A media release from Citytv:

Fabulous! Fierce! Ready To Take On The World!!

“Canada’s Next Top Model” With Host Jay Manuel Premieres Wednesday, May 30th at 8:00pm on Citytv

Four experts, ten girls and nine shattered dreams! “Canada’s Next Top Model” with Host Jay Manuel premieres tomorrow, Wednesday, May 30th at 8:00pm ET/PT on Citytv stations across Canada.

Bigger and better than ever, “Canada’s Next Top Model” returns after a highly successful season last summer. Cycle 2 brings tougher challenges, higher expectations and more surprises as the claws come out and the stilettos pound the runway! Under the watchful eye of the judging panel, including Host/Executive Producer Jay Manuel, “FT-FashionTelevision’s” Jeanne Beker, Supermodel Yasmin Warsame, Celebrity Photographer Paul Alexander and Creative Director Nole Marin, the girls hone their inner fashionistas while vying for the title of “Canada’s Next Top Model”.

Don’t miss the exciting season premiere of “Canada’s Next Top Model”, Cycle 2 Wednesday, May 30th at 8:00pm ET/PT on Citytv.

For more information on “Canada’s Next Top Model”, log on to www.citytv.com/cntm.

Alex Strachan of CanWest News Service talks to Jay Manuel:

• Power to the models: Host of Canada’s Next Top Model sees his role as a nurturer of beautiful women
  “One of the reasons I got into this business was for the empowerment of women,” Manuel said. “I think a lot of people will say, ‘Oh, that’s nonsense; it’s all about fashion,’ but for me it was really about the empowering, nurturing side of it. There are not enough men out there who empower women, and I see that as a really important role for Top Model, and for me especially.”

Addi Stewart of Dose talks to Jay Manuel:

• Jay Manuel: The Eye of the Beholder
  “Let’s not just produce a show for just Canada because I think it’s insulting as a Canadian myself,” he says. “We can compete. [Canada’s Next Top Model] really demonstrates that there is amazing talent here. Basically, I highlighted this many times throughout the show.”

From Barrett Hooper of Now Toronto:

• Canada’s next top ego: Top Model host Jay Manuel has no problem pushing his own brand
  “Jay Manuel has become a brand. He refers to the Jay brand several times when we meet for an interview across the street from the CHUM building. ‘One of the things I teach the girls is that there’s Jay the brand and then there’s Jay; you don’t want it to over-inflate who you are.’ Riiiight. “

From Bernadette Morra of the Toronto Star:

• He’s raising eyebrows
  “‘In some of my contracts I’m not allowed to go back to my natural [hair] colour,’ Manuel explained. ‘It’s become my calling card.”

From the Toronto Star:

• The model hopefuls
  “The 10 aspiring models include a 22-year-old factory worker from Mannheim, Ont. and a 25-year-old travel representative from Toronto.”

Lee-Anne Goodman of the Canadian Press interviews the Canadian spin-off’s new host:

• Jay Manuel comes north to hometown to host Canada’s Next Top Model
  “When they asked me to come and host the show, it was really important to me to be an executive producer. It wasn’t just a credit. I am involved in the show from soup to nuts, from hiring the right staff to educating them on how the show is done in the States to overseeing every little detail in production.”