CTV Starts Production on CANADA’s NEXT TOP MODEL and Unveils Expert Panel of Judges
- Gemini Award-winning Reality Series Now Taping in Toronto
- FASHIONTELEVISION’s Jeanne Beker, Supermodel Yasmin Warsame, and Celebrity Photog Mike Ruiz Join Host & Executive Producer Jay Manuel to Judge Finalists for Cycle 3
- Nolé Marin Returns as Creative Director of CNTM’s Photo Shoot Challenges
- 5,000 Hopefuls Applied from Coast to Coast, Just 11 Made the Cut
CTV is one step closer to finding CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL with production now underway in Toronto and a cadre of fashion elite confirmed to mentor Canada’s top contenders. Host and executive producer Jay Manuel leads the panel of judges, which is comprised of FASHIONTELEVISION’s Jeanne Beker, supermodel Yasmin Warsame, and Montreal native and A-list photographer Mike Ruiz. Nolé Marin takes on the role of creative director for the second time. The Gemini Award-winning series is produced by Temple Street Productions in association with CTV.
The first-ever CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL cross-country casting tour wrapped in Toronto on January 23 after previous stops in Vancouver, Edmonton, Halifax, and Montreal. Competition was fierce with a total of 5,000 hopefuls applying via mail, online, and in person during the casting tour. And it’s getting more intense by the minute. Only 11 of the nation’s hottest aspiring models made the cut. Now they’re facing off for a shot at becoming CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL as the series tapes throughout March. Winner of the 2007 Gemini Award for Best Reality Program or Series, the competition debuts later this year on CTV, FashionTelevisionChannel, and Star!.
“The cross country casting tour was just the beginning as CTV takes this reality hit to the next level,†said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. “Fans can look forward to new twists, surprises, and drama. It’s going to be an exciting journey for finalists and fans alike!â€
“CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL is back with a panel of Canadian fashion experts who are all a legitimate part of the international fashion scene,” said Jay Manuel, Host/Executive Producer. “This season, in addition to Jeanne and Yasmin, we’ve added majorly sought after celebrity/fashion photographer Mike Ruiz to the judging panel. His keen eye and sense of aesthetic will be a great addition to this group of industry experts.”
Finalists face the panel of expert judges for no-holds-barred critiques after competing in intense challenges designed to test their modeling abilities. Each episode the panel deliberates to decide who goes home and who stays. Nolé Marin lends his counsel along the way as creative director of the CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL photo shoot challenges
Here’s the fashion 411 on Jeanne Beker, Yasmin Warsame, Mike Ruiz, and Nolé Marin:
Jeanne Beker is no doubt one of the most iconic and influential women in the fashion industry both in Canada and around the world. She has appeared as a member of the expert panel of judges on CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL since Cycle 1. Jeanne is host and segment producer of both FT (the series) and FashionTelevisionChannel, in addition to her style correspondent roles on CTV’s CANADA AM and ETALK. She is the editor-in-chief for FQ Magazine and SIR Magazine, and a regular featured columnist with The Globe and Mail. Jeanne has been the recipient of the Vantage Women of Originality Award, Variety Club Diamond Award, and Crystal Jury Award. She is a published author with her autobiography Jeanne Unbottled: Adventures in High Style, The Big Night Out and Passion for Fashion: Careers in Style.
Yasmin Warsame joins the panel expert of judges for the second time since her CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL debut in Cycle 2. She burst onto the international fashion scene in 2002 and has modeled for the likes of Chanel, Lanvin, Lagerfeld, Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Diane Von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, and Dior. Somalian-born, London-raised and currently residing between Toronto and New York, Yasmin was personally requested and shot by renowned photographer Steven Meisel for Italian Vogue. Yasmin is sought after by fashion magazines worldwide and has landed numerous high-profile campaigns.
Mike Ruiz joins the expert panel of judges for the first time. He’s well known for his high-impact, surreal brand of celebrity and fashion photography. This Montreal native/NYC-based pro has worked with everyone from Dennis Hopper to Lindsay Lohan, The Jonas Brothers, and Zac Efron. His work has appeared in countless American and international magazines such as Vanity Fair, Flaunt, Conde Nast Traveler, Interview, Paper, Citizen K, Dazed and Confused, Arena, Italian Elle, and Spanish and Brazilian editions of Vogue. Mike was a contributor to Dolce and Gabbana’s book Hollywood.
Nolé Marin takes on the role of creative director for CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL for the second time since Cycle 2. His long run as a favourite judge on multiple seasons on AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL and three-time coach of MTV’s #1-hit makeover show MADE is what catapulted him to superstardom. Nolé has worked on numerous high-profile advertising campaigns and he’s a regular contributing editor to Elle, Esquire, Allure and Vogue. Claudia Schiffer, Tommy Hilfiger, Tyra Banks, Hugh Jackman, Heidi Klum, Lenny Kravitz, Alicia Keys, and Kanye West are just a slice of the many celebrities on Nole’s client roster.
The winner of CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL receives a modeling contract with Elmer Olsen Model Management, walks away with a $100,000 beauty contract from P&G Beauty, and is featured in an editorial spread in FASHION Magazine. CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL is presented by Cover Girl, Olay, Perfect 10 by Nice ‘n Easy and Crest Whitestrips.
Up-to-the-minute series info continues to be posted at model.ctv.ca so fans can keep checking in for all the latest updates.
Hosted by Jay Manuel, CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL provides dramatic twists and turns as hopefuls compete to master essential skills and live together, all under the watchful eye of TOP MODEL cameras. One cast member is eliminated each week and the last model standing wins the coveted title of CANADA’S NEXT TOP MODEL.
