of the girls could read the word "magenta" from the teleprompter, or the girl who was so proud of having the same tattoo as Angelina Jolie, except hers was in English while Angelina's is in Latin). VH1's reality division can always be relied on to come up with entertaining concepts for reality shows. America's Most Smartest Model has a promising twist on the competition format; model hopefuls will participate in modeling challenges and challenges that test their intelligence.

Smartest Model will feature seven male and seven female affectionately referred to as "himbos" and "bimbos" who live together as they compete. Many cast members have reasonably impressive modeling and academic histories; the group includes one valedictorian and several college graduates with respectable GPAs. It premieres Sunday, October 7 at 9 pm.



As Derek Zoolander so eloquently put it, "I'm pretty sure there's a lot more to life than being really, really, good looking. And I plan on finding out what that is." While models may have gained a reputation for lacking in brains what they overcompensate for in beauty, a new show on VH1, "America's Most Smartest Model," pokes very smart fun at the stereotype. Eighteen aspiring mannequins must prove their brilliance to hosts Ben Stein and Mary Alice Stephenson (at left) through a series of stimulating challenges. According to Stephenson, a celebrity stylist and fashion consultant, "you can be beautiful and smart! I want to tell all of these young girls, reality TV fans, it's okay to use your head." Stephenson points to some of the savviest and most entrepreneurial models of the last decade as evidence, including Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, and Iman. "They've really created a brand, gone beyond just being a successful model on the runway," she said. "You only have a limited amount of time as a model, and you really have to make the most of that." In that spirit, we present 10 models who are putting Zoolander to shame with their wit, wisdom, and do-gooder endeavors.
America's Most Smartest Model begins tonight, and I catch up with the show's host, Mary Alice Stephenson, at VH1's Save the Music 10th Anniversary Gala.

She tells me Americans generally believe beauty and brains don't belong together, judging by party girls like Kate Moss, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan. "All these girls are out of control, focusing on drinking and partying, and not doing things that are important to do with the fame they have," she tells me.

But what supermodels double as good role models? "Heidi Klum is smart, she's a great mom, she's a great businesswoman. She does a lot of charity and gives back. What you see on Project Runway is the tip of the iceberg. She runs a huge business. She has a lot of different entities and jewelry lines going on all over the world."

Mary also gives a shout-out to Tyra Banks. "She found her voice. She understood how to take a moment in fashion and turn it into an empire. She knows what people and kids want. She's also done such good in the world. Tyra gives back with her girls camp."

Fascinating fact: "Gisele has a huge real estate business in Brazil." Some things make me proud to be an American. Seeing Miss Teen South Carolina demonstrate the state of education in the United States. Hearing our President assure us that we're "pertecded from nuculer war." And knowing that on October 7, citizens across the country will sit down with their Cheetos and Miller Lite to watch America's Most Smartest Model on VH1.



Yes, VH1 has nobly taken on the cause of proving that beautiful people can be smart. But instead of profiling beauties like Yale magna cum laude grad Jodie Foster or Harvard honors grad Natalie Portman, here's the plan.

"In every episode, the 'himbos' and 'bimbos' will face challenges that put both their overall intelligence and their beauty to the test. The individual or team that wins will be safe, the loser(s) will face elimination." The winner takes home $100,000 and "the coveted title of 'America's Most Smartest Model.'" Now that's something to put on a resume.

Let's look at some of the candidates for the esteemed honor, along with their unique qualifications.

Mandy Lynn has half a million friends on MySpace, has modeled for Playboy and believes she's a pretty good speller. She certainly looks like a, um, speller.



Jamie Everett was Case No. 24 Model on Deal or No Deal and believes her biggest asset is her sexy back. Unless she has two huge humps on her back, I kinda doubt it.



Rachel Myers has worked for Trashy Lingerie, and her signature modeling move is to place her hands on her hips. Damn, she's good.



Sure, I admit that I might take a peek for the sheer eye candy of it all ― but Ben Stein is one of the hosts. You know, the Ben Stein whose comments on the Mark Foley scandal included, "I hope it won't come as a surprise to anyone that a big part of male homosexual behavior is interest in young boys." America's Most Smartest, I think we have a winner.