Amanda Chan from the Philippines won best photo for the first photo shoot of Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 3. I agree that Amanda’s is one of the better photos of the bunch. The photo would certainly fit into a Bench Body campaign. However, I think Barbara’s, Monika’s, and Aimee’s (top from left to right) photos are better, and should have been called first.
Barbara‘s photo is the definition of “finding your light.” She is glowing in her photo. She absolutely looks like a jungle goddess here, like she’s announcing to the world “I own this land.” Not to mention, her body is to die for. “Face of an angel, body of a devil” indeed.
You can really see the movement in Monika‘s photo. Like it’s a candid shot of her midway to an exhale. During the episode she was giving a variety of great poses, even flicking her hair around. Her face is absolutely stunning.
Although the judges panned Aimee for having gone through a long time and a lot of prodding to get a good photo, the end result is great.
Those are our favorite photos from Episode 1. Check out the other photos in our episode recap.
Overall, I felt the theme is a bit been-there-done-that. Being shot in the studio didn’t help shake off that feeling. However, it had two things going for it. First, the execution is great. Mike Rosenthal really is a skilled photographer. The photos might have looked even better if the girls were actually in a jungle setting (somewhere in Pulau Ubin, probably?), but then again, it would have been harder to shoot. Second, having the girls pose in swimwear this early tests the girls’ confidence and commitment out of the gate: a great learning experience for all of them.
What do you think about the swimwear theme? Sound off in our comments below.
Who do you think deserved first call-out for her swimwear photo? Vote in our poll below. Poll closes right before the next #AsNTM3 episode.
Amiciness is live-blogging the pilot episode of Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 3.UPDATE: Live blog done. Photos added! Full episode now available online.
Watch the show along with us, on STAR World Asia at 8:45 PM, as we update you with the latest, of course with our own (sometimes snark-filled) comments. 😉
We are only a few days away from the premiere of Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 3. Now that we know more about the upcoming season, let’s meet the models from all over Asia in the running to become Asia’s. Next. Top. Model.
But first let’s talk about that poster. What is up with Georgina Wilson‘s styling there? Everything is a bit too intense.
Now, on to the girls (in alphabetical order):
(Left to right) Aimee (SG), Amanda (PH), Barbara (JP)
Aimee (Singapore)
She may not be related to Carrie Bradshaw but Aimee Rose Cheng-Bradshaw is as fashionable, having been in the fashion industry modelling starting at the young age of 13. After finishing her education, she pursued modelling, and moved overseas, away from her family.
Amanda (Philippines)
Amanda Bianca Chan is the youngest contestant this cycle. She is from Australia and of Filipino and Chinese background. She originally auditioned for the Australian franchise (where Alex Perry also served as judge) but now she’s bringing her youthful charms (she is super adorable, and that accent!) to Asia’s Next Top Model.
Barbara (Japan)
On the opposite end of the age spectrum, half-Japanese half-Brazilian Barbara Akemi Katsuki is one of the oldest this cycle. She was born in Brazil but moved to Japan at five. She started modelling at a young age in Japan, but today she works professionally in Taiwan. Boa sorte Barbara!
Duong Celine Thuy-Vi grew up in the fashion capital of the world: Paris, France. Being a world away from her heritage, she had to face childhood bullies and learn to embrace her uniqueness. She joined Elite Model Look Vietnam and has even walked the runway for Paris Fashion Week.
Franchesca (Philippines)
Franchesca Denise Lagua has been modelling for the past 5 years. She has walked the local runways, including Bench’s biennial underwear show, and Philippine Fashion Week. Side note: Her beau model Garrett Zebley is cute, and the two of them are cute together. Kainggit!
Gani (Indonesia)
Ayu Gani wasn’t initially interested in modelling with her being a fashion student. She changed her mind when she joined a local modelling competition and became an audience favorite. Since then, she has been working as a part-time model.
KB (Hong Kong)
Bringing sexy back is professional model Kirsteen Ching Wing MacGregor Barlow (yes, that is her real full name). She has done commercial work, including TV ads for FOX Channel Asia and FX Asia (both under FOX International Channels, parent company of STAR World Asia).
(Left to right) Kiana (TH), Lorretta (HK), Melissa (MY)
Kiana (Thailand)
Kiana Anora Guyon is of Thai and French descent. She is a full-time student, trained in the martial art of Muay Thai, and can sing. Side note: She looks a bit like Youtube star Kina Grannis, don’t you think?
Lorretta (Hong Kong)
The tallest of the bunch with legs for days is Lorretta Chow: an actress and singer in Hong Kong but born in Canada. She is also a pageant veteran, winning second runner-up in Miss Hong Kong a few years ago.
Melissa (Malaysia)
Not to be confused with the Malaysian representative from Cycle 1 also named Melissa, this cycle’s Melissa Tan Li Hsia is a woman of her own. Having dabbled in the opposite worlds of finance consultancy and modelling, she is now trying a full-time modelling career starting with her joining this cycle.
Marlena Monika Sta. Maria currently works as a fashion model locally. Self-proclaimed fitness freak, she played collegiate volleyball for De La Salle University (DLSU). Her athletic physique also paved her way to victory in Century Tuna Superbods competition in 2013. She originally auditioned for Cycle 2 but did not make the cut.
Rani (Indonesia)
Rani Ramadhany has quite the story: young self-taught drummer turned model. She has been uploading drum covers of popular songs on Youtube gaining millions of views, and her drumming is indeed impressive.
Shareeta (Malaysia)
Shareeta Selvaraj is trying out a modelling career after having been a candidate for Malaysia’s representative to the Miss Universe pageant. She is the perfect representative of beauty and brains as she has a law degree under her belt.
Tahlia (Indonesia)
Tahlia Raji grew up in a family of artists so naturally she went to acting and modelling to express her creative spirit.
These are the 14 girls in the running towards becoming Asia’s Next Top Model. Amiciness’ early favorites are Celine, Gani, and Monika.
Who is/are your favorite/s this cycle? Who will be on top? Vote in our poll and sound off in the comments below.
Don’t forget to catch the pilot episode of Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 3 on March 25, Wednesday, 8:45 PM (Philippine time), on STAR World.
P.S. Did anyone else notice a lot of the girls did the same poses as last cycle (including Katarina’s first photo shoot, and Poojaa’s signature pose)? The AsNTM judges (or whoever picks their pictures) seem to really like these poses.
Asia’s Next Top Model is on its 3rd cycle this year. This week we got a teaser for this cycle, and now we know that it’s premiering this March. Save the date: March 25 on Star World!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rlfhT8nrtU
Aside from the date, here are 3 more things we know so far about this cycle.
We are only a few days away from the premiere of Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 3. 
