Happy Friday! This is a very a special issue because we are together!! Hannah is literally writing this intro on Daysia's couch.

This week Daysia asks for justice for the contestants of America's Next Top Model and Hannah talks about her love for Bend It Like Beckham and the two movies that are coming out that will apparently have every single actor in Hollywood.

Happy reading!

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Daysia and Hannah

This Week's Fixations

Daysia: Reality television producers are notorious for their methods to amp up drama. Unscripted stars may not have lines to read, but they often undergo questionable—even cruel—conditions in order to push forward a narrative that’s good for TV.

Even in such a ruthless genre, America’s Next Top Model appears to stand out as a show that put its contestants through hell. ANTM has received a lot of renewed backlash in the past couple of years, especially for its inappropriate challenges that featured the use of Blackface. Many people wondered how these challenges could even be approved. Recent reports show that the production’s behind-the-scenes problems extended past the decisions to implement racist challenges.

ANTM purported to change the modeling industry, but it appears the show did little for the aspiring models on the show. In a recent interview with Bustle’s Arya Roshanian, season 17’s would-be winner Angelea Preston shared her struggles finding modeling work. After her second of three stints on the show, she tried to make it as a model in New York City but was turned away by agencies because she was on ANTM. Modeling agencies viewed Top Model contestants not as models, but reality TV characters. Preston said that Tyra Banks and the show’s producers did not provide support after the show. Low on money and unable to find work, she participated in sex work for a brief time and was trapped in an abusive environment. After she escaped an abusive pimp, she was contacted to be in the all-stars season of ANTM. She won—but after the production team “found out” about her previous situation, they revoked her crown. (Preston contends the talent manager who brought her onto the about her sex work knew before filming.)

Since the Bustle piece came out, Insider published another report on the show, featuring testimony from over 30 former ANTM contestants, producers, and judges. Sources say the show put them at great physical and psychological risk in the name of good ratings. One crew member said an “element of fear” was built into every photo shoot for drama, and producers would exploit the contestants’ own fears. Models say there was a blatant disregard for their own health and safety, with season 12’s Aminat Ayinde saying that they relaxed her hair even though she told the stylists she was allergic to relaxers. “This is what Tyra wants — this is how we have to do,” was the excuse. Abhorrent!

I don’t know if there are any ways that Banks or producers can repair the damage they’ve done to contestants. I send my sincerest sympathies to the poor models who went through such a traumatic experience. It is truly disgusting that this show, which was presented as an incredible opportunity for people who wouldn’t typically have the proximity to the industry, exploited and dumped so many of its models. At the very least, make Banks and co. pay for their therapy!!!

Hannah: One of my favorite movies from childhood, Bend It Like Beckham, celebrated its 20th anniversary. This movie holds such a special place in my heart. I have watched it so many times, it’s one of my go-to comfort movies. It’s also a shared love with my friend Sabrina. An iconic moment is when we were in Toronto and saw advertisements for the musical. I don’t know how that works but I’m obsessed with the concept.

I really enjoyed this piece in gal-dem which is an oral history of the film: “How Bend It Like Beckham went from benchwarmer to blockbuster.” It also explains the thought process behind one of the most iconic lines of the movie, “Jess, I’m Irish,” which you have probably seen floating around the internet even if you haven’t seen the movie.

Anyways, if you haven’t watched Bend It Like Beckham there’s no time like the present. I feel like it is the perfect blend of being of the moment and also timeless.

On a tangent: I need to take a moment to talk about the casting announcements for two movies: Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. I just feel like every time someone is cast in them it ends up being posted on Twitter and makes me wonder, “What are these movies even going to be like and what are these actors going to be doing?” It’s truly a mystery!

Has Lorde Dropped a New Album?

Hannah is off to see Lorde next week! Hopefully, fingers crossed, as Lorde postponed tonight’s show in Connecticut due to laryngitis. Get well soon, Ella!

She has also been candid about her new rituals post-performance and how she has less stage anxiety with intimate shows.

ICYMI: Bia and J. Cole dropped a drill banger, “LONDON.”

Too Many Tabs

Harper’s Bazaar’s Bianca Betancourt breaks down the appeal of Jack Harlow and how his success has been propelled by Black women.

Janelle James spoke with the New York Times about playing the boss in Abbott Elementary and her inspirations for the character.

Writer Sylvia Obell talked to Serena Williams about her venture capital firm and power moves outside the court for Insider’s first digital cover story.

Plus… Snooki has stern words for Nickelodeon, Brie Larson’s joining the family, Mira Nair’s radical act of love, James McAvoy 🥵🥵, stans that DM their favs everyday, Viola Davis is one of the greatest actors of her generation, Cardi B and Offset’s family affairs, and Syd on her new album Broken Hearts Club.