Ep. 4 - Tough Love

One of the most enigmatic things about working on this competition for me is the fact that with each week, I fall more in love with the girls.  As I get to know them all a bit better, I guess that's inevitable, especially with this bunch.  They really are all smart... and articulate... and sensitive.  And their inner beauty radiates far beyond their amazing physical attributes.

"Training" them this week... "preparing" them for the type of media monsters they may encounter should they be successful in suddenly landing in the spotlight as Canada's Next Top Model....was an eye-opener for me.  Until now, I'd only suspected that these girls were smart.  But now, I know for sure!  I was so impressed with how well-spoken they all were and with how they handled themselves in my one-on-one interviews with them.  Tara moved me so much when she talked to me about the irony of having a mother who rather recently went blind-and how she now has to carefully explain to her mother all the wonders of this highly visual fashion arena, so that she can get a true sense of things. No question that this kind of thing has and will continue to make Tara a more sensitive "artist"-and honestly, I think more and more, I want all the girls to come to this realization:  High fashion modeling is indeed an art form, and the more they can appreciate that, the better models they'll be.  I also hope these girls all have the extreme passion for this world that I think is absolutely necessary to succeed.  It's not JUST about winning this competition-It's about a heart and soul commitment that has to be unwavering.  My only concern with some of these girls is fearing that maybe they don't realize just how tough and merciless this business can be.  Do they REALLY love "the art within themselves" enough to stick it out, and plough through the B.S. of the business no matters what?  Unfortunately, toughness counts.