Model City

I blogged about Model City briefly in a previous post when I talked about Centric TV, the station that offers quality programming for sophisticated African Americans. After missing most of the episdoes I managed to catch a back to back airing over the weekend. Yep that is one of the beauties of having Sky you get to have major OD on the shows you missed. Anyway onto Model City; well it turned out to be better than I expected. The reality show is about RED Model Management NY, which is an agency that employs Black and Latino male models. It features Wendell Lissimore, Ibrahim Baaith, Nelson Nieves, Salieu Jalloh, Zeric Armenteros, and Henry Watkin as they make their way in the modelling world. Model City delves into the double whammy of being a male Black model in a female dominated industry where there are few people of colour. We see the models go on group photo sessions with Upscale magazine and Bleu magazines. Representing at New York Fashion Week by working with top notch designers.But who these gorgeous guys and what is their story?

Salieu is Sierre Leon born and from a devout Muslim family who detest the fact that he is a model. However, despite his rocky relationship with his family Salieu is determined to make it as a model and create a better life for them whether the like it or not. Harlem raised, Wendell is the confident and self assured one who has his sights on an acting career. With a supermodel girlfriend in the form of Sessilee Lopez, it looks like Wendell has it all. Call me a cynic but I just did not buy them as a real couple. I got the impression it was just for face value in order to raise both their profiles, there was no heat or passion or even petty squabbles that couples have. Ibrahim is the eldest of all the models, he was raised in the Nation of Islam which he rebelled against. However the experience provided him with a huge foundation to build on. He graduated from Pratt Institute and is also working as an artist alongside with his modelling. With smarts, talent and looks he was one of my favourite models.

Henry is the guy next door. Sweet and unassuming he has decided to take a year out of college to pursue his modelling dreams. As he comes from a very academic family - all his sisters are at college and he is expected to go - this has not gone down very well with his family, Nelson is the only Latino guy in the pack but has been modelling for five years. The Bronx native was discovered while working in retail and since then has been booked non stop. Nelon has a really nice aura and a fantastic mantra. I loved it when he said he was goal was to be great at what he does and be there for his girl to catch her when she falls. Such a gentleman. Zeric is from Miami and the veteran of the group, having been modelling for quite a while. A real prickly character he is very much like marmite, you either love him or you hate him. He was a real bitch to Nelson one night when the models all went out to a big party which resulted in a bust up. However his scenes with his sister and her baby boy really redeemed him to me. He came across as being so sweet and understanding. 

Model City is a really great show which shows the modelling scene for what it is. As I have ranted on for ages I am not a fan of modelling shows but I really took to this one like cats take to milk. It gave us a taste of what the industry is like not just for a young man of colour but for any model trying to make their mark. Going to go sees to have your portfolio checked out, getting into the groove on a photo shoot and running around during fashion week to fittings and strutting their stuff at Fashion Week. It also made a change to see hard working professionals mastering their craft ad maintaining personal relationships with partners and family rather than seeing a bunch of wannabe models bickering over pettiness. Yes there were a few bust ups in Model City but the majority of the time it was a bunch of brothers working their asses off. Oh yeah and Tyson Beckford makes an appearance in one episode looking more handsome than ever. 

You can catch Model City on BET.

Centric TV

I have not really been a fan of BET but they seem to have raised their game a lot. Centric TV which was formerly known as BET on Jazz, BET Jazz and BET J is a spin off from the parent station, BET. Last year BET J was rebranded as Centric and now contains programmes from an African American perspective aimed at a slightly older audience. The station now has a very sexy portfolio of shows which consist of documentary series and reality shows and they are all really delightful. Well you can't really go wrong with fly on the wall shows about the modelling scene, interiors and the magazine industry. The TV schedule for Centric is enough to make the mouth of any pop culture enthusias water ferociously. I spent most of today checking out the shows and I have compiled a summary of all of them for you below.

Keeping Up with the Jones
This is about the comings and goings of a glossy magazine. Tracy Ferguson is the founder and editor of Jones Magazine which is an IT guide to the high and mighty of the African American community in Houston. It covers fashion, hair, make up and parties. Keeping Up with the Jones shows the non stop drama that goes into putting the magazine together and getting it out on the streets. We see Tracy try to balance running the publication with being a single mum.

Model City
I never had much time for modelling shows but this one certainly caught my eye and held it. Firstly when do you ever see so many hot guys on the screen at the same time? Yes that's right, never! Model City follows four Black and Latino male models as they naviagte the insane modelling world trying to get their big break. Wendell, Ibrahim, Nelson and Zeric of RED Model Management NY are on a mission to make it big in the industry. However in a world that is not only dominated by women but also where Black models are a minority, these guys have their cut out for them. This show is like the film Biker Boyz and has the drool factor.

Leading Women 
This is a documentary which profiles leading African American women who have made a huge splash on American culture on many levels. Movers and shakers such as Gina Prince Blythewood, Mara Brock Ali and Shawn Robinson share with us how they got their first break, their goals and aspiirations and the strong bond they have with their female friends. Leading Men is the male counterpaart which fearures stars such as Tyson Beckford, Boris Kodjoe and Neyo where they talk about their careers and personal lives.

Other shows in the staple are Urban Livin which is an interiors show with a difference. Unlike other shows which concentrate on decor this one looks at the foundation of the home, traditional family values, individual living style as well as event planning and personal style. American Gangster is hosted by Ving Rhames where he looks at harrowing tales about criminal behaviour. This shows takes into account the personal stories from inmates, community leaders, law enforcement officials, social historians and crime victims. Lyric Cafe celebrates the beauty of the spoken word with performances from the best wordsmiths. Lens on Talent is a series which showcases the talents of  up and coming African American film makers. The show is hostes by Sanaa Lathan with the aim of awarding the best candidate the opportuntiy to make a short film.

If you live in the US you can catch all of these programmes on Centric TV. 

For those in the UK you can catch Model City on BET on Wednesdays at 9pm.