Smoking ban on America's Next Top Model
By vivasuzi
@vivasuzi (4127)
United States
October 3, 2007 7:05pm CST
So this season, Tyra stepped up to the plate for young girls and is forcing her contestants to be role models as they are meant to be. Models were told after the first photo shoot that they will not be allowed to smoke on camera. Does that mean they can still smoke off camera? I guess so.
What do you think about this? A lot of people on reality TV seem to smoke. I see it on Big Brother, previous seasons of Top Model, Real World, almost every reality show. I think it's great that Tyra is taking a stand and not allowing the girls to smoke. They shouldn't be smoking anyway b/c it will ruin their model looks as they get older!
Do you agree or do you think it's none of Tyra's business? Do you think young girls are affected by what these models do on TV?
5 people like this
12 responses
@raychill (6525)
• United States
4 Oct 07
I don't watch it. Nor do I like it. However, I read something a while back that the Disney company was no longer going to have smoking in any of their movies (Remember, Disney owns MGM and a few other things besides just Disney names)... I don't really think it'll make a difference.
I think people will smoke whether they see someone else doing it or not. If you want to do it, you'll do it.
3 people like this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
5 Oct 07
I think people in general will smoke regardless of what they show on TV. However on this show Tyra knows a lot of young girls watch. So do you think that making this ban such a big deal on her show will convince young girls not to start the nasty habit? I'm not sure but I think that not seeing it may help them avoid smoking. In the past seasons, girls were smoking constantly and it made it seem like you had to smoke to be a model.
1 person likes this
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
15 Oct 07
Why do you think people smoke then? There's nothing natural or appealing about putting a rolled up piece of paper in your mouth and setting it on fire. People smoke because they see others do it or because they think it will make them look cool or tough.
I'm not saying they go with direct peer pressure like the "Everyone else is doing it" crap on after-school specials, but I don't see people as just one day saying "I want to waste money on a bad, smelly habit that will shorten my life and do nothing for me".
1 person likes this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Definitely! I really never understood the whole "peer Pressure" thing. I mean... really you're gonna do something just cause some kid said "hey want a drag?" Uh... No! I could see giving in if someone said "if you don't take a drag I will shoot you in the head", but that isn't what happens on average.
I'm glad someone else is like me and agrees and doesn't do things just cause everyone else is :)
1 person likes this
@meemingNEW (2226)
• Philippines
4 Oct 07
Definitely agree! With the word "model" , it just doesn't mean as to be a ramp model but also a role model.. I really am a fan of Tyra Banks and I salute her for what she is doing. Even though she's already rich, she is still humble and down to earth. And not to forget, she's definitely a role model. I hope the models for ANTM will follow what Tyra says and be both a ramp and role model.. on or off cams.
3 people like this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
5 Oct 07
Yes I hope they will to, I'm just afraid they will keep smoking in hiding and not actually quit. Tyra is a good role model although she does say and do some stupid things sometimes (and they laugh about it on Talk Soup and shows like that). However as much as people make fun of her, I think she is genuinely a nice person who is looking out for others.
@meemingNEW (2226)
• Philippines
6 Oct 07
Yeah. She do utter some appropriate words at times. But hey, atleast she is trying to be someone that people can look up to. and she is for me. Same as you, I hope the models would not disobey the smoking ban.. if they do disobey, I just hope Tyra will do something about it.
@AmbiePam (92800)
• United States
4 Oct 07
It's Tyra's show so I don't have a problem if she wants to enforce that. But I think if she is going to go there, she needs to go the whole way, and not let them smoke period. And there would be nothing wrong with that. It is harmful on the health of the non smokers, so she'd be doing all of them a favor. Besides that, if they had a problem with it, they can always leave. No one from that show has made it big anyway, so they really wouldn't be missing much.
3 people like this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
5 Oct 07
I just said that in a reply a second ago :) I wish she would tell them all they have to QUIT if they want to win.
It's true, none of them make it huge. They aren't really Top Models, they are just "models". I mean, everyone knows Tyra, and other real Supermodels. I've watched the show and yet I still don't always remember/recognize the winners!
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
4 Oct 07
I am used to smokers being second classed citizens so I don't have a huge problem with the rule.I think the models that smoke are smoking off camera.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
6 Oct 07
I agree. There should be a place where smokers can smoke. Somewhere non smokers don't have to breath it in. I like the idea of a smokers lounge.It could be another room that is attached to buildings where they can smoke.It would be ventilated so well that it wouldn't be smoke filled.That way they are not outside and they are somewhere a non smoker would ever go.They can smoke and non smokers don't breath it in.
1 person likes this
@ZimaMcHotpants (63)
• United States
4 Oct 07
It is every much the show's right to ban them from smoking, on or off camera. The girls have an amazing opportunity at their fingertips, and if they are willing to give it up to get a puff, then so be it. It just weeds out the ones who don't really want it. It is a foul habit, and maybe the smokers on the show can kick it for good this way.
3 people like this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
5 Oct 07
Yeah I think that Tyra is hoping any smokers will quit for good, but I have a feeling they will not. Instead they will just hide it and then after the show is over they will get right back into it. I wish I knew who on the current show was a smoker so I could see what happens.
@maybebaby (1230)
• Canada
4 Oct 07
I agree with the smoking ban on the show. It's aamzing what kids pick up from watching people they idolize and so many of them want to be just like those girls on the show. I think smoking has been glamorized enough. I personally don't care what they do off camera but promoting smoking is not responsible when it's a show that young kids watch so they can be like the contestants. I think Tyra made a great decision and has gained respect for it.
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
5 Oct 07
Glad we agree :) I can't imagine them showing contestants smoking on American Idol, but as far as Top Model, they used to always be outside smoking. I wonder if the girls will actually quit or if they will just take it to the "smoking area" or whatever Tyra said. I almost wish Tyra would have said they all have to QUIT smoking! But, she probably doesn't want to deal with the addicts.
@nangel78 (1454)
• United States
4 Oct 07
I have seen this show, but do not watch it on a regular basis. I do not have a problem with the smoking ban. These women are serving as role models and should live a healthy life style other than one that condones smoking as a way to keep weight off.
@kareng (59206)
• United States
6 Oct 11
I think it is a wonderful direction Tyra Banks took in asking or requiring that the girls do not smoke during production of Top Model. Young girls do look up to these girls and dream about being a model or being on Top Model one day. So, yes, they are indeed role models.
It has been proven that smoking causes premature aging and dries out the skin which would also cause wrinkles earlier in life. I say kudos to Tyra!
1 person likes this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
6 Oct 11
Yes I think a lot of models smoke because of the belief it keeps them thin. Sounds like they should focus on their diet rather than smoking! I never understood why so many models smoke as it just means they will need more makeup and surgery in the future to make up for it.
If your looks are what you make money on, you would think you would protect them as best as you can.
@cefaz_21 (2596)
• Philippines
4 Oct 07
I agree with Tyra,anyways, it her show..and she can do what she wants good thing she chooses to do at least right things on the show,besides helping these girls become ramp model..she's also helping them have a good health in a way.
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
4 Oct 07
Hi,
I think it is one of good quality enhancing not only health is also taken care as for those model who has long term sponsors. Hope it is better dicision as many may take these models in their life and coming models too do not start smoking as part of style of their role model if any.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72141)
• United States
8 Jan 11
I think thats a really good idea for the models not to be able to smoke while on camera. I think they are pretty much always on camera arent they? Maybe it will encourage the models to quit smoking. Maybe it will give them that incentive but if not at least all the young girls wont be sitting home watching the models smoking thinking how cool they look and want to act like them.
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
6 Oct 11
The show is only an hour so I'm sure they have plenty of time to get their smoking on outside of regularly taped events. They must have had an outdoor smoking area that was off-camera where they could only go for a short time. This was years ago and now I don't really notice if they have smokers on their show or not. I should pay attention to that next time I watch :)
@yellowhipon (793)
• Philippines
25 Apr 08
I agree with tyra's decision. I mean the girls are under a contract when they joined the show so they have to follow to that rule. And its a god thing coz many young girls are watching the show and seeing your idol smoking isnt so inspiring.
1 person likes this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
25 Apr 08
Yep I agree. Even if Tyra were to say over and over that smoking stinks, young girls would see the models smoking and think it's cool. Especially with these models being taken to such nice places and doing such fun jobs, young girls would do whatever it takes to be like them.
