Next week's, Bravo will unveil the second season of Make Me A Supermodel, with a few new faces on board.  Host Tyson Beckford returns but Nikki Taylor has been replaced by Australian supermodel Nicole Trunfio, who will mentor the female contestants.  A new panel of judges are also joining the show, made up of world-renowned designer Catherine Malandrino, model Jenny Shimizu, famed photographer Perou and international model-scout Marlon.  Sixteen aspiring models will compete in New York City for the $100,000 grand prize prize, a contract with New York Model Management, a fashion pictorial in Cosmopolitan magazine, and the chance to become the next great supermodel.  Today, Nicole and Tyson spoke to the press in a conference call about the upcoming season and shared their thoughts on how the modeling industry has changed since they become supermodels.

Q. FutonCritic.com: How do you think the modeling business has changed since you started and would you have wanted to break in at this point in the game?
A. Tyson: I think the kids don't have personality and I don't think they're as talented as we were when I first started.  Now, these kids... you're just picking them off the street.
A. Nicole: They can find people that haven't got any experience or any knowledge about the industry.  I think there is less personality and it is less glamorized.

Q. FutonCritic.com: There's quite a few contestants from smaller states.
A. Tyson: No, I don't think so.  I think we just sought after kids that were different and seem to have a lot more personality.  It's just random.  It wasn't like we went to smaller cities because we wanted to find some unique kids.
A. Nicole: I totally agree.  I'm from the middle of nowhere in Australia and Tyson is from the Bronx.  It really doesn't matter.  It doesn't make a difference where you're from.  If you have what it takes, you have what it takes.

Q. Boston Herald: The first season had real appeal with the personalities with Ben, Perry, and Ronnie.  What can we expect this season?
A. Tyson:I believe they're even stronger. Your'e gonna be blown away.  The first season was good and Ben, Ronnie, and Perry were always playing up to the camera.  I just saw them last night.  Ronnie released a record and they did a little bit of singing last night.

Q. Boston Herald: Do you have an update on Holly?
A. Tyson: No idea.  No idea.

Q. Ebony Magazine: What does it take to be a black supermodel right now?
A. Tyson: Looks wise?  I don't think there's really a look right now.  You got so many beautiful girls coming up but we're in a recession right now.  We, as black models, it's hard already on us because we're in a white industry so we have to fight twice as hard.  We'll get called in on the same casting as everyone else but our books have to be twice as good.  It takes a lot of heart, a lot of soul, and you have to have a really good agent to push you to these clients.

Q. TV Guide: Nicole, what prompted you to want to join the show?
A. Nicole: It wasn't something I was too interested in in the beginning.  I don't watch tv ever.  I have no ambition towards that.  After being informed what it was all about and what I could do for the show, I actually became really interested in it.  I guess it was a mixture between my agency... I really respect their opinion on things...  and an industry that I'm really passionate about.

Q. TV Guide: What was your most memorable moment with the cast?
A. Tyson: The catwalk days were some of my most fun days.
A. Nicole: I liked to go to the house and see them in their own environments and the cheekier side of them.

Make Me A Supermodel season 2 premieres Wednesday, March 4th at 10pm ET on Bravo.

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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