For those of you who are fans of Tyra Banks. I got bad news.
She’s a sham. A Phony. A version of this woman you see below:
The truth is that she has manipulated herself to the top of the game.
I may be more in the animation world and how it works, but there are times I get intrigued by certain aspects of the fashion world. They have the same types of techniques as animation — and it takes years for designs to be set up and arrive.
So when Americas Top Model arrived, I felt it was more of the same reality detritus that plagued the rest of the world of TV. I only saw parts of the end of the 3rd cycle, where Isis placed third, but was way ahead of the winner.
There is a feeling in a man’s life — heck, even a culture's lifecycle where something profoundly new — profoundly American — profoundly Detroit, comes around and wakes peoples senses up.
What is this beauty? Absoulte “perfection”. Something the inner city could admire and the fashion world wouldnt look with distain.
Jael Strauss was magic in the bottle — the type of magic you knew Rihanna had with “Pon De Replay”, the type of future that made Claudia, Kathy, Heidi, Kate, Iman, Cindy (Crawford) we all knew they had.
Maybe, the same high tier as Monroe was, if the stars aligned.
But how did this missed opportunity take place? How did Jael end up in Doctor Phil’s show instead of becoming the fashion worlds biggest star?
It Started with a smile, ended up a missed chance.
Jael came in as one of the first 30 that started on the show in Cycle 8. Even though she didnt win many of the challenges on the show, but outside of the bitter fight she had with the other model, Renee, she was nice to the other models. Despite the fact Jael didn't have the best performance in the first week (which deals with an even bigger issue which could have caused the problems), the charm offensive was in full force. Winning Cover Girl of the week in week 7 (while going through tragedies that would have sent other models home) was a crowning achievement.
The biggest episode (of not only the cycle but possibly the whole franchise) came during the pool episode: “The Girl Who Gets Thrown in the Pool”. Let’s set the stage for those that tend to not follow celebrity. 50 Cent is at the PEAK of his power. Nichole Richie, Paris Hilton (along with Miss Lohan and Kim Kardshian) are on ET/Extra/Access Hollywood every night for the last several months because of their partying and getting in trouble with the law. Tyra’s show is getting ratings like mad.
The perfect storm arrives when Jael comes. At first, Jael is talking to Richie, which would later lead into a fight between Jael and Renee (which is what Osteroff wanted because even though Jael and Renee didnt like each other they handled their issues like professionals.) Now Jael pretty much get contacts because she was respectful to Richie and at the time Richie, Hilton and the rest were getting lambasted by TMZ and the like.
Now 50 Cent IMO, is a guy who wants it big and doesnt want to be bothered too much. Im not against him looking back at it. But Jael showed no fear to the guy that who’s claim to fame was getting shot nine times and living. That kinda sorta lead into 50 pushing Jael (semi-playfully) into the pool, with Natasha not knowing what happened joining in. Later, people thought that Jael was going to be eliminated, but with very strong performances, and possibly Twiggy’s seeing the same no fear attitude in Jael, she came in first place.
It was the biggest episode, and has never been duplicated, ratings, star power or otherwise.
It was Jael’s moment and if things went the way it could have gone, it should have gone — it was going to be the watershed moment — something people would say — where were you when you knew this model was going to be a star?
That moment never came. She survived one more week before going to Oz, giving out a charming, if not disappointing performance for her TV shoot test. Jael was eliminated, Jasline later won the contest.
Just like Idol for singing, stars that did get eliminated — went on to become bigger stars themselves. That may been the hope for Jael.
A Broken Seed, Not Allowed to Heal or Grow
Jael had some appearances with some of her connections. She went out to parties, had a relationship — talked to her fans. She had her own clothing line and Otto Management were working on other deals with her. Things were looking up.
But then came the Law, and the issues with her pictures being used in a way that was wrong. The battle left her drained. She settled out of court.
Then came a interview she did with a magazine some time before her troubles started in which she stated some positive things:
I think the entertainment industry as a whole is amazing in the way that it gives artists a chance to be successful, productive members of society. But on the other hand, I feel that there are a lot of people that are only in it for the money and abuse their power in the public eye. I feel the best way for me to make a positive difference is to infiltrate and try to remain honest and aware of the others that absorb the image that I portray. I intend to change the modeling industry to the best of my ability, regardless of winning the contest or not. I am attempting to do so by remaining a compassionate, vulnerable being in the public eye, rather than allowing money or fame to compromise my actions. There are millions of people being affected by the media. I want to infuse them with positive, selfless energy, instead of setting the example of one who is self-centered and money-driven. Individuality is key. We should be true to ourselves.
One thing the show did address was that I am half white, half black. In my eyes, I am very fortunate to be mixed. I feel that I relate to a lot of different cultures. Therefore, I have grown up being free from prejudice. Being that I identify with so many different people, at times it's actually has left me feeling like I don't it fit in with anyone. It has forced me to search more for my individuality, rather than searching to fit. I hope people stop separating themselves from one another and realize that we all bleed red blood. Rich, poor, white, black, Christian, Jewish, gay, straight-We all need love. We are all equal, as long as we put forth energy in the growth and prosperity of our world... I feel that we are only in competition with ourselves when it really comes down to it. If we are strong enough to allow ourselves to be vulnerable in the public eye, while being educated and talented in our craft, we can all be winners.
What she said was so refreshing (even I did disagree with some of it at the time of the interview (2007)) and even though the modeling world hasnt changed much, she was going to be a force in it. A voice like hers was needed then.
Sometimes, Women are Women’s worst enemies:
Tyra, with all due respect, was Jael’s beauty “too good” for the show?
Was it that Jasline coasted to the end and Jael, just went in stride despite her political stances, suffering outside of the contest, and infighting with Renee that you caused you to make the choices you made after Australia?
Why bring back Renee for your syndicated series, a second chance that Jael deserved?
Why bring back Sakai (she was clearly underage) in cycle 10, The aft-mentioned Creepy Chan, and Isis (who thankfuly went through a successful surgery) were given a chance to come back, but Jael wasnt.
It becomes apparent that some people are destined by sheer force of will, to become great — and some in power will do everything to stop it.
Its almost become fait-acompli, the one that sees greatness, tries to destroy it.
Sometimes you must wonder. Could Jael found another way, if Dawn Osteroff was a wiser leader of the CW network when she was in power? The CW, and Bankable Productions had to do a background check. They knew about Jael’s issues and the producers let her in, knowing what she was going through. EVEN THEN, did her and Tyra conspire to ruin Jael’s chances? No. That would be too easy — too explicit a turn.
But the way the contest was set up, the trials were set up as a form of what America was going through — confused heterosexual dealings and forms, political issues that some disagree with, Hollywood at its most banal etc. But yet through all of it — Jael showed a grace, like Lucy in one of the scene’s in Walter Herzog’s “Nosfuertu”. The whole countries culture was going insane — and she was pure sanity.
They set this contest for Renee to win. It was almost too obvious. But when the issue came near the end, and Renee just couldnt take it to the next level. With the meal ticket gone, the best choice was the one who wasnt that talented, but fit a perceived ideal of victory over pain.
They could done there due dillgance and told Jael to wait a bit. Just like they did with Jasline years ago.
The Other Champion From 8 Mile Road Going Through Changes:
Things got worse for Jael. The Brakeup took place between her and her man. To get through the pain, her mother joined her in drug use.
Jael, future star of covers and sliver screen, was prostituting for a hit all over the dying city of the car.
It was the Dr Phil episode, where I watched, and winced.
I was taken a back by this — broken family trying to explain the behavior towards Jael. She, was the victim of the malignant patriarchy that has become gospel to many a man and dictate for many a women to follow.
The episode made me rethink things concerning how parents deal with celebrity/talented children — some parents have built their families with structures that don’t allow money or fame to get the best of them or their kids.
But looking at the episode it just got worse. Her beauty faded — this 21st century Helen of Troy, wrecked and destroyed by monsters inside her family, and outside in the world she entered by those who just promote and breed mediocre results, if it doesnt fit an agenda.
I hyperventilated. The show doesn’t do much but do stories that tend to enter the TBN realm, but this wasnt those shows. I saw the interventions before with other families.
But this one, broke me in a way that I couldn't understand. How can a world that create such beauty — treat it as trash? Hurt it like it was nothing? Didn't care about the potential, that all persons should at least have a chance of having?
I seen worse, but this effected me in a way i couldnt predict. My family was going through a similar issue. It mirrored, almost like a perfect mimic. In sync, in tandem and the pain was left in the floor, like a grenade ready to explode.
It was after the second episode, when Jael was out in the corner of Studio 29 in the Paramount Lot, is when my sadness turned to anger. Not to Jael, nor Dr Phil, or even so much as her parents — even though the mother is really the biggest disspointment of them all.
My anger went to Tyra Banks, Bankable Productions, and Dawn Osteroff. Those three — ironically or not remind me — or better yet their actions remind me of Division from that same Nikita series I mentioned earlier.
But also, some of that hot rage, went to the fashion industry as well.
The Women with the bad hearts:
Tyra Banks, lets be fair; has done a lot in the modeling industry. That’s commendable.
But what she has done since Jael was going through her issues? Nothing.
She helped Isis King become the woman she always wanted to be (which was a very good thing). But for Jael to reach her infinite potential? Nothing.
She brought back Renee, Sakai, and others on both her syndicated and all star network shows. Where was Jael?
Where was the phone call you give to a majority of your models? Was Jael such a threat to you?
What Dawn Osteroff and your other producers did for the sake of ratings in regards to ANTM, was banal, and may have been dangerous.
Nevertheless, where were you Miss Banks, when Jael was lowering herself to men all along 8 mile? Yeah, we men are fucked up in the head and deserve our fate in the final days, but I would be damned to let talent get hurt like this.
This isn't just you Tyra. Its the women that call Kate Upton fat, a pregnant Kim Kardashian a cow, lighten the skin of Beyonce and Rihanna, and all the while the men are confused in what to say, and the women who just want to live and be free from others that hurt them, become powerless under police state games, and hometown -”its only football, don't destroy their futures” nonsense coming out of the protected climes of Stubenville and others away from the Inner Cities were the Gun is the rule, and the women are open for business — paid and non paid.
There are certain women, that act like Amanda — like you Tyra, who just want one more second of power. You shout “treat me with respect” on your show, and CRY in front of millions. But when Jael was crying for anybody to hear, her father turned away, her mother didn't hear her, Ms Osteroff didn't get Jael any help nor told her to wait a few seasons… and YOU, Tyra…YOU… were worried about yourself.
That’s why as a man, as a person — ACTIONS mean more than WORDS. Your actions concerning Jael tell me all i need to know about you as a person. You not to be dealt with on a business level, on a personal level etc.
You would use another like Jael, like a toy ready to be thrown to the dogs only to keep youself the Paragon of all models.
…Dont let your daughters, grow up to be objects of a twisted world:
What i learned when Jael came back on the show, much different than she was, that things with women in the modern era are messed up — possibly beyond repair.
Even though im not always in agreement with my friends who are feminists (regardless of the wave) I truly understand their plight. Sometimes however, I tend to have other ideas to get the to same goal they wish for themselves. It tends to offend them. But in reality — what else can be done?
I don’t want Jael Strass, and her struggles be forgotten, or treated as some joke. Because as a person, it sickens me to see beauty like this fall like leaves to be stomped at. As one who see things in a social context, modern day womanhood lost there best chance of a model to look up to for DECADES on end, and for the side with the keen eye for business, its a loss of untold BILLIONS of Dollars.
All that dispointment, should be lain on the feet of Tyra Banks and her production company- period.
It should be a lesson for all of you, young women that it isnt just Tyra Banks out against you — its both men and women who only see a concept of beauty as a form of social justice that doesnt bring justice. As a form of political stagnation that doesnt bring any sort of monumental change. that forces men to look at the lower, and lower forms of feminine ideals because there is no higher self in them, and these men search for something for 15 mins of shame. And the majority of women accept this because its the RIGHT thing to do because our religions, our inner city and suburban cultures, our governmental structures and media industrial complex says its right and then throws the rug out from under them when everything goes wrong.
Look at Jael, the mirror of a dying city. A nation that cant get its act together. She and Greer (her sister, who wanted to model because she looked up to Jael) could have made the modeling world better for every one involved. But now?
But now, let her be a warning.
Jael is getting better, and hopefully will help others out via Dr Phil and the rest of his team.
As for the rest of the fashion industry — it can go right off its cliff for all i care. The main curse word that the ANTM judges used during some of their critiques, was the phrase “This look is only for the newspapers”. Like that is a bad THING?
The culture needs to stop eating up its greatness, in order to keep a past that wasn't so glorious alive. Thats what it did with Jael. That what it doing to animation. Thats what happening in local, state and federal governments nationwide — all to fit a narrative that only existed in the days of their youth and their teenage years. The rest of the world be dammed to nothingness.
That sadly, the culture that surrounded Jael and other models is what made their choices to use drugs so easy.
Jael was the promise. Named for the Queen that did everything to free her people. But unlike the bibical story, outer forces — claimed ownership of her promise and gave it to others who do not and still do not comprehend the challanges that come with being a model.
Jael was unlucky, and her choices made it even worse.
Don’t let those same mistakes, those choices one makes when all hope seems lost, happen to your loved ones.
And Tyra, if you really believed in the words you said a long time back? Jael is waiting for your phone call.
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