Project Runway + ANTM = Reality Metaverse

antm danielle at project runway.jpg Last night, after getting heated watching the debate, we switched our TiVo to enjoy a lighter TV event - the Project Runway finale. Between rooting for Leanne and wondering why the hell Kenley had leaves stuck in her hair, we noticed something else - three America’s Next Top Model alumni.

Naima, Bianca and Danielle all made anonymous guest appearances on the runway. But that’s not all: Do you remember that Project Runway’s Season 4 finale runway included another ANTM trio? Bianca, Danielle - but this time Jaslene. And, Entertainment Weekly caught that another reality TV show model contestant - Shannon from Make Me A Supermodel (ANTM’s younger, low-budget cousin) - also walked the show.

Is there some kind of sorority for all reality TV models? Or could all this crossover be coincidence / a lack of budget / cross show promotion that somehow leaves out the promoting part?

Also, since Project Runway actually includes a model competition, wouldn’t it make more sense to have all the competing models walk the shows as a sort of consolation prize?

So much to think over..

—HAYLEY PHELAN

posted by guest

Oct 16, 2008 3:11PM

Lest we forget these are reality stars/rejects, yes, but they also become working models after their show's/season's hype dies down. Bianca and Danielle are obv. drawn from the same pool of go-see models if they've been on multiple seasons' finales. Shannon is based in New York, and as for Jaslene, anyone who was at Fashion Week in September knows she's one of the hardest working models in New York. I spoke to her backstage at Custo Barcelona the Thursday of FW and she said she had been booked solid.

Oct 16, 2008 3:26PM

Lisa from from ANTM (she was from the same cycle as Bianca) was also on the show and walked for Korto.

Oct 16, 2008 3:52PM

too bad we couldn't see Jerell's line as well

Oct 16, 2008 4:39PM

you can also see the former ANTM's models during LA Fash week b/c they're desperate for models. it's so sad

Oct 16, 2008 4:47PM

This HASN'T AIRED IN CANADA YET PLEASE DON'T SPOIL THE WHOLE SEASON FOR ME!
Geez...

Oct 17, 2008 12:31PM

do not understand the leanne,"petal" thing. that shits ugly and boring. kenly's collection had no consistency or rigor, all copies of something. i thought korto had the best collection

Oct 17, 2008 1:05PM

Considering how low budget and tacky ANTM is, I'd say Make me a Supermodel is the higher budget show, with much better photo shoots.

posted by nogobelieve

Oct 17, 2008 1:29PM

I agree 100%. I think ANTM is just a joke. Make me a Supermodel seems to focus more on fashion and less on celebrity.

posted by WithLove

Oct 18, 2008 2:55PM

TO GUEST 3:52 if you go to nymag.com/daily/fashion and look up project runway you can see everyone's collection from Jerrel, Suede, that corny looking guy, Leanne, etc...

IMO suede had the tackiest collection i've seen. Its a mystery how he got so far in the competion with his subpar designs and sewing skills.

Oct 19, 2008 9:14AM

It's always a weird moment when Heidi ask the winner to "pick a model". It's like, we're focused on the designers and fashion and all of a sudden we're asked to care about the models.

Which we then never hear from again for the rest of the episode. It seems like a useless element of the show.

Oct 20, 2008 8:48AM

you scratch my back...

posted by Fonssagrives24

Jun 01, 2009 2:21AM

The funny thing about ANTM winners is that they get the crappiest jobs! Hahaha. I would assume the label, top model, would mean a person recieves job offers from haute couture houses in Paris not commercial labels like Stella McCartney and Eve *snickers*.