Asia’s Next Top Model: Q&A with ANTM host Georgina Wilson

Hit reality TV show Asia’s Next Top Model returns for its third season in search of the next big thing to represent Asia in the modeling scene. Season 3 is all about glam and style with Asia’s online fashion destination, Zalora announcing their partnership with FOX International Channel. Superstar model Georgina Wilson will be this season’s new host,  joining creative director Alex Perry and model mentor Joey Mead-King as the panel of judges.

The trio will then guide the model hopefuls through high-stakes catwalk shows, fashion photo shoots and publicity appearances – a rigourous modelling boot camp to discover who among the girls deserves to be on top.

We also have Singapore’s only representative Aimee Rose Cheng-Bradshaw will be competing with 13 other girls to be named Asia’s Next Top Model. The winner of ANTM will be named the 2015 Face of TRESemmé in South East Asia and the Face of Zalora, as well as drive and own a brand-new Subaru XV STI. The Top Model will also be given a cover and fashion spread in Harper’s Bazaar Singapore.

We were privileged enough to attend the exclusive premiere of ANTM Cycle 3 and get a word with the stunning host, Georgina Wilson on her career, the modelling industry and what it takes to be a top model.

Marie France Asia: How has the modelling scene in Asia changed over the years?

Georgina Wilson: Well I think as with any industry in Asia, the internet and social media has just really connected everybody, so things aren’t independent of each other. So what’s happening in, for example, Malaysia, we know about in the Philippines and what we’re doing, people in Thailand are seeing. Everyone’s just a lot more connected now.

MFA: Asia is so diverse, is there a specific look the industry is going for to represent the continent?

G.W.: The Western world understands Asian beauty in a very narrow way, reducing it to a typical Chinese/ Mongolian look, which I love, but Asia has many other types of beauty which I really want the world to see with ANTM. I want to make sure that the beauty of the modern face of Asia is represented in the show.

MFA: To make it as a model, which is more important, height or bone structure?

G.W.: That’s a really tough one but I’m going to have to go with bone structure because there are models like Kate Moss and Cara Delevingne who lack traditional model height but photograph amazingly.  I’d rather have someone who’s shorter but has amazing bone structure, than someone who’s taller but lacking in that.

MFA: Tell us more about your role as host and what it means to you

G.W.: It’s one of the biggest things I’ve done in my career and it’s been such a huge responsibility and while I’m already used to having the responsibility as a celebrity, it’s different because you’re mentoring these girls and you want to make sure you can tell them enough about your experience so they can become the best they can be. It’s been an amazing journey.

MFA: So what can we expect from ANTM Cycle 3?

G.W.: Well this season is just gonna be a lot more high fashion than the rest. We have designers and photographers from all around the world coming to visit. It’s an amazing insight into the industry and if you don’t know it, you will by the end of the show, and if you do know it, you’ll be proud that you’re seeing Asia get together to unite forces. There’s  a lot more fashion and unique types of drama. The girls are seasoned models so they know what they’re doing, so it’s a different type of fight.

MFA: Any advice for aspiring models hoping to join the show next season?

G.W.: Height and cheekbones! All jokes aside, to be a successful model nowadays, you need to have a lot more than just that. How you look is just the basic, but what you can evolve yourself to and what you stand for and how interesting your life is – that’s what people want to know more about. You shouldn’t give up everything else just because you want to be a model.

Season 3 of Asia’s Next Top Model premieres on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at 8:45 PM in Singapore.

Karen George