‘Model City’ Explores Brothers on the Catwalk
Date: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 6:17 am
By: Tonya Pendleton, BlackAmericaWeb.com
If you’re over the girl drama on “America’s Next Top Model,” then you may want to take a look at a less-covered side of the modeling biz – the male models. Not to say that men don’t have drama – we all saw that with the Day 26 guys on MTV’s “Making Of the Band” – but male models are far less respected than female models, and their careers are less lucrative. And if you’re a black male model, you can figure that your opportunities are even still harder to come by.
The new Centric docu-series, “Model City,” aims to take a look at the world of male modeling from the point of view of some of the guys vying for the few slots available to them.
“Model City” introduces us to four upcoming models from Red, a New York City modeling agency that represents several men and women of color. The show takes a behind-the-scenes look at four model’s lives, loves and careers in New York City. It starts on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. and runs for eight episodes.
Here’s a look at the four characters, along with their potential drama quotient based on a scale fom one to 10.
IBRAHIM
Blowing the stereotype that male models are “dumb” out of the water, Ibrahim is a multi-talented artist/painter/martial arts master, who is also a top black male model. Despite his sexy looks which keep him booked on fashion campaigns and runways, he’s a self-described “intellectual philosopher,” who is constantly questioning life’s greatest mysteries. Raised in the Nation of Islam, Ibrahim now lives in an “artist’s collective” commune style building in Brooklyn with his Panamanian fashion designer/nanny girlfriend. When not painting in his studio, Ibrahim paints live at events around the city and is currently prepping for his first solo art show. Viewers see he tends to speak his mind; opinionated and profound, Ibrahim is one of kind.
DRAMA QUOTIENT: Six. Ibrahim has a lot going for him, but that could mean that he’ll bring the drama with the other guys. So his drama quotient might be low, but on the other hand; the other guys might find him to be a problem.
NELSON
A popular model on the brink of superstardom, Nelson is one of the top Latin models in the business today. When fashion companies need a hot, edgy, urban look to be the face of their brand, they seek out Nelson for editorial and campaign bookings. Living in Westchester with a house full of roommates, Nelson goes into the city daily to also work as a hotel concierge to make ends meet. Currently dating an older woman who wants to take their relationship to a more serious level, Nelson is having a hard time deciding on whether or not to make a commitment. Can this party boy player settle down and give his all to one woman or will his need for variety be the spark that sends his relationship up in flames? Nelson definitely has a lot to handle, but at least we know he will look good handling it.
DRAMA QUOTIENT: Eight. Hmmm … dating an older woman and trying to figure out a whether to make a commitment? Sounds like the makings of drama to us.
WENDELL
Raised in Harlem, 22-year-old Wendell is currently the industry’s “model of the moment” and has the fashion world buzzing. Discovered by Red NYC, he’s now a sought-after model who walks Europe’s runway shows for the likes of Hermes, Thierry Mugler and Kris Von Assche, while his face can be spotted in high profile campaigns in the States and abroad. Sexy and charismatic, Wendell possesses a confidence bordering on arrogance, and often boasts of being “the best,” with the credentials to back it up. Dating a Victoria’s Secret model and jetting off to Paris at a moment’s notice is how this supermodel spends his time. Wendell also works hard to build his growing brand, both on and off the runway. With an interest in acting, this model is about taking his game to the next level. Possessing a quick wit, Wendell is not afraid to speak his mind, and you never know what to expect from him.
DRAMA QUOTIENT: Five. Wendell sounds like a brother who’s on his hustle, so his drama quotient should be relatively low. But on the other hand, “confidence bordering on arrogance” could mean problems.
ZERIC
Openly gay and proud, Zeric is an established working model who just recently signed with Red. Single and happily dating, Zeric is completely comfortable with his sexual orientation and has been out to friends and family for years. Originally from New York, Zeric has been modeling for several years and considers his move to Red to be the career boost he needs to compete among model’s elite. He doesn’t consider himself a gay male model, just a male model. Not interested in living his life on the down low, Zeric’s courage in being out and proud while existing within the sometimes homophobic African-American and Latin communities often takes a lot of courage and self-acceptance.
DRAMA QUOTIENT: Nine. As an openly gay man of color, Zeric’s drama quotient could be high because of the problems inherent with that. But on the other hand, the fact that he’s open and honest about who he is could take the drama quotient way down.
