Italia's Next Top Model season 2

Italia's Next Top Model season 2
Promotial Photograph of Natasha Stefanenko and the Cast of Cycle 2 of Italia's Next Top Model
Genre	Reality
Created by	Tyra Banks
Presented by	Natasha Stefanenko
Country of origin	Italy
Production
Production locations	Milan, Italy
Running time	60 minutes (including commercials)
Original release
Network	Sky TV
Release	September 23 2008 – present

Italia's Next Top Model, Cycle 2 is the second season of the Italian reality television show based on the American program of the same name. It is broadcast on SkyVivo, a channel of the Italian subscription television Sky TV. It began airing in September 2008 and is currently airing.

The host is once again the Russian top model and actress Natasha Stefanenko. The other permanent judges are Micheal Giannini, art director and talent scout of model agency d’Management, and former top model Nadege Dubospertu. Recurring judges are photographer Ciro Zizzo and fashion Journalist Giusy Ferrè.

The winner of this cycle will receive a richer prize consisting of a one-year-contract with d’Management Group as well as a 150,000 € contract with Max Factor to become its face for the 2009 Italian campaign.

Changes

Ex top model Nadege was a recurring judge during Cycle 1, her conversion into a permanent judge is aimed at making the competition tougher for the contestants, who are heavily criticized by this judge with harsh and ruthless remarks for every single detail on runways or on photos. Actually, producers and judges intended to raise the level of the competition for this season by picking fresher and more high-fashion-looking girls and by putting the aspiring models under increasing pressure, with a more severe evaluation at panel, in order to select a winner that can match the success of Gilda Sansone who won Cycle 1. These changes have made Italia's Next Top Model one of the toughest Top Model spin-offs, compared to the more relaxed attitude of ANTM, and have been welcomed by the viewers.

Episode summaries

Episode 1

Original Airdate: September 23, 2008

After months of castings throughout Italy the 30 pre-selected semi-finalists arrive in Milan. They are welcomed by Natasha Stefanenko, the host, and Michael Giannini, art director of D'Management, in a luxury modern hotel where the final castings will take place.

Soon the girls start their individual evaluation in front of a panel made up by Natasha, Michael, former top model Nadege, model scouts Danilo Di Pasquale and Anna Peggion. Interesting and determined contestants show up at panel, like Claudia B. coming from a small village in Sardinia, Claudia C. karate expert, Diletta the soccer player, Beatrice with an ethereal modelesque look, Claudia M. with a wonderful body and a bubbly personality, Giorgia who shows great self-confidence despite her body flaws or Amy, the Ivorian woman with a hard past reflected in her eyes. Unfortunately, only 20 will continue to the final choice, and the girls are asked to show their walks and potential.

Later on, Natasha reveals the 20 aspiring participants that have passed the selection and some tears are shed by the eliminated ones. But there is no time for rest for the others, since they must face a photoshoot to show their facial intensity to the judging panel.

After the judges' deliberation Natasha welcomes the girls at the final cast selection. Once chosen, the selected contestants show happiness and joy but some of the rejected girls express rude remarks about some picked ones or by saying the judges will regret not casting them.

Episode 2

Original Airdate: September 30, 2008

The 14 finalists are sent to the exclusive sea resort of Santa Margherita Ligure to be immediately put on test by facing their first photoshoot with famous photographer Settimio Benedusi who also worked for Sports Illustrated. The contestants must pose with aggressive but modelesque attitude in front of the sea while wearing bikinis. Some need to be coached, others perform naturally.

Later the excited girls enter their Milan home, but Natasha's letter inform them they will be judged the following day.

At their first judging Amy and Michela are highly praised for their effortless performance, while Claudia B. disappoints the judges with her unacceptable shot and Noemi produces a vulgar photo. Giorgia and Giulia are told to work on their bodies.

Noemi and Claudia B. land in the bottom two for being uncomfortable at the photoshoot and Claudia B. is sent home for losing her determination in front of the camera and having a bad body posture.

• Bottom two: Claudia B. & Noemi
• Eliminated: Claudia B.
• Guest judges: Settimio Benedusi, fashion photographer & Danilo Di Pasquale, model scout

Episode 3

Original Airdate: October 7, 2008

In this episode the girls are announced to get ready for the makeovers, so they reach the Charme&Cheveux salon to find out what they will be. Beatrice is in tears when told to be dyed from blonde to red but she is satisfied with the outcome. Michela and Martina get more radical changes as their hair is chopped off but appreciate the result. Almost all the girls are happy with the changes with the exception of Claudia C. who does not allow the hairstylist to cut a fringe since for her that is not comfortable.

The next day the contestants are taken to their first runway challenge where they must walk wearing Love Moschino outfits showing a happy mood. Noemi redeems herself with a pleasant performance, Giada demonstrates a huge improvement from her first walk, Martina does not impress, Beatrice is liked by Rossella Jardini, the stylist of Moschino, and Claudia M. has troubles with her shoes too small for her size.

In the judging room Nadege is appalled and disappointed with most of the girls, Giorgia is told to have walked with a sad mood, Claudia M. is warned to have done a step backwards by being too maneater when walking. The judges ask Diletta more presence and deeply scold Claudia C. for her poor walk and bad attitude at makeovers. Mary is found again to be walking like a soldier.

Finally Claudia C. and Mary are placed in the bottom two for their dreadful performances but Mary is sent home as her look is considered too commercial and her walk is deemed the worst.

• Bottom two: Claudia C. & Mary
• Eliminated: Mary
• Guest designer: Rossella Jardini

Episode 4

Original Airdate: October 14, 2008

The twelve remaining girls experience the first problems of cohabitation as Martina argues with Michela over cereals while Diletta is annoyed by Michela's lack of interest in other people's needs. A group made up of Giorgia, Elena, Diletta, Noemi and Martina does not seem to get along well with Michela's personality. Natasha is deeply disappointed with this childish attitude and reminds the girls they are there to compete and show an adult behavior.

This week the contestants take part in their first reward challenge. Judge Giusi Ferrè, fashion journalist, gives them a brief lesson on the history of fashion in the 20th century and asks the girls to recreate a vintage look using vintage dresses and clothes from Franco Jacassi's collection. Amy is declared the winner for her elegant look and is awarded with an Emilio Pucci vintage dress.

Then the girl are announced their third elimination challenge. They will pose in two groups for a photoshoot that will be their first printed advertisement where they will be wearing only a pair of Indian Rose jeans and nothing else. Some of them, such as Giorgia and Claudia C., work very well in group, others need to be coached more.

At panel Nadege is still not convinced by many girls' performances. Amy is praised for her never boring look, Noemi is found again uncomfortable in front of the camera and Diletta, although showing improvement in the facial expression, is deemed a broken doll about her body position and reprimanded for not listening to the photographer. Giulia is complimented for her eyes' intensity and for working her body. Elena is found too plain and Martina's face is noticed for her look.

Diletta and Noemi find themselves in the bottom two and Noemi is sent packing for her older look and inability in the photoshoots that placed her at the bottom twice in three weeks.

• Bottom two: Diletta & Noemi
• Eliminated: Noemi
• Special Guest: Franco Jacassi, fashion collection owner

Episode 5

Original Airdate: October 21, 2008

After being told to get ready for this week's reward challenge, the eleven remaining girls meet Rajan Tolomei, make-up artist of Max Factor. He teaches the girls a basic lesson on how to create a natural and fresh make-up useful for castings. Then the contestants are asked to recreate the make-up of a Japanese geisha on their faces using photos of geishas. Giorgia, Giulia and Elena do extremely well but is Giorgia who wins the challenge and she shares the prize with Elena. The reward is a phone call to a loved person.

This week the girls will be evaluated on a runway challenge where the contestants must walk wearing Chantal Thomass sexy and elegant lingerie without being vulgar.

In the judging session Claudia M., Elena and Giada shine because of their improvements on the runway, Giulia is highly praised for being self-confident despite her curvy tighs. Diletta is found bored and scared while walking but Michael and Nadege defend her for delivering a good walk wearing open shoes with pantyhose that can get slippery. Michela is reprimanded for showing lack of confidence by making grimaces at the end of the runway, Amy is scolded for her poor performance and so is Claudia C. for her lack of expression.

Claudia C. and Amy land in the bottom two because of their second lackluster performance on the runway and Claudia C. is sent home.

• Bottom two: Claudia C. & Amy
• Eliminated: Claudia C.
• Guest designer: Chantal Thomass
• Guest judge: Rajan Tolomei, make-up artist of Max Factor

Contestants

In order of elimination

• Claudia B., 20, from Esterzili
• Mary, 20, from Urbino
• Noemi, 20, from Napoli
• Claudia C., 24, from Napoli

Still in the Competition:

• Amy, 23, from Ivory Coast but living in Turin
• Beatrice, 18, from Udine
• Claudia M., 18, from Palermo
• Diletta, 24, from Imola
• Elena, 21, from Vicenza
• Giada, 19, from Monza
• Giorgia, 19, from Torino
• Giulia, 19, from Catania
• Martina, 19, from Genova
• Michela, 19, from Milan

(ages are stated at the time of the contest)

Summaries

Call Out Order

Natasha's call-out order

Order	Ep 1	Ep 2	Ep 3	Ep 4	Ep 5	Ep 6	Ep 7	Ep 8	Ep 9	Ep 10	Ep 11	Ep 12	Ep 13
01	Giorgia	Amy	Giada	Giulia	ClaudiaM
02	Giulia	ClaudiaM	Noemi	Amy	Elena
03	Noemi	Martina	Beatrice	Giorgia	Giada
04	Amy	Mary	Elena	Beatrice	Giulia
05	Elena	Beatrice	Giulia	ClaudiaC	Giorgia
06	Beatrice	ClaudiaC	Diletta	Michela	Diletta
07	Martina	Diletta	Martina	Martina	Michela
08	ClaudiaM	Elena	Amy	Elena	Beatrice
09	Diletta	Michela	ClaudiaM	Giada	Martina
10	Michela	Giada	Michela	ClaudiaM	Amy
11	ClaudiaB	Giulia	Giorgia	Diletta	ClaudiaC
12	Mary	Giorgia	ClaudiaC	Noemi
13	ClaudiaC	Noemi	Mary
14	Giada	ClaudiaB

  The contestant won the reward challenge

  The contestant won the week's reward challenge and was eliminated

  The contestant was eliminated

  The contestant won the competition

  The contestant is the runner-up in the competition

• Notes: episode 1,2 and 3 did not have reward challenges

Challenges guide

• Episode 1: castings
• Episode 2: bikini photoshoot at the sea
• Episode 3: runway challenge wearing Love Moschino outfits
• Episode 4: topless group photoshoot for Indian Rose Jeans advertisement
• Episode 5: runway challenge wearing Chantal Thomass elegant lingerie

Makeovers

• Mary: asymmetric long cut
• Noemi: trimmed, blonder highlights
• Claudia C.: fringe not accomplished
• Amy: longer weaves
• Beatrice: dyed blondish red
• Claudia C.: fringe not accomplished
• Claudia M.: hair straightened, orthodontic appliance removed
• Diletta: 1970s "Charlie's Angels" glamour style hair
• Elena: blonder
• Giada: trimmed, strawberry blonde added
• Giorgia: trimmed, chocolate brown added
• Giulia: trimmed, dyed honey blonde with highlights
• Martina: short bob
• Michela: short crop, dyed Miami blonde

Cycle Statistics

• Total number of contestants: 14
• Oldest contestants: Diletta, 24 years old
• Youngest contestants: Claudia M., 18 years old
• Tallest contestant: Beatrice, 1.82m (6'0")
• Shortest contestant: Claudia M. & Giorgia, both 1.74m (5'8.5")
• Contestants with the most collective challenge wins: Amy & Giorgia, both 1 times
• Contestants with the most consecutive challenge wins:
• Top 3's call-out mean (excluding casting, semifinals and the last judging panel):
• Contestants with the most collective first call-outs: Amy, Giada, Giulia, Claudia M., all 1 times
• Contestant with the most consecutive first call-outs:
• Contestants with the most collective bottom two appearances: Claudia C. & Noemi, both 2 times
• Contestants with the most consecutive bottom two appearances:
• Contestant with no bottom two appearance:

References

• Italia's Next Top Model Official Site
• Main article about the Show