Make Me a Supermodel season 2, premiered on March 4, 2009, is the second season of Make Me a Supermodel. It was broadcast on Bravo.
The new season started with higher than expected ratings after a much publicized campaign on blog sites, bus stops, and shopping malls. A casting special aired prior to the second season opener, featuring many models being photographed, critiqued on the runway, and sent away until only the final choices for the season remained. The casting special premiered in February 2009.
Major changes were made the second season, including viewer voting taken out, with the judges deciding who's eliminated and the winner of the entire show. The number of contestants was also increased from 14 to 16 and reduced the final 4 to only 3 finalists in the finale episode. The judging panel was also completely revamped. Former model Jenny Shimizu, along with fashion photographer Perou, one of the judges in the original British version, French fashion designer Catherine Malandrino and international model scout Marlon Stoltzman all joined as judges. Beckford was no longer a judge, and instead became the sole host of the show and the mentor of the male competitors. Australian model Nicole Trunfio replaced Niki Taylor and became the mentor of the female competitors. Lastly, every week, the featured photographer would choose a model they felt worked the photo shoot the best, and that winning model and their pick would get to go on a casting.
The winner of the competition, chosen by the viewers, would receive: a fashion pictorial in Cosmopolitan magazine, a cash prize of $100,000 from Maybelline New York, and a one-year contract with New York Model Management.
The winner of the competition was 18-year-old Branden Rickman from Central Point, Oregon, making him the youngest and first male model to win the show.
The models flash back to the 1960s with photographer Roxanne Lowit; stylist Rebecca Weinberg serves as a guest judge.
8
"The Simple Life"
April 29, 2009
The models head to the country for a photo shoot with photographer Aliya Naumoff; supermodel Maggie Rizer returns as a guest judge.
9
"Naked Ambition"
May 6, 2009
The seven remaining models carefully choose their accessories for a revealing photo shoot with Bill Diodato.
10
"Rocking and Rolling"
May 13, 2009
The models display music producer Dallas Austin's fashion line and take part in a photo shoot with Patrik Andersson.
11
"Beach Blondes"
May 20, 2009
The models have an outdoor winter photo shoot in New York City; the models wear fashions from the design team The Blonds.
12
"Blowin' Up"
May 27, 2009
The final four models participate in an explosive session with photographer Clay Patrick McBride, then hit the catwalk in tuxedos and evening gowns by designer Catherine Malandrino.
13
"Finale"
June 3, 2009
The final three models take part in two major photo shoots and a catwalk challenge; family members accompany the models to a SoHo art gallery; the judges make a decision.
Photo shoots
Episode 1: Let The Games Begin
The models work in pairs regardless of gender, modeling sleepwear outside, in a suspended Plexiglas box.
The models act out as various types of candy. Contestants were assigned to represent either pixie sticks, lollipops, chocolate, gumballs, candy canes, rock candy, or sprinkles.
The models are suspended by wires and have to pull off sports action shots, in groups.
Featured photographer - Justin Steele
Winner - Amanda
Winner's pick - Kerryn
Episode 4: Mirror, Mirror On The Wall...
The photo shoot is all about reflections; the models have to pose with mirrors and evoke different emotions.
Featured photographer - Indira Cesarine
Winners - Amanda & Branden
Winner's pick - Mountaha & Colin
Episode 5: Menage A Models
The photo shoot was all about capturing a sexual fantasy. The models were portraying military personnel sneaking off to engage in illicit erotic encounters. The models posed in groups of three.
Featured photographer - Joshua Kogan
Winner - Jonathan
Winner's pick - Gabriel
Episode 6: Take A Deep Breath
The models were challenged to pose underwater, entangled in nets.
The models had to capture a hot swimsuit shot in cold weather, while posing with various dead animals from the sea. Sports Illustrated model Jessica Gomes was brought in to individually give the models advice, prior to their shoots.
The models had one chance to capture a shot embodying the "rocker" look, while flames exploded around them in a warehouse at night.
Featured photographer - Clay Patrick McBride
Winner - Sandhurst
Winner's pick - None: All models worked as informal models for Bloomingdale's. As a group prize, each model was rewarded a $2000 shopping spree, while Sandhurst won an additional $2000 for his spree.
Episode 1: The models present clothing from four high fashion designer lines.
Episode 2: Walking in pairs (or solo in Kerryn's case), and using candy as a prop.
Episode 3: The models wear sports underwear with wire shoulder pads and must pose like athletes.
Episode 4: The models are styled as "freaks"; their walks should juxtapose the elegance of their outfit and their shocking make up.
Episode 5: The models wore cross-over styles usually worn by the opposite gender. The men had to appear masculine, while the women were challenged to maintain femininity, on the runway
Episode 6: The catwalk was all about embodying specific emotions brought out by the clothing. The female models were dressed in deep scarlet clothing and had to portray sensuality and "fire", while the male models were dressed in white and had to embody "ice", or smoothness.
Episode 7: The models had a walk-off against their partners from the photo shoot, wearing improv Couture clothing.
Episode 8: The models wore classic tweed, high society outfits with western themes.
Episode 9: The catwalk was all about being an art showcase. The models wore form-fitting clothing, while wearing a large, monarch-filled plastic bubble on their heads.
Episode 10: The models wore bright, playful street outfits, and had the added but optional challenge of walking in Heelys (which all of the models accepted).
Episode 11: The models modeled two looks designed by celebrity designer The Blonds: high glamour and goth. The models were expected to create a character and bring these characters to life.
Episode 12: The models wore high class looks. The male models hit the catwalk in tuxedos and were challenged to embody James Bond, while Mountaha walked in an evening gown by designer and judge Catherine Malandrino.
Post-show careers
Branden: is currently signed with New York Model Management in New York, Wilhelmina Models in Los Angeles and Image Modeling Development in Medford.
Jonathan: is currently signed with Nous Model Management in Los Angeles and L.A. Model Management in Los Angeles. He has since signed a job with Forever 21, appearing in the first issue of Forever 21 magazine.
Mountaha: is currently signed with New York Model Management in New York.
Salome: is currently signed with Click Models in Atlanta.
Jordan: is currently signed with Ford Models in Arizona and APM Model Management in New York.
Amanda: did not pursue a modeling career after the show.
Colin: is currently signed with Basic Model Management in New York.
Ken: is currently signed with PGK Men in New York, The Block Agency in Nashville, and Fuse Models in Raleigh, NC.
