The latest winner of the Next Top Model franchise in Australia, 16 year old Demelza Reveley, has been denied the top prize, with Vogue editor Kirstie Clements declaring the young model did not warrant a cover.
Reveley was instead relegated to an eight-page spread in the back pages â€" the bare minimum of Vogue's contractual agreement with the reality TV program.
The latest series of Australia's Next Top Model was one of its most controversial, with Reveley's bullying of fellow contestant Alamela Rowan drawing sharp disapproval from the judges. In one episode, Reveley brought Rowan to tears by water bombing her and tipping water on her head. Off screen, Rowan said the bullying was much worse, with Reveley and a couple of contestants putting condoms filled with mayonnaise in her bed and chilli in her breakfast.
The judging panel was split over who to declare a winner, leaving the program's audience left to decide the winner. Before the announcement, Reveley was given the chance to apologise for her bullying behaviour. A media fallout ensued with her win, with people aghast that she had won the coveted title due to her behaviour. Clements and Vogue have been publicly lauded for their stance on the issue.
Watch the video to get some insight into the extent of the bullying and the hardline the judging panel takes with the girls.
Reality TV Bullying Scandals
Vogue Snubs Australian Top Model Winner
Trend Themes
1. Reputation Management in Reality TV - Opportunity for implementing strategies and protocols to prevent and address bullying incidents, ensuring a positive brand image for reality TV shows.
2. Ethical Standards in Reality TV - Opportunity to establish guidelines and enforce ethical behavior among contestants, judges, and production teams to prevent bullying and promote a safe environment.
3. Audience Participation in Reality TV - Opportunity to engage viewers through voting or feedback mechanisms to determine show outcomes, giving the audience a voice in the decision-making process.
Industry Implications
1. Television Production - Disruptive innovation opportunity to develop technologies or processes that foster a more respectful and inclusive reality TV environment.
2. Fashion and Publishing - Opportunity to strengthen ethical practices and brand reputation by taking a stand against bullying and promoting positive role models in the fashion and publishing industries.
3. Online Media and Social Networks - Disruptive innovation opportunity to create platforms or tools that facilitate responsible engagement and prevent cyberbullying in reality TV discussions and communities.