ZIMBABWEAN models will this month and next, get the opportunity to become Africa’s hottest property on the catwalk when the much awaited Africa’s Next Top Model starts scouting for girls across the continent.
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The model search and TV show is a franchise of Tyra Banks’ popular America’s Next Top Model which has also taken off in various other countries.
The African version of the show was initiated by Nigerian supermodel Oluchi Onweagba—Orlandi.
In a video drop for Africa’s Next Top Model, Oluchi says she was moved to do the show because of all the girls she has coming up to her asking how to get their modelling careers to take off; “I constantly have people walking up to me and asking how they can get into the field of modelling. That’s the reason why we are doing this show. . . I want to create a top model in eight weeks. I want to take a random girl and take her to Spain. I want to chart the entire process and show Africa how it’s done.”
As for the qualities that are wanted in the girl Oluchi is clear; “I’m looking for raw talent, originality, creativity, passion and humour.” All this, of course, is in addition to the prerequisite height and other physical attributes.
Oluchi will host the show, which will be produced by her New York-based company LuLu Productions under franchise from CBS Studios International’s America’s Next Top Model.
The show will be filmed on location in Cape Town, following the format of America’s Next Top Model, created by African-American model Tyra Banks.
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In 1998 Oluchi was the first winner of the MNet Face of Africa model search at the age of 17. Face of Africa, a continental model talent search ran for a total of about six seasons with three-year break in 2001 and returning in 2005. Zimbabwean models Rosanna Hall and Tholakele Dhlamini did well in the competition, reaching the finals in 2010.
After Face of Africa, Oluchi rose from being a gangly, unkown teenager in Nigeria to an international fashion industry sensation in a rags-to-riches tale that continues to inspire girls across Africa. She has appeared on many magazine covers, including Elle and Italian Vogue. She has also featured in Victoria’s Secret, Sports Illustrated and numerous other magazines and runway shows.
Below are the full dates for the auditions across Africa and aspiring models can participate in the any of the cities listed below:
Mozambique – Maputo July 6 2012 South Africa – Johannesburg July 9 2013 Kenya – Nairobi July 14 2013 Ghana – Accra July 20 2013 Nigeria – Lagos July 23 2013 Angola – Luanda July 28 2013 South Africa – Cape Town August 1 2013 Ivory Coast: To be announced Tanzania: To be announced
