Guilty Pleasure Leads to Insight

For some time now, one of my favorite guilty pleasures has been the television show "America's Next Top Model." For those unfamiliar with it, it is a reality show which starts out with twelve young women who aspire to be supermodels. Each week they face a challenge and have a photo shoot, and at the end of each episode they face a panel of judges who review their past and current work. In the ultimate scene, one of the girls is eliminated and sent home, while the rest "are still in the running" to win: the prize not only the title but also a contract with a top agency and a Cover Girl contract. Once or perhaps twice, a girl has withdrawn from the competition, saying they they did not want it enough to take the space of someone who did, or because they realized that they just did not have enough interest.

There are certain things that are fatal to the aspiring Next Top Model: having a lot of potential at the beginning and reaching a plateau, not being properly respectful to the judges (unless one then makes a heartfelt-seeming apology), not having potential ever show itself, being beautiful but not looking like a model, being suspected of not being able to withstand the pressures of the Modeling Industry, or having some habit which is deemed unhealthful, does not seem to want to win, "fades" or not being able to clearly express oneself when interviewed or speaking generally.

The last few "cycles" (a.k.a. seasons) have been less interesting to me for some reason, I believe, because too much air time is given to the catfighting that goes on, as well as it does not seem as if some of the girls are even that, er, attractive. But, I still keep watching...

This morning, while trying to remain upbeat and not think about depressing topics over which I have no control, it occurred to me that choosing one's boyfriend or husband (or the reverse, for men) as one goes through life rather resembles ANTM.

--A potential love interest starts with at least some potential, even if it is just the possibility of potential because he is so pretty or witty.

--A potential love interest is eliminated because it becomes apparent that he does not, in fact, have any potential, whether it is because there are other factors such as toxic parents, still in love with an ex, won't keep a job, etc.

--The ability of the love interest to win the "competition" rides on his ability to survive various challenges (misunderstandings, fights, someone's birthday or an anniversary being forgotten) with aplomb.

--The love interest must somehow make himself memorable to the judge and cause himself to stand out in a positive way.

--The love interest must want to win you and you must feel as if you are a cherished and much sought prize in order for your own interest to continue.

---The love interest cannot coast on past good work. The "plateau" factor can work against him.

--And, sadly, as in ANTM, a contestant who seems to have incredible potential can withdraw from competition for whatever reason. The modeling world may mourn, but you can't force anyone down a runway even if that is where they seem born to walk.